Working on his 'A' level photography project, Greg's interest in the history of a ruined mansion becomes more personal as he slowly unearths the fate of its last inhabitants at the time of World War I, and the links with his own life.

Linda Newbery has written a most unusual novel which considers, in depth but with great sensitivity, some challenging questions about the development of adolescent love, sexuality and spirituality. The Shell House describes Greg's discovery of his true feelings, and vividly portrays the conflict of emotions that disturb him. The action intersperses episodes from Greg's life in the early twnty-first century, with those of the son and heir to the mansion during the 1914-18 war as both characters face the dilemma of their sexual orientation. For Edmund, the soldier, it becomes clear that love lies not with the 'suitable' fiancee chosen by his family but with a fellow soldier. When his lover is killed, Edmund rejects both his faith and his background and contrives to begin life anew. Greg's realisation of his sexuality is not so clear cut. He is sexually attracted to girls, but also to another boy, who is gay. Greg is instrumental in the spiritual doubts which trouble his closest female friend but the experience encourages him to re-examine his own beliefs.

Newbery writes with great insight and tenderness. The structure of the novel, each chapter opening with the description of an image which encapsulates that chapter could provide an excellent focus for English/ creative writing as would Edmund's poems about his experiences in the trenches: this puts the study of the War Poets in a real life context. A study of literary imagery could be be encouraged by the rich image of The Shell House, the grotto in the grounds of the mansion metaphorically stands for the 'shell' of the ruined house, for the explosive shells used in warfare and for the 'inner shell' that Edmund and Greg must face. As a resource for PSHE, Newbery's novel cannot be overrated: there are few books for teenage readers that consider issues of sexual orientation and spirituality with such empathy and truth.

2007-12-28