Sue Divin's Runaway Road is a riveting and moving story of family and belonging set in contemporary Northern Ireland, perfect for fans of Margaret McDonald's Glasgow Boys.
'Moving, funny, cinematic, compelling' - Bernie McGill
'This powerful, immersive story explores difference and belonging with real compassion and thoroughly engaging wit' - Byddi Lee, author of Barren
Ezra is 16. He's no stranger to crossing the line, but this time it's really bad - and there's no going back.
His only hope of escape is to cross another line, the Northern Irish border, but that will mean leaving behind the only thing that really matters, his little sister, Evie.
Evie is 9 and sees it differently. Ezra took her into care, into safety, the last time they ran away. Why shouldn't she go on the run with him now? Set along the Irish border, this powerful, immersive story explores difference and belonging through characters who see and feel the world differently, with real compassion and thoroughly engaging wit. Runaway Road is an absolutely gripping read, the sort of book it's impossible to put down. It's full of twists and turns, hilarious observations and genuinely moving moments. You'll miss spending time with Ezra and Evie the second you finish reading this book. Sue Divin is a brilliantly clever writer. The young voices of Ezra and Evie are pitch perfect; their journey across the border is adrenaline-fuelled; the dialogue sparkles with wit. Moving, funny, cinematic, compelling. As Evie might (not) say: 'This was very popular with me.' Runaway Road is a compelling story which asks us to contemplate where disadvantaged young people today find safety. We journey with Ezra and Evie into an unknown future, witnessing the forgiveness of good friends, grace in a bag of Monster Munch, and the hope that shines a light from the other side of an invisible border. This is a startlingly good book… Divin's character creation is impeccable… It would be a hard-hearted reader indeed who is dry-eyed at the conclusion of this powerful and ambitious novel. This is a startlingly good book... Divin's character creation is impeccable... It would be a hard-hearted reader indeed who is dry-eyed at the conclusion of this powerful and ambitious novel.
