Published in 2008, When We Were Romans is a charming and simultaneously haunting novel told from the perspective of Lawrence, a nine year old. Lawrence’s mom decides to abruptly leave their home in London in order to flee from the father of Lawrence and his even younger sister, Jemima, who she is convinced is out to harm them. I found myself thoroughly absorbed in Lawrence’s narrative — the novel is as much an exploration of childhood as it is an exploration of life itself. Both my eighteen and nine year old self could relate easily with Lawrence’s tribulations and experiences, or lack thereof.
Of course, the narrator’s perspective is narrow, and Kneale makes full use of Lawrence’s naïvety to explore the nature of the confusions and fears of childhood.
Make sure to check this one out. Literally. From the library. Catch my drift?
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