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‘If I stood you in front of a man, pressed a gun into your palm and told you to squeeze the trigger, would you do it?’
‘No, sir, no way!’
‘What if I then told you we’d gone back in time and his name was Adolf Hitler? Would you do it then?’
Zimbabwe, 1980s
The war is over, independence has been won and Robert Mugabe has come to power offering hope, land and freedom to black Africans. It is the end of the Old Way and the start of a promising new era.
For Robert Jacklin, it’s all new: new continent, new country, new school. And very quickly he learns that for some of his classmates, the sound of guns is still loud, and their battles rage on . . . white boys who want their old country back, not this new black African government.
Boys like Ivan.
Clever, cunning Ivan.
For him, there is still one last battle to fight, and he’s taking it right to the very top.
An extraordinary coming-of-age novel . . . a startlingly original debut . . . Charting the change from childhood to adulthood against growing political discord gives the novel a sense of urgency, and the book's intensity, drama and pace leaves a lasting impact. - Bookseller's choice, The Bookseller
A memorable, moving and disturbing coming-of-age story. - Lovereading4kids
Beautifully written. - Independent on Sunday - Hit List
Out of Shadows is one of the best debut novels I've ever read . . . At times chilling and dark, yet strangely hopeful, Out of Shadows is one of those books that I know I'll revisit in the future . . . I can't recommend it highly enough. - wondrousreads.com
Jason Wallace is a writer to follow – there will hopefully be many books to look out for in the future. In spite of my reservations this is a book to be read, to bury a past that has no place in the new Zimbabwe that remains to be built. - The Zimbabwean
This is one of those rare, outstanding books that when you come to the end you know with certainty you will return to it again. It is also a book that is so hard-hitting and thought provoking you feel compelled to tell everyone you know to read it! - Browns Books for Students
A novel to recommend to older readers, particularly those studying Golding for GCSE. - School Librarian
(Out of Shadows is) a provocative story, powerfully written. Some may find the themes difficult, the climax shocking, but Wallace has produced a first novel where all the heat and intensity of an African nation in flux burns on every page. He's a definitely a writer to watch in the future. - The Scotsman
Excellent. (Out of Shadows is) the latest lacerating addition to the boarding-school-as-living-hell genre...read on if you have the courage. The author attended a similar establishment at the age of 12, and gives every indication of knowing exactly what he is writing about. - Independent on Sunday
Terrific debut novel. - The Independent on Sunday |
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Awards & Reviews
Out of Shadows by Jason Wallace 
'Excellent. [Out of Shadows is] the
latest lacerating addition to the
boarding-school-as-living-hell genre
... read on if you have the courage.
The author attended a similar
establishment at the age of 12,
and gives every indication of knowing
exactly what he is writing about.' Independent
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Elmer's Special Day by David McKee 
'The first Elmer book seemed like a great and original one-off, McKee's extraordinary imagination and colourful art have between them maintained originality and delight over all these years: amazing.' Chris Brown, School Librarian
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