Book Review – My Name Is Leon

A heart-wrenching exploration of
the world through a young boy’s eyes, Kit de Waal’s debut novel follows
nine-year-old Leon on his journey from agonising loss to love and identity. 

The
decline of his mother’s mental health sends Leon and his brother Jake tumbling into
the arms of Maureen, who carves out a space in her heart and her home for the
siblings. But when Jake is offered up for adoption, Maureen cannot shield Leon
from the injustices of the outside world, much less the anger and grief
bubbling within him. 

My Name Is Leon is simple yet highly expressive. Told entirely from the
perspective of Leon, a mixed-race child, the novel touches on issues such as
racism and the shortcomings of the Social Services system without being
didactic. While the story itself builds slowly, almost tentatively, it is by no
means boring thanks to its protagonist’s insight and poignant honesty. 

De Waal’s delicate prose wound
its way through my mind and stayed there, stirring up my emotions for days
after I’d turned the final page. This is a beautiful novel. 

Amy Bouwer
www.writerswrite.co.za
4/5

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