WHERE SHALL WE RUN TO?: A Memoir: From the author of the 2022 Booker Shortlisted Treacle Walker

This is a marvellous book. His evocation of his childhood, family and place is full of love, care, fear and light - like most of his work. Although he is about twenty years older than me, aspects of his story are identical with my own childhood, which is uncanny and a welcome arm on my shoulder. I too was sad that I could no longer play with the girls when I went to the Big Boys School, as were many of my friends. We used to climb up the fence that separated the the playground into two, and gaze at them. Our version of Garner's teacher Twiggy used to cane us if we were caught, because we were 'filthy', and possibly damaging the fence. Eventually, we stopped climbing up to see the girls, and sorrowfully accepted their loss to us. I wonder if I ever got over it. The book is full of these kinds of distant, yet present, handshakes and friendly arms on the shoulder. I've read it twice, and will soon read it again. Thank you Alan Garner - I have been reading you since The Wierdstone of Brisingamen when I was eight, after having heard it serialised on the Home Service children's story strand on a Sunday. You changed and enriched me, for which I shall always be grateful. Thank you again.

A very descriptive account of the author's childhood in Alderley Edge, Cheshire. For those who have read his fiction books, it gives a good understanding of the author's knowledge of the area. Having grown up just down the road from Alderley Edge, I could imagine the places mentioned with ease. One of his teachers says "be interesting", and this account is certainly that.

Great book to read read enjoyed it

Bought it as a present so haven't read it.

A fascinating read. Garner manages always to stay within the childseye view of these stories of the early years of his life, yet without resorting to a sense of simple-mindedness or forced sentimentality. No adult explanations are given where no adult explanations are required.

I have been a fan of Alan Garner since junior school in the 60's when the teacher read The Wierdstone of Brisingamen to us, and this book is a fascinating insight to his childhood.

Much of my childhood was spent reading and re-reading Alan Garner's glorious tales of Alderley Edge... they stirred my imagination and coloured my adventures in the woods and fields and hills around where I grew up - which were peopled with those faint hints of Arthurian legend.Here we have a gentle, elegant, sparse memoir of his childhood. Very Laurie Lee without the cider.I read it in one sitting and will soon go back to it to savour his prose and revel in his childhood.

Beautifully written account of his childhood. Likeable characters up to the usual childhood antics. A really briskly told and endearing account

Alan Garner’s memoir is an interesting look into the places, people, and events that informed his various writings. A must read for Garner fans!

A set of vignettes, primarily told from the point of view of a young child during World War II Britain. Well written with clever observations. For devoted Garner fans.