Romano Gorlei

Dear Mr Horwood I have just finished reading "The Boy with No Shoes" and wanted to tell you that I have not read a book that has moved and captivated me with such force. I gasped and sobbed through much of it, especially the later part: from the exposure of Captain Flax by David Ramsey at the Top Award ceremony, to Mrs Bubbles being reunited with her twin brother in France. I literally jumped out of my chair when David tells the school audience that Captain Flax shouldn’t be Head of the school because he interferes with little boys. And I was overwhelmed with emotion and tears streamed down my face when Monsieur le Maire leads you to the discovery of Philippe Dupuy, brother of Véronique. Good grief!!! My mother found your book at a charity bric-a-brac shop in Cape Town. It caught her eye because of the photograph of you on the front cover which reminded her of me when I was a young boy. After her read of the book, she passed it on to my two sisters and then, years later, to me. The beautifully written book resonates with me in so many ways. I feel connected because I too have walked the footsteps of youth's despair, perhaps more so in your brother Michael’s way, than yours. Your book has helped me make sense of so much of my life growing up as a young boy in Cape Town. The sea was my teacher, Table Mountain my refuge. Thank you, Sir, so very much. May you remain safe and healthy during these strange times of Covid-19. Much love and respect. Romano Gorlei