The Last Boy is a completely compelling piece of historical fiction that will capture readers’ hearts and minds. It tells the story of a young chimney sweep in 19th century Britain. Unfortunately small, Brewster was sold to Master Sweep Wyer when he was 6 years old. Now, at age 12, he has one wish – to be the last climbing boy.
A gift for maths, probability and the science of the stars pulls Brewster into a life beyond his climbing family. His ability to work out calculations and predict the arrival of a magnificent comet draws the attention of a wealthy lady who has a wish of her own. Lady Rosse has the most amazing telescope and a passion for photography. Her family’s technological interests and ground-breaking inventions call to Brewster and, as if by magic, he finds himself starting a new life in her care.
But this new life isn’t going to be easy. Lady Rosse expects great things from him in return for help in making his wish come true. Brewster would do just about anything to protect his climbing family and change the lives of young sweeps forever.
The reality of life for the sweeps is utterly heartbreaking. Based on true experiences, each welt, blister, empty stomach and sooty cough is keenly felt by the reader. There is no escaping the horrors of these young lives. As a result, Brewster becomes a character readers want to champion. He must succeed because the alternative is too much to think about.
Inequality of class, education and opportunity leaps off the page. Those who are kind to Brewster make such a difference while those who are cruel spark realisation of the harshness of the time. The contrast of superstition versus knowledge is also striking. Farmers worried about their crops and the curse of the comet stand out against the people who understand the science. Brewster insists it’s “only dust” – just like the soot from the chimneys that is “only dust” but has the power to cause so much harm.
The characterisation of The Last Boy is exceptional. Brewster lives off his intelligence, knowledge and ability to be kind. He shows patience and respect even when he is treated with none. His tendency to steal knowledge wherever he can sets him up for the opportunity of a lifetime as a part of Lady Rosse’s plan. The secondary characters of Lady Rosse, Elsie, Alice, Charles, Dr Grubb and Master Sweep Wyer are all products of their time. They each have a profound impact on Brewster – and the reader.
This is a book that leaves the reader thinking. I’m still struck by loss, sadness and hope that surrounds these children. The Last Boy would be an outstanding choice of class book to accompany an UKS2 topic on the Victorians or Industrial Revolution.
Thank you to Mikka, Everything With Words & Eve McDonnell for inviting me to take part in this blog tour! Don’t miss the rest of the posts on the tour.
You can read my review of The Chestnut Roaster, also by Eve McDonnell, below:
Books by Kate Heap:
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