A parent should reach for this book when their child is feeling a bit lonely, isolated, or is a daydreamer who senses a bit of magic in the everyday world. Faraway Things follows Lucian, a boy who feels adrift until he discovers a beautiful, mysterious cutlass on the beach. This discovery connects him with a resourceful girl named Orla and a formidable elderly woman, and together they must protect the sword from strange, persistent pursuers. The story beautifully explores themes of loneliness, the courage it takes to trust others, and the wonder of finding friendship in unexpected places. Appropriate for imaginative middle-grade readers, it's a quiet, powerful adventure that validates feelings of being an outsider and celebrates the magic of connection.
The main character's loneliness is a key theme, especially at the beginning of the story.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals metaphorically with loneliness and the feeling of being an outsider. Lucian's isolation is palpable at the start. The peril from the pursuers is consistent but not graphic. It's a secular story whose resolution is hopeful, emphasizing the power of found family and shared experience over possessing a magical item.
Ideal Reader
This is for an imaginative, slightly introverted child aged 9-11 who feels a bit on the outside of things. It's perfect for the kid who stares out the window, longs for a secret adventure, and needs to see that bravery isn't about being fearless, but about acting in spite of fear, especially with friends by your side.
Parent Prep
The book can be read cold. A parent might preview the descriptions of the goat-legged men if their child is particularly sensitive to 'monster' characters, but they are more strange and persistent than truly terrifying. A parent hears their child say, "I feel lonely," or "I wish something exciting would happen." The parent may observe their child struggling to connect with peers or retreating into daydreams.
Age Experience
A younger reader (8-9) will be captivated by the adventure: a magic sword and mysterious pursuers. An older reader (10-12) will connect more deeply with Lucian's internal state of loneliness, the nuances of his friendship with Orla, and the allegorical nature of the "faraway things" we all long for.
What Makes It Special
Unlike high-fantasy epics, this book grounds its magic in a realistic, contemporary setting. Its power lies in its quiet, lyrical prose and its deep focus on the emotional reality of a lonely child. The magic feels plausible and personal, making the themes of connection and courage more resonant and accessible. It reads like a modern fable.
Read plot summary
Lucian, a boy living a quiet, somewhat lonely life by the sea, discovers an ornate, possibly magical cutlass washed ashore. He tries to keep it secret, but is soon joined by a resourceful girl, Orla, and a tough-as-nails elderly woman from the nearby flats. Together, they must outwit and evade a pair of mysterious, persistent goat-legged men who are determined to reclaim the "faraway thing." The adventure tests their courage and forges an unlikely but powerful friendship, shifting the focus from the magical object to their bond.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Lucian decides not to tell his dad about the cutlass at first. Why do you think he kept it a secret? Would you have done the same thing?
2
The goat-legged men are very determined to get the cutlass back. Do you think they were evil, or just trying to reclaim what was theirs? What makes someone a 'bad guy' in a story?
3
Orla is very different from Lucian. She is more direct and confident. How did their differences help them work together as a team?
4
At the end of the story, Lucian has the friendship of Orla and the woman from the flats, but not the cutlass. Was this a good trade? What do you think the real 'treasure' was in this book?
