WRITEALOT

THE MAN WITHOUT A FACE

Isabelle Holland

 

Published in 1972 and subsequently made into a film starring Mel Gibson, this is a brief novel (157 pages) in the first person, narrated by fourteen-year-old Charles. It’s told with humour and warmth, concerning Charles, his sister Gloria, his mother and a neighbour, McLeod, The Man With No Face, though strictly speaking half his face was okay…

Charles needs extra tuition, and by chance he latches on McLeod to give him his time, keeping the fact secret. The relationship has its ups and downs, and gradually a fragile bond develops, though the ending, be warned, is tragic.