"Meet two teenage refugees as they travel across Europe in this hugely compelling, compassionate, and occasionally quirky tale."
A lovely, heartfelt, oh so readable and occasionally quirky story containing huge empathy and thoughtfulness. Two teenagers, refugees without their parents, set off from Syria in the hopes of reaching the UK. I am a huge fan of Gavin Extence, as he has the ability to write with an incredibly light touch while exploring hugely provocative topics. His books often contain a waft of magic, not hocus pocus exactly, but something that makes you stop and think. The story here is told by 19-year-old Zain, older brother to 14-year-old Mohammed, and we meet them as they begin the swim from Turkey to Greece. Simply told, the words hit my thoughts with hammer-hard intensity, and yet there were smiles on hand too. There is a gentle compassion to be found in Zain, and as I read, I took him, and his football-loving brother to my heart. All I will say about the third absolutely fabulous character in this tale is that I won’t forget him! ‘The End of Time’ doesn’t preach, it lets you discover thoughts and feelings for yourself, it just exists, as it is, as the most wonderfully compelling and beautiful story. I have chosen ‘The End of Time’ as one of my Liz Robinson picks of the month - it has a massive tick in the 'fabulous read' box from me.
Gavin Extence is our author in the picture for July 2019, do take a look at the photos he chose in answer to our questions.
Read our Putting Authors in the Picture blog post with Gavin.
| Primary Genre | Modern and Contemporary Fiction |
| Other Genres: | |
| Recommendations: |
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Closing date: 04/07/2026
Beneath the stars, on a stony beach, stand two teenage brothers. They are wearing lifejackets that are too big for them and their most precious belongings are sealed in waterproof bags tucked inside the rucksacks on their backs. Turkey is behind them and Europe lies ahead, a dark, desperate swim away. They don't know what will come next, but they're about to meet a man who does. He calls himself Jesus, the Messiah. He is barefoot, dishevelled and smells strongly of alcohol. And he doesn't believe in chance meetings. He believes he has information about the future - information that will change three lives forever . . . Praise for Gavin Extence: 'Extence has such a dry, witty style of writing' Marie Claire 'Rich, insightful, darkly serious yet also upliftingly funny' Review of THE MIRROR WORLD OF MELODY BLACK, Jasper Fforde 'Delightful, written in a warm, engaging voice . . . It's so good it 'll leave you wanting to change your own life' Review of THE EMPATHY PROBLEM, Independent
The End of Time features in the following genres: Modern and Contemporary Fiction, Family Drama, Liz Robinson's Picks of the Month, General Fiction, Fiction, Recommendations
The End of Time is available in Paperback, Hardback
The End of Time was written by Gavin Extence and published by Hodder Paperback an imprint of Hodder & Stoughton
The End of Time has 330 pages
£9.89
