The Winslow Boy
The Winslow Boy
Book Brief
128
Play • Fiction
London, England • 1910s
1946
Adult
14+ years
Super Short Summary
The Winslow Boy by Terence Rattigan, set in 1912, follows the Winslow family's determined efforts to clear the name of fourteen-year-old Ronnie Winslow, who is expelled from naval college for allegedly stealing a five-shilling postal order. As they hire the nation's best barrister, they risk their financial stability and face societal pressures while seeking justice for Ronnie.
Contemplative
Inspirational
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
757 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Terence Rattigan's The Winslow Boy is widely praised for its intelligent dialogue, richly drawn characters, and compelling exploration of justice and family honor. Reviewers commend its period detail and moral complexity but note a sometimes slow narrative pace. Overall, it is celebrated for its emotional depth and enduring relevance in addressing social and legal issues.
Who Should Read The Winslow Boy?
A reader who enjoys The Winslow Boy by Terence Rattigan likely appreciates intellectually engaging plays that explore themes of justice, family, and honor. Fans of works like Arthur Miller's The Crucible or Henrik Ibsen's An Enemy of the People will find similar dramatic tension and moral questions.
757 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
The Winslow Boy is based on a real-life British legal case from 1908, known as the Archer-Shee case, involving a young naval cadet accused of theft.
Terence Rattigan originally wrote The Winslow Boy as a play, which premiered in 1946 at the Lyric Theatre in London and became a significant success, cementing Rattigan's reputation as a leading playwright.
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The play has been adapted into several films and television productions, including a notable 1948 film directed by Anthony Asquith, which is acclaimed for its faithful adaptation of Rattigan’s work.
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128
Play • Fiction
London, England • 1910s
1946
Adult
14+ years
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