The Boyhood of Cain

'Terrific.'Guardian
'A powerful, searing tale.' André Aciman
'I read this book with my heart in my mouth and could not put it down.' Mary Costello
'Amherst has created a young protagonist of extraordinary depth and complexity.' Nathan Filer
'A beautiful coming-of-age story.' Michael Magee


A poignant debut novel about a boy on the precipice of adulthood, struggling to understand how he might give and deserve love.


Danny's family live in a large house close to the school where his father is headmaster. At school, his father's importance gives Danny certain privileges, but it also sets him apart from his classmates. When a new boy Philip, for whom everything seems easy, arrives, he surprises Danny by wanting to be friends. So when he and Philip are invited to work after school with inspiring, artistic teacher Mr. Miller, Danny believes he has found somewhere he can shine.


Until Danny's world tilts: his father loses his job, and their house. And then Danny finds himself shut out from Mr. Miller and Philip's world too. Desperate to make amends, he keeps trying to find a way back in, but will Danny's efforts send things spinning beyond everyone's control?

Readers love The Boyhood of Cain

'Beautifully written study of childhood innocence into adolescence. Short but perfectly formed.'

'Emotional and very atmospheric.'

'So evocative.'

'The book captures the delicate, almost ethereal atmosphere of English summers and schoolyard anxieties.'

'The insight into the mind of the boy is exceptional and the result is very moving.'