Voyages in the Underworld of Orpheus Black

Voyages in the Underworld of Orpheus Black is a lyrical and dreamlike story of two brothers in conflict amidst the devastation of WWII London.

Harry Black, a conscientious objector, wakes in hospital following a bomb blast.  He learns that his soldier brother Ellis is missing following a V2 rocket raid. In a state of psychological crisis, Harry begins to blur the distinctions between reality and fantasy, particularly his unpublished sci-fi novel, a re-telling of the myth of Orpheus.

Driven by visions of Ellis still alive, Harry discharges himself from hospital and begins a search for his brother.  He is helped in his search by Agatha, a nurse at the hospital and a Jewish German refugee.  His search leads him deep into the city’s Underworld/Hades, run by Old Jimmy and his murderous gang of thugs.

This is a quite unique novel, told in a mesmerising blend of poetry and prose by Marcus and Julian Sedgwick, with fantastic illustrations by Alexis Deacon.

Nominated for the Carnegie award, and deservedly so, this is a complex and richly rewarding novel.