Abandoned Quote by John Boyne
“I started reading Dickens when I was about 12, and I particularly liked all of the orphan books. I always liked books about young people who are left on their own with the world, and the four children's books I've written feature that very thing: children that are abandoned by their families or running away from their families or ignored by their families and having to grow up quicker than they should, like David Copperfield - having to be the hero of their own story.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Boyne on Writing Orphan Stories, 2020
The author explains his fascination with stories of abandoned children, reflecting his own early reading of Dickens and how it shapes his narratives about youthful resilience and self‑reliance.
In simple terms: He loves stories of kids left to fend for themselves, inspired by Dickens.
Key Takeaway
Write characters who grow up fast and own their destiny.
Themes
abandonment
resilience
coming of age
self‑reliance
literary influence
Mood
reflective
empathetic
Type
literary
personal
When to use this quote
- young adult fiction
- character development workshops
- school reading programs
- mental health counseling for teens
Key Concepts
orphan narratives
heroic self‑construction
social neglect
Questions to Reflect On
- How does portraying abandoned children affect readers’ empathy?
- What responsibilities do writers have when depicting vulnerable youth?
A Different Perspective
Such stories may romanticize hardship, overlooking real trauma.
![“We all are [normal]. Their idea of normal just happens to be different to some other people's idea of normal. But this is the world we live in. Some people simply cannot accept something that is outside of their experience.” quote by John Boyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3c7/john-boyne-2944_accepting_we-all-are-normal-their-idea-of-normal-j_93959.jpg)
