“The profound tragedy of Aberfan is handled with such grace, the reader cannot help but respond to its underlying message of hope and redemption. Incredibly moving. Exquisitely crafted.” Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry

Book blurb

When we go through something impossible, someone, or something, will help us, if we let them . . .

It is October 1966 and William Lavery is having the night of his life at his first black-tie do. But, as the evening unfolds, news hits of a landslide at a coal mine. It has buried a school: Aberfan.

William decides he must act, so he stands and volunteers to attend. It will be his first job as an embalmer, and it will be one he never forgets.

His work that night will force him to think about the little boy he was, and the losses he has worked so hard to forget. But compassion can have surprising consequences, because – as William discovers – giving so much to others can sometimes help us heal ourselves.

My thoughts

This is a thoughtful and beautifully written story about the heartbreaking tragedy that happened in Aberfan on the 21st October 1966. It is a story about a young man, a newly qualified, who volunteers to help with the recovery work at Aberfan as an embalmer. It is harrowing work under very difficult conditions and circumstances. Reading about it is hard but not overly graphic. It is not hard in contrast to what the families, volunteers and professionals had to deal with on the day and days after of this tragedy nor as the enormity of the disaster unfolded. One hundred and forty four people died in Aberfan 119 of them were children the majority of whom were aged seven to eleven. It feels incomprehensible, it is heartbreaking.

There are scenes in the village and temporary mortuary in the Chapel that are truly heartbreaking yet tell of such courage from the villagers – all of whom would have known those who died whether relatives, friends or neighbours – who worked to bring their loved ones out from under the landslide, to identify their children and family members as they were brought to the mortuary and of those who came to Aberfan to give service in whatever way they could.

The story follows the young undertaker through his life. It shows how his life was affected by what he experienced in Aberfan and how it impacted him. There is also hope as over the years he slowly realises that he can live a fulfilling life not just professionally but personally. The question is whether he can and will take his chance on love and happiness.

Jo Browning Wroe has crafted a story with grace, skill and understanding; it is beautifully and respectfully written, a quietly stunning book that is a testament to all that happened in Aberfan on that day, in the days after and beyond within a story of how one man dealt with his experience. I would recommend everyone to read this book.

Book: Purchased

#20BOS26

Last year Cathy @746books passed on the challenge hosting duties to Annabel at AnnaBookBel and Emma at Words and Peace. 

This year Annabel is hosting alone, with brand new graphics and a new hashtag #20BOS26 so thanks to her for taking this on. I’m sure it will be another great summer (or winter for those ‘down under’) of reading.

My 20 books of summer 2026 list.

Aberfan information

Be advised that information contained in the articles linked below may include details that are upsetting. Read at your own discretion.

The Smithsonian| BBC – 55 years on | History Today | Aberfan: Wales since 1945 – The Queen’s biggest regret

Aberfan Anniversary on 21 Oct 2026 it will be the 60th anniversary of this terrible tragedy. The King and Queen along with Prince William will visit Aberfan for a rare joint public engagement marking the 60th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster.

Program links on Aberfan 19 Oct 2026

Information

Published: First published in 2022 by Faber & Faber Limited

Buy: Faber & Faber | bookshop.org (affiliate link) | Amazon | Hive | Your local library | Your local bookshop

Author: JO BROWNING WROE grew up in a crematorium in Birmingham. She has an MA in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia and is now Creative Writing Supervisor at Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge. Her debut novel, A Terrible Kindness, was shortlisted for the Bridport/Peggy Chapman-Andrews award. She has two adult daughters and lives with her husband in Cambridge.

Author page F&F | Choral favourites | ‘On growing up in a crematorium’ The Guardian |