Why read The Boy Who Stole Attila's Horse?

Book cover of The Boy Who Stole Attila's Horse

Book description

A brave, original allegory of our modern world

'It looks impossible to get out,' he says. And also: 'But we'll get out.'

Two brothers, Big and Small, are trapped at the bottom of a well. They have no food and little chance of rescue. Only the tempting spectre of insanity…

Explore

Topics

Genres

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked The Boy Who Stole Attila's Horse as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Em Strang

Author

Repila (b.1978) is a Spanish writer, whose work was recommended to me by a UK publisher: “The Boy Who Stole Attila’s Horse is a work of mythic genius that portrays tragic inevitability in a quite terrifyingly awesome way (I mean awesome in the archaic sense)."

The book tells the story of two brothers – Big and Small – trapped in a deep well and slowly starving to death. The language is precise and gut-wrenching, but the narrative reaches beyond its own particulars – compelling as they are – to work as a furious allegory of inequality and injustice.

What…

From Em's list on The best short novels that offer something deep, uncompromising and stylistically inventive.