The Boy Who Stole Attila's Horse

By Ivan Repila, Sophie Hughes (translator),

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…

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?

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…

Want books like The Boy Who Stole Attila's Horse?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 81 books like The Boy Who Stole Attila's Horse.

Browse books like The Boy Who Stole Attila's Horse

Book cover of The Blind Owl
Book cover of The Notebook, the Proof, the Third Lie: Three Novels
Book cover of The Vegetarian

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,188

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in brothers, hope, and allegory?

Brothers 114 books
Hope 18 books
Allegory 41 books