This started off like Harry Potter, with a 10 year old's birthday being ignored while his brother is the prized favourite, but although the portrayal seems just as extreme there is no redeeming comedy. This is pure abuse.

The evil schoolmaster is left as the only adult in charge on the island, and the cruelty grows. I wondered if this was reflecting anger with an authoritarian school system. The children take over and the Lord of the Flies resonance grows.

However the fa More...