A Kestrel for a Knave

A Kestrel for a Knave

Summary

The classic book that inspired Kes, the famous film, now published as a Penguin Essential for the first time.

Barry Hines's A Kestrel for a Knave was published in 1968, and was made into one of the key British films of the sixties. Billy Casper is beaten by his drunken brother, ignored by his mother and failing at school. He seems destined for a hard, miserable life down the pits, but for a brief time, he finds one pleasure in life: a wild kestrel that he has raised and tamed himself.

About the author

Barry Hines

Learn More

Sign up to the Penguin Newsletter

For the latest books, recommendations, author interviews and more