![Boyne, John FICTION PAPERBACK Like New John Boyne: The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas [2008] paperback](http://chaptersbookstore.com/cdn/shop/files/boyne-john-john-boyne-the-boy-in-the-striped-pyjamas-2008-paperback-xe81862305274-1259791678_{width}x.jpg?v=1790198437)
![Boyne, John PREORDER FICTION New John Boyne: The Weight of Angels [2026]](http://chaptersbookstore.com/cdn/shop/files/boyne-john-john-boyne-the-weight-of-angels-2026-9781529943849-1259181716_{width}x.jpg?v=1789690479)
![Boyne, John & Jeffers, Oliver IRISH FICTION Very Good John Boyne: Stay Where You Are and Then Leave [2015]](http://chaptersbookstore.com/cdn/shop/files/boyne-john-jeffers-oliver-john-boyne-stay-where-you-are-and-then-leave-2015-xv81250062864-1255545259_{width}x.jpg?v=1787511638)
![Boyne, John IRISH FICTION Like New John Boyne: Mutiny On The Bounty [2009] paperback](http://chaptersbookstore.com/cdn/shop/files/boyne-john-john-boyne-mutiny-on-the-bounty-2009-paperback-xe80552773928-1253640718_{width}x.jpg?v=1786214833)
![Boyne, John BARGAIN IRISH FICTION New John Boyne: All The Broken Places [2022] hardback](http://chaptersbookstore.com/cdn/shop/files/boyne-john-john-boyne-all-the-broken-places-2022-hardback-9780385688055-1235115271_{width}x.jpg?v=1777753058)
The life Oscar Wilde never had - reimagined by John Boyne in his most ambitious and emotionally powerful novel yet.
''Exceptionally moving... A granularly imagined, witty, hugely pleasurable read'' Neel Mukherjee
''Wise, imaginative, funny, and extremely moving'' Tan Twan Eng, Booker longlisted author of The House of Doors
''A richly inventive multi-media novel of literary might-have-beens'' John Banville, Booker prize winner of The Sea
''A spectacularly cheeky piece of speculative fiction, gleefully celebrating the possibilities of queer genius'' Patrick Gale
__________
Can one rash decision prove the difference between a life well lived and a life destroyed?
When the Marquis of Queensbury left his calling card at the Albemarle Club in February 1895, it bore only his name and five words: ''For Oscar Wilde, posing Somdomite''. The famous playwright sued for libel, which led to his arrest, criminal prosecution and imprisonment. From then on, his gilded existence spiralled into public disgrace and an early death.
But what if he had simply ignored the insult?
Rather than dying impoverished in Paris at forty-six, what if he had lived to bear witness to the momentous events and cataclysmic changes at the start of the twentieth century, and even influence some of them? What if the second half of his life were as celebrated, dramatic and tumultuous as the first?
Like Maggie O''Farrell''s Hamnet and Percival Everett''s James, John Boyne explores one of the great what-if stories of modern literature, giving the great Anglo-Irish playwright an opportunity to take an entirely different path.
Readers are loving THE WEIGHT OF ANGELS:
''Remarkable, funny and very touching''
Enjoyed this book so much I bought The Picture of Dorian Grey''
''I devoured it in just a few days. Completely transported!'' READER REVIEW
FAQs
"Who is John Boyne?
John Boyne is an award-winning Irish author from Dublin, best known for The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and The Heart’s Invisible Furies. The Weight of Angels is his imaginative new novel about Oscar Wilde.
Why did Oscar Wilde sue the Marquess of Queensberry?
In 1895 Queensberry left a card at Wilde’s club publicly accusing him of homosexuality. Wilde sued for libel and lost. He was then prosecuted and sentenced to two years’ hard labour, and died in Paris in 1900. The Weight of Angels imagines what would have happened if he’d never sued.
Is The Weight of Angels out in paperback?
Not yet. The hardback is available now, and the paperback is due in May 2027. The hardback is the edition to choose if you want to read it first or give it as a gift.
Will I be notified when my order ships?
Yes. You’ll receive an email from Chapters Bookstore as soon as your order is dispatched. In-stock books are usually sent within 72 hours."
- Publisher Name:Transworld Publishers Ltd
- Product Format:Hardback
- ISBN: 9781529943849
- Author:Boyne, John
- Publication Date:2026-10-01
Refund Policy
If you are not satisfied with your order in any way, get in touch. We have an excellent customer service record and we will do our best to ensure you are pleased with your purchase.
📄 Exercise Your Right of Withdrawal
Under EU consumer law, you have the right to withdraw from your purchase within 14 days of receiving your order, without giving a reason. To formally exercise this right, use the button below. This is a distinct function separate from our general returns process.
Your right to cancel
If you order online, you have the right to cancel your order within 14 days of receiving your goods, without giving a reason. This cooling-off period runs from the day you (or someone you nominate) receives the last item in your order. To cancel, contact us at shop@chaptersbookstore.com stating your order number and your wish to withdraw from the purchase. Once we've confirmed your cancellation, you have 14 days to send the goods back to us.
Condition of returned items
To be eligible for a refund, your item must be returned unworn, unused and unread, in its original packaging, and in the same condition you received it. You'll also need your receipt or proof of purchase. If your return is based on the item's condition on arrival, please include a photo so we can advise the best resolution.
Faulty or damaged items
Please inspect your order on arrival and contact us immediately if an item is defective, damaged, or not what you ordered. Separately from the 14-day cancellation right above, you're entitled to a repair, replacement or refund on faulty goods for up to two years from purchase, under standard consumer guarantee rights.
This guarantee covers manufacturing faults only, such as printing errors, missing pages, or binding defects present at the time of purchase. It does not cover damage arising from normal use or wear, including creased spines, worn covers, marked pages or general signs of reading. If you're unsure whether an issue qualifies, send us a photo and we'll be happy to advise.
How to return
To start a return, contact us at shop@chaptersbookstore.com. If your return is accepted, we'll send you a return shipping label and instructions on how and where to send your package. Items sent back to us without first requesting a return will not be accepted. If a return is due to an error on our part, we'll cover the postage cost.
Exceptions and non-returnable items
Certain items cannot be returned, including custom products, special orders, sale items and gift cards.
Trade-In Programme
If you're trading in previously owned books rather than returning a purchase, please see our separate Trade-In Programme terms, which operate independently of this policy.
Refunds
Once we've received and inspected your return, we'll let you know if the refund has been approved. If approved, you'll be refunded automatically to your original payment method. Please allow some time for your bank or card provider to process and post the refund.
Free Delivery in the Republic Of Ireland on all orders over €30. Standard Delivery Charge in Republic of Ireland of €5 for all orders below €30.
Delivery is subject to warehouse availability. Out-of-stock items will be shipped as soon as possible, upon arrival from the manufacturer/publisher. Please take shipping time into consideration.
