Conrad's War

Andrew Davies always pitches directly at kids which makes it difficult for adults to appreciate his work. In this bizarre fantasy, the nauseating Conrad drags his obese 'great writer's father through a timewarp to bomb Nuremberg and then to escape from Colditz. He glimpses something of the reasons why his parents dislike his obsession with war-but there's no way he's going to end up a goody-goody. The comedy here will appeal to some kids - especially boys dreaming of revenge for paternal inadequacies - and the story moves swiftly throughout. Not worth its Guardian Award but one to try in school.