How Many Miles to Babylon?

Jennifer Johnston's novel is set during World War One. A condemned Irish officer awaits execution after shooting his childhood friend to save him from a firing squad.

How Many Miles to Babylon? by Jennifer Johnston and published in 1974. Alec Moore, an Anglo-Irish officer recounts his friendship with Jerry Crowe and the events of World War One.

How Many Miles to Babylon? explores how a rich, lonely boy finds an ultimate, lifelong friendship that contrasts sharply with his cold and toxic family life.

Written as a chapterless memoir, the novel uses childhood flashbacks to present an emotional, free-flowing stream of significant events in Alec's life.

Examples exam questions on the novel How Many Miles to Babylon?, and an answer to one of those questions, to help you revise and prepare for your CCEA English Literature GCSE.