| Children of the Sun | |
| Author: | Morris West |
| Country: | Australia |
| Language: | English |
| Genre: | non fiction |
| Publisher: | 1957 |
| Media Type: | |
Children of the Sun is a 1957 non-fiction book by Morris West, an investigation into the slums of post-war Naples. It was his first international success.[1] The US title was Children of the Shadows: The True Story of the Street Urchins of Naples.[2]
The book was a best seller in Europe and England and marked a turning point in the career of West. The Sydney Morning Herald said "with this work, West not only found his way as a writer but discovered the theme that would underpin almost all of his subsequent books — the nature and misuse of power. Of the 18 novels he was to write post-1957, 15 are on this subject."[3]
West researched the book over six months in Naples, meeting Father Borrelli who worked with the street boys of Naples.[4]
In 1959 it was announced the show would be adapted for the Australian anthology series Shell Presents.[5]
It was adapted for ITV anthology television series ITV Television Playhouse in 1961.[6]