Boy's Life
Ratings70
Average rating4.4
This book was recommended by a podcaster on YouTuber I happened across during a sleepless night (will try to find the link later).
What a pleasant find! This book is a coming-of-age story mixed with late-60s small town life with a dash of civil rights and a smidge of Southern Gothic plus a little supernatural/voodoo magic. And maybe a few other things I'm not including. It reminds me a bit of Stephen King's best books and stories, but set in Alabama instead of Maine.
Occasionally, during the intro and outro chapters, the author got a little too folksy and wistful about the good old days. Otherwise, the characters were really well-done and the story interesting. Some reviewers felt there was no plot, but I think there's a lot here about learning to face up to fears, relying on friends and family in tough situations, and figuring out right from wrong. That may sound nanny-pamby, but it had a lot more depth than some folks think.
AND IF I WEEP????
10/10!!!! 5 STARS!!!
I see Ray Bradbury wherever I go (and I'm not complaining). Uncannily reminded me of a mix of Dandelion Wine and Something Wicked this way comes, two of my faves but, as I read on, it turned into something absolutely fantastic and uniquely original.
This book takes its time, not a second more and not a second less. Slow like molasses with intense payoffs. I was charmed immediately by the end of part 1.
To quote the book directly:
“It meandered like the river, and you never knew where you were going until you got there, but the journey was sweet and deep and left you wishing for more.”
And I cannot stress how much it means to me that this book called “Boy's Life”, after hundreds of pages of the magic of “boyhood” ends in an epilogue where our main character is all grown up with a family of his own, with a daughter, and says that it's a girl's life too. It does mean so much to me.
I'm a sentimental person (hence the Bradbury fangirling) and this is just what I needed.
An aside: Sad that magical realism in americana is always relegated to coming or age or childrens stories. Plausible deniability probably. Westerner's wouldn't be caught dead believing in magic.
This is literally one of the best books I've ever read. I had forgotten almost all of it, but now I am reminded of just how amazing it is.
It also has one of the best commentaries ever on the subject of slavery, racism, etc. Delivered by a black woman over 100 years old in the 60s.
“You want the people of Bruton to remember their ancestors were slaves?” Mom asked.
“Yes, I do. I want 'em to remember it not to feel pity for themselves, or to feel put-upon and deservin' of what they don't have, but to say to themselves, ‘Look where I have come from, and look what I have become.' ”
The Lady turned to face us. “Ain't no way out but up,” she said. “Readin'. Writin'. Thinkin'. Those are the rungs on the ladder that lead up and out. Not whinin' and takin' and bein' a mind-chained slave. That's the used-to-be world. It ought to be a new world now.” She moved around the room, and stopped at a picture of a fiery cross. “I want my people,” she said quietly, “to cherish where they've come from. Not sweep it under a rug. Not to dwell on it either, because that's nothin' but givin' up the future. But to say, ‘My great-granddaddy pulled a plow by the strength of his back. He worked from sunup to sundown, heat and cold. Worked for no wages but a master's food and a roof over his head. Worked hard, and was sometimes whipped hard. Sweated blood and kept goin', when he wanted to drop. Took the brand and answered Yes, massa, when his heart was breakin' and his pride was belly-down. Did all this when he knew his wife and children might go up on the auction block and be torn away from him in the blink of an eye. Sang in the fields, and wept at night. He did all this and more, and by God ... by God, because he suffered this I can at least finish school.' ” She lifted her chin in defiance of the flames. “That's what I want 'em to think, and to say. This is my dream.”
3.5 stars
This was my first book by this author and while it wasn't a new favorite I enjoyed it enough to want ot read more by this author.
So based off the synopsis of this I went into this book expecting it to focus on the whodunit aspect but that is not the case. This book portrays the life of 12 year old Cory. We get his day to day life in which one day him and his father witness a car go into Saxon's Lake and sink with a man inside. While they want to figure out what happened to the man and who is responsible that takes a back seat to Cory's day to day life which is why I was a bit disappointed. It isn't until the very end when things start happening regarding the whodunit. There are mentions here and there about the accident but nothing is ever really done until the end.
That alone is my main complaint about this book. Everything else I did really enjoy. I don't typically like books that just follow peoples everyday lives but this one worked for me. It did go by a bit slow considering I was expecting it to focus on the whodunit. This author is a great story teller. I never felt like I was getting bombarded with to much info or description which can definitely be the case with these longer books. Speaking of long book I feel like this one could have been a bit shorter.
All of my thoughts of this are based on the fact that I was expecting more of the whodunit aspect. If I went into it expecting something else I could see myself loving this one so much more. Overall I did enjoy this authors writing and I really want to pick up something else by him.
Absolutely Glorious, I just don't have the words to explain just how amazing this book is.
Fantastic story of one year in the life of a 12-year-old boy. It's touching, exciting, scary, and funny. It reminded me quite a bit of Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury.
There are elements that are realistic, like bullies in the schoolyard, family money troubles, and racial tension. Then there are the elements that are way out there, prehistoric creatures, vengeful monkeys, spiritual powers, etc. There's also the overall theme of a town that is on the cusp of the changing society in America in the 1960s. McCammon does a great job of combining these elements with warmth and humor as well as keeping the reader on the edge of their seat.
Sometimes the fantasy elements are a little over the top and in a way that breaks the spell of immersion a bit. But I liked it so much I certainly wouldn't dock a star for that.
I loved this book. There's really not much else I can say, because I only finished it this morning and I'm still speechless. It's going on the favorites shelf.
Absolutely fabulous! It's a coming of age tale set in 1964 in Alabama told from the point of view of 11 year old Cory Mackenson. Cory is a budding writer - and knows how to spin a story - and as he's 11, there's still a fair bit of magic in the world. The story is a series of vignettes that are strung together with a mystery that Cory and his father need to get to the bottom of. The vignettes expand on all the unique characters in this little Alabama town - from the milk man, gas station owner, piano teacher, the local vet, the local witch, the girls at the house of ill repute, a former gunslinger, and the eccentric son of the wealthy owner of most of the town (who has issues with his wardrobe) - and thus build this world well. If you liked the style of “To Kill a Mockingbird” you will enjoy this one as well. I listened to this one from Audible - and it's very well done. I will surely pick it up and re-read (or re-listen to) it again in the future.
This is a book full of magic. Magic and stories. Magic and stories that could only take those forms in the head of a Boy's Life.
This book transported me right into the world of Cory. It's so perfectly written that I could really smell the air of Zephyr and could imagine what it would like to be a boy in this town. I laughed, cried and felt happiness with the characters.
It's really big and there are many side stories. But it isn't too much. A few of the magic things didn't get really explained, but that's perfectly fine. It's part of a boy's mind to see magic in ordinary things.
I'm torn between feeling happy and empty after finishing this. Empty because I'll really miss all those characters, but happy because the ending was beautiful.
Life goes on, but we'll never loose parts of the magic that surrounded us as we were kids. If we allow it.
5 stars. Perfect.
