Reviews and Comments

Keegan can do a character study like no other.

Fantastic story of a boy in search of himself only to have his life upended by those around him. The prose is terrific with masterful character development. The narrative can sometimes be a bit chaotic, but is reflective of the events proceeding. And the story is as bittersweet as the protagonist himself. Some other reviewers did not "get" the ending, IMHO, but the author utterly nailed it. Inspired writing.

An interesting character study, where each explores various paths seeking a way forward in the world while still heavily influenced by their past.

The translator did a decent job though I felt it was a bit awkward and distracting at times.

This book wowed me. So much heart and introspection and hope and despair and … Just read it.

""" 'Are you afraid of the dark?'

I want to say I am afraid but am too afraid to say so. """

""" There's a big moon shining on the yard, chalking our way onto the lane and along the road. Kinsella takes my hand in his. As soon as he takes it, I realise my father has never once held my hand, and some part of me wants Kinsella to let me go so I won't have to feel this. """

"And fantasy it was, for we were not strong, only aggressive; we were not free, merely licensed; we were not compassionate, we were polite; not good, but well behaved. We courted death in order to call ourselves brave, and hid like thieves from life. We substituted good grammar for intellect; we switched habits to simulate maturity; we rearranged lies and called it truth, seeing in the new pattern of an old idea the Revelation and the Word."