Boy's Life
Ratings57
Average rating4.4
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.
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.
Exquisite writing. I laughed and cried and marveled my way through this book.
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.
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 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.