Reviews

The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys by Chris Fuhrman

rosseroo's review against another edition

4.0

Although set much later, in 1974, this largely entertaining and touching book strikes many of the same chords as the movie Stand By Me. The antics of a gang of outcast 13-year-old Catholic-school boys in Savannah involve the usual coming of age subjects: drinking, blaspheming, lusting, trying to escape the parental bonds, etc... This is mostly handled with care and a delicate touch, as is the tension of race relations, and parental abuse. The only part which rings false is a sub-plot involving a young girl with some serious sexual problems which are somewhat difficult to read about. The hero's reaction to this is far too mature to be believable. Other than this slight misstep, the book is an excellent portrait of a time and place. If you like this, check out Tom Perrota's short story collection, Bad Haircut. A very good collection--and interesting contrast--about growing up in South Central LA in the 70s is Living for the City.