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cmcglinchey1982's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Loved this book. It's a sad and very darkly funny study of what, at the time ,would have been considered madness or insanity whereas these days it would relfect the impact of abuse, neglect, violence and abandonment of a young boy and the consequences of it all. Hilariously dark.
reallivejim's review against another edition
3.5
Classic Irish comedy—insanely depressing and depraved.
vidhi26p's review against another edition
3.0
This was a pretty sad novel, but it didn’t feel game changing the way that other plays by McCabe did. I enjoyed the voice and insight into Irish life, but felt a little disconcerted while reading it, even being familiar with Irish history and culture. It was an enlightening read, but wouldn’t truly categorize it as entertaining, at least in the second half of the novel. It was a saddening illustration of poverty in Ireland and kind of showing that this isn’t a glorified existence that many people might see it as. Overall, enjoyed reading this and getting a little out of my comfort zone.
mikewa14's review against another edition
3.0
a distrubing read about a young Irish boy's descent into madness - full review here
http://0651frombrighton.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/the-butcher-boy-patrick-mccabe.html
http://0651frombrighton.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/the-butcher-boy-patrick-mccabe.html
donasbooks's review against another edition
5.0
This book-- a horror novel, by all measures-- nominated for the Booker prize, which is a pretty big deal. The reason why is the damn thing is beautiful. What's beautiful about it is the lyricism; that the voice singing to you belongs to a violent child whom you also feel terribly terrible for only deepens the music. As I read the sentences and paragraphs, as the curly little curse words dropped and bounced on the pages, as the rage bloomed like mushroom-shaped peonies, as the disorder and confusion strung out in long snakes-- I kept seeing a jigging, grinning young man Malcolm McDowell, dancing through his evil in the opening scenes of the film adaption of A Clockwork Orange.
Like when I saw the iconic Kubrick film and read the iconic Burgess book, what I read here pummeled me, gutted me-- but it was so, so beautiful. It's the beauty that gives the reader access to such terrible material, such violent experiences. It was the same with Burgess. These writers even used the same tools-- an irresistible dialect and a young man's seemingly familiar voice-- to allow us into their stories. Why else would we go into these snake pits with these particular salamanders?
Really, this is such a good book. There's a lot here to think about. If you enjoyed Burgess's big hit, you will see countless parallels. I recommend it!
Stay healthy everyone <3
*edit 2022 planning a reread for 2023
*Follow my Instagram book blog for all my reviews, challenges, and book lists! http://www.instagram.com/donasbooks *
Like when I saw the iconic Kubrick film and read the iconic Burgess book, what I read here pummeled me, gutted me-- but it was so, so beautiful. It's the beauty that gives the reader access to such terrible material, such violent experiences. It was the same with Burgess. These writers even used the same tools-- an irresistible dialect and a young man's seemingly familiar voice-- to allow us into their stories. Why else would we go into these snake pits with these particular salamanders?
Really, this is such a good book. There's a lot here to think about. If you enjoyed Burgess's big hit, you will see countless parallels. I recommend it!
Stay healthy everyone <3
*edit 2022 planning a reread for 2023
*Follow my Instagram book blog for all my reviews, challenges, and book lists! http://www.instagram.com/donasbooks *
krish_'s review against another edition
5.0
Chilling.
One of the best books I've ever had to read for school.
The diction takes some getting used to as there are no punctuations, save for the ever essential period. It takes stream-of-consciousness to a whole other level. You're never quite sure if its Francie thinking, Francie speaking, Francie recalling a memory and don't even get me started on actual conversations. You'll have to navigate your own way between who's saying what. I make it sound like its a difficult book to get through and I suppose many people have problems but after a while, you start to flow right along Francie's wavelength and then it starts to actually feel natural. With all that said, Francie Brady is one of the scariest, liveliest and utterly fascinating characters I've ever come across.
A+
One of the best books I've ever had to read for school.
The diction takes some getting used to as there are no punctuations, save for the ever essential period. It takes stream-of-consciousness to a whole other level. You're never quite sure if its Francie thinking, Francie speaking, Francie recalling a memory and don't even get me started on actual conversations. You'll have to navigate your own way between who's saying what. I make it sound like its a difficult book to get through and I suppose many people have problems but after a while, you start to flow right along Francie's wavelength and then it starts to actually feel natural. With all that said, Francie Brady is one of the scariest, liveliest and utterly fascinating characters I've ever come across.
A+
colorfulleo92's review against another edition
3.0
I had completely forgotten that I read this book last year and unfortunately I don't have the same feelings towards it today. It was a 4 stars last time but this one it was perhaps 2.5 stars but I'll rate it 3
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This was a lot more intense and disturbing than I've anticipated but a good story nevertheless, had me intrigued by the audiobook from the beginning to end.
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This was a lot more intense and disturbing than I've anticipated but a good story nevertheless, had me intrigued by the audiobook from the beginning to end.
jeffgreen's review against another edition
4.0
Scary, hilarious, brutal, full of brilliant writing. Totally disturbing, though, and not for the faint of heart.
georgilini's review against another edition
4.0
I found this book to be written very uniquely, the way that the sentences ramble and the dialogue blends in with his thoughts is refreshing. The ending was incredibly grotesque and actually made me queasy, no other book has given me this much of a visceral reaction, so i must commend its twisted nature.
“Great” book, “horrible” book
“Great” book, “horrible” book