Reviews

The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket by John Boyne

mehsi's review against another edition

4.0

Sjeesh, his parents are really mean aren't they? OMG my kid isn't normal, lets just dump him. *rolls eyes*

And I didn't like Barnaby at all times, sometimes he just seemed to be much older than he is. Also that he didn't seem to understand that his parents dumped him, I think it would be clear, given the amount of dislike they gave him.

I liked the whole going around the world part.

katykelly's review against another edition

5.0

A lovely tale, and really liked little Barnaby. Wanted to strangle his parents though!

*spoiler*
As a parent I did have a problem with Barnaby, an eight-year-old leaving his family but you do know that in his world, it will all be well.

book_concierge's review against another edition

3.0

Eleanor and Alistair Brocket are perfectly normal. The live on a normal street, in a normal neighborhood, and have normal jobs and a normal house. Their two children, Henry and Melanie, are also perfectly normal. And then Barnaby is born, and he is immediately and obviously different.

This is a fable and a children’s adventure story full of improbable and exciting adventures but teaching a lesson about acceptance and compassion and courage. The entire story is a lesson on tolerance.

I felt for Barnaby and cheered him on when he

Spoiler

made his brave decision to be himself. I read this entire story as an allegory of gay children coming out to their families and learning to live in a society that is not always welcoming, or even tolerant of their “difference.”.

lehughes19's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

mkfreckles's review against another edition

adventurous funny reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

redsilva95's review against another edition

4.0

Que história incrível sobre as diferenças que nos fazem se sentir alguém especial. John Boyne já é um dos meus autores favoritos, e esse livro só me deixou com mais vontade de ler outras de suas obras.

natidelgadov's review against another edition

5.0

A pesar de haber quedado con una sensación de importancia hacia algunos personajes, este libro me gustó mucho, nos enseña de una manera un poco dura que no somos nadie para decidir que es normal y que no lo es, nos enseña a querer y a aceptar a los demás tal como son. Definitivamente un libro muy bonito y que debería leerse más.

chanley_33's review

adventurous funny inspiring 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? No

4.0

13brunas's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

janeyre9's review against another edition

4.0

I was pretty sure I was going to love this book as soon as I read the blurb. I am a big fan of John Boyne, nonsensical and funny fantasy, and Olive jeffers, so this was an absolute joy for me. John Boyne can write anything and give it heart and humor. This was a delightfully whimsical story, with a good number of dark bits, about loving who you are and both accepting and appreciating the differences in everyone.