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bookswithgeorgia's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Alcoholism, Grief, Gun violence, Domestic abuse, Child death, Cancer, and Drug use
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Oh my poor heart. I don’t think it will ever be the same after I read Boy’s Don’t Cry. It’s the story of two brothers, 12 year old Finn and 17 year old Joe. They are growing up impoverished in a block of flats in inner city Dublin. Their Dad drinks heavily, is involved in a local gang, and is abusive. Their mother tries to hold everything together but is overwhelmed and beaten down. Joe is a talented artist, has a scholarship to a private school, and is determined never to be like his father. But forces seem to be conspiring against him, and he really needs money to help a friend who is in debt to the gang. Meanwhile Finn has managed to stay delightfully childlike, innocent and naive in the best way. Until he is diagnosed with leukaemia.
Their story unfolds in two alternating timelines, one from Finn’s perspective and one from Joe’s. The prose is understated and almost stark, yet brilliantly and evocatively captures each brother’s struggles and emotions.
I really thought this was going to be a 5 star read for me. But it just fell short. Towards the end there was one pivotal scene and, despite rereading it three times, I’m still unclear exactly what happened. Reading other reviews indicates I’m not the only reader who struggled with this.
Regardless, I’d still highly recommend this book for its memorable characters who you’ll root for, a heartwarming example of brotherly love, and an unflinching yet not sensational depiction of place. This was a fantastic debut and I’ll be keen to read whatever Fíona Scarlett writes next.
Their story unfolds in two alternating timelines, one from Finn’s perspective and one from Joe’s. The prose is understated and almost stark, yet brilliantly and evocatively captures each brother’s struggles and emotions.
I really thought this was going to be a 5 star read for me. But it just fell short. Towards the end there was one pivotal scene and, despite rereading it three times, I’m still unclear exactly what happened. Reading other reviews indicates I’m not the only reader who struggled with this.
Regardless, I’d still highly recommend this book for its memorable characters who you’ll root for, a heartwarming example of brotherly love, and an unflinching yet not sensational depiction of place. This was a fantastic debut and I’ll be keen to read whatever Fíona Scarlett writes next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Domestic abuse, Cancer, and Gun violence
travelseatsreads's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Boys Don't Cry is the stunning debut novel from Fiona Scarlett. It tells the story of Joe and Finn, two young brothers living in the flats in inner city Dublin and follows their struggles as they learn to live with a father who is heavily involved in the local crime gang, a mother who is trying to hold it all together and a shocking cancer diagnosis that has devastating effects.
This heartbreakingly beautiful and tender story is told with alternating chapters from each of the boys perspectives. This was so affective as it allows the reader to see the varied themes (poverty, crime, domestic violence, cancer & grief) through each of the boys eyes.
The writing is tender yet captivating. Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down and had to finish it in one sitting. Fiona beautifully portrays the unbreakable bond between Joe and Finn and just how besotted they are with each other.
I also really enjoyed the female characters within this book, each one appeared to be trying to cope with the hand they had been dealt and made often hard choices to try to better themselves and those around them.
This is a gorgeous story, brimming with equal amounts of love and sorrow that will stay with me for a long time to come.
This heartbreakingly beautiful and tender story is told with alternating chapters from each of the boys perspectives. This was so affective as it allows the reader to see the varied themes (poverty, crime, domestic violence, cancer & grief) through each of the boys eyes.
The writing is tender yet captivating. Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down and had to finish it in one sitting. Fiona beautifully portrays the unbreakable bond between Joe and Finn and just how besotted they are with each other.
I also really enjoyed the female characters within this book, each one appeared to be trying to cope with the hand they had been dealt and made often hard choices to try to better themselves and those around them.
This is a gorgeous story, brimming with equal amounts of love and sorrow that will stay with me for a long time to come.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, and Violence
skirteen's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Cancer, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Grief, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
Moderate: Blood, Drug abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, and Injury/Injury detail
ionahadinoto's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer and Gun violence
sadhbhdunne's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Cancer, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Medical content, Physical abuse, and Vomit
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