Reviews

The Boat Runner by Devin Murphy

ni_albert's review against another edition

3.0

Some parts of the story were so long and drawn out that it made it hard to read. Other parts were interesting but ended as quickly as they started. I found that there were too many unlikely scenarios that happened to the main character, it really took away from the story. As did some rather large historical inaccuracies. Overall, the book was fine and I’m happy I picked it up second hand.

udflyer's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.0

This was ok. The gory details and unnecessary crass  language really turned me off. Lots of breadth, not a lot of depth. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Cursing and Death of parent

oneenglishteacher's review against another edition

2.0

The writing was decent; the story was compelling, and I really wanted to enjoy the book at a four star level, but even though it was a coming of age story, I found the sexual details off-putting and even gratuitous. The violence a little less so but still somehow jarring within the plotline. 

tomstbr's review against another edition

4.0

Way more action-packed than I thought it would be! Solid coming-of-age during world war 2 story with some truly harrowing scenes.

alundeberg's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.75

I appreciated reading Devin Murphy's The Boat Runner, but I am also hard-pressed to think of anyone I would recommend it to. It's the tale of Jacob Koopman, a 14-year old Dutch boy who lives under Nazi occupation, and his moral journey through WWII. Awkward and reserved, he finds his identity when his father sends his brother and him to a Hitler Youth camp before the war, and this experience skews his attitude of who the real aggressor is: the Nazis or the Allies. He spends the next four years dealing with the repercussions of war and determining what kind of person he is. There is a lot to commend here: Murphy tells a story that is not often told-- of the Dutch and of young boys caught in war's crosshairs. Murphy also conducted a copious amount of research to bring this part of the war to life. He also strives to imbue Jacob with moral complexity in line with young boys who think they have the world figured out until they don't. But this is one harrowing read as Jacob bounces from one calamity to the next all while continuously struggling with his morals. There are many, many sections of Jacob trying to plumb the depths of his soul, and it feels like Murphy is trying very hard to be profound and the profundity is just not there. Despite the research, there are parts that didn't ring true. For example, on the eve when the Netherlands are going to be bombed, Jacob and his father visit the Rijksmuseum and see Vermeer's "The Milkmaid" (which will  always get a "yay" from me); however, I highly doubt that a major museum-- at the cusp of war-- would have kept its priceless works on the walls. I think the Louvre started packing up in 1939, so it stands to reason that the Rijksmuseum's Vermeers would be like the Louvre's: in hiding. There were many moments like this-- events that just felt "off". Overall, it's a solid effort, and if you're interested in lesser-known parts of history, this is for you.

lottie1803's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective 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

5.0

ammbooks's review against another edition

3.0

as Jacob states towards the end of the book, "....It is the little stories of our day that hold the only things of value in this world." This was a sad story of just how there are no winners in a war. A tough subject was nicely handled.

guylou's review against another edition

4.0

This is a moving WWII novel about Jacob, a young Dutch man, who struggles with losing the members of his family and his friends to a horrible war. The story starts in 1939, with two brothers from Holland who are sent to a Hitler Youth Camp in Germany and leads to one to die and the other to join the German army out of anger.

This is also a story of redemption as Jacob's uncle reaches out to him and brings him back on the righteous path. Jacob eventually finds his purpose and brings good to this dreadful wartime. The page turning story is well structured and the writing is beautiful. Another great book for readers who enjoys historical novels.

lizaroo71's review against another edition

5.0

Jacob Koopman lives in Holland at the outbreak of WWII. His father owns a light factory and spends much of his day perfecting his craft. Jacob and his brother, Edwin, have an idyllic life with their parents and Uncle Martin. But once the Germans invade his hometown, Jacob's life will never be the same.

As the story unfolds, there is one heartbreak after another. I often times found myself hoping for answers or a reunion between lost souls ... but this is a book about war and death and loss and pain. It is not easy. At all. That's why I felt it to be truthful. I think Jacob's reality must have been one of many untold tales of WWII.

I picked this book up on a whim at my library. I am so glad I gave in to the moment. This is a book with heart and soul and I am eager to read more by Murphy.

lynnmerizaldeorobio's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional medium-paced

3.75