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beatyjulia 's review for:
The Heart's Invisible Furies
by John Boyne
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
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
“What you know about women,” replied Maude, “could be written in large font on the back of a postage stamp and there’d still be room for the Lord’s Prayer.”
A sweeping novel about Cyril Avery, a gay man growing up in a deeply Catholic Ireland. Boyne's writing is transformative with Cyril's growth; in his twenties it feels halting and desperate and I almost quit reading, but as Cyril matures and grows into himself, his narrative also matures and became a complete delight. For me, the second half outshined the first, as you fell in love with the characters in the back part of their lives. Yes, this is a book about Cyril's homosexuality in a sense, but it is so much broader than that. Boyne captures love on so many different planes; that between a child and parent, between friends, between trauma bonded strangers. The writing is witty, striking, heartfelt, and just lovely. I would recommend to anyone who appreciates great writing and characters that are crafted to a tee.
• It made me feel delighted, sorrowful, and content.
• Filled with quick banter, surprising truths, found family, and multifaceted love
• It made me want to hand my copy to a friend, book a plane to Dublin
• After the last page, listen to "Sorrow Be Gone" by Gemma Hayes
• If this book was a food/drink, it would be a lunchtime Guinness followed by a cozy soup and cup of tea in your upstairs apartment as you watch the rain fall on foggy Dublin
A sweeping novel about Cyril Avery, a gay man growing up in a deeply Catholic Ireland. Boyne's writing is transformative with Cyril's growth; in his twenties it feels halting and desperate and I almost quit reading, but as Cyril matures and grows into himself, his narrative also matures and became a complete delight. For me, the second half outshined the first, as you fell in love with the characters in the back part of their lives. Yes, this is a book about Cyril's homosexuality in a sense, but it is so much broader than that. Boyne captures love on so many different planes; that between a child and parent, between friends, between trauma bonded strangers. The writing is witty, striking, heartfelt, and just lovely. I would recommend to anyone who appreciates great writing and characters that are crafted to a tee.
• It made me feel delighted, sorrowful, and content.
• Filled with quick banter, surprising truths, found family, and multifaceted love
• It made me want to hand my copy to a friend, book a plane to Dublin
• After the last page, listen to "Sorrow Be Gone" by Gemma Hayes
• If this book was a food/drink, it would be a lunchtime Guinness followed by a cozy soup and cup of tea in your upstairs apartment as you watch the rain fall on foggy Dublin
Content Warnings
Moderate: Hate crime, Homophobia, Trafficking, Religious bigotry, Death of parent
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Kidnapping