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A review by kba76
The Boy from the Sea by Garrett Carr
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Family and community are key in The Boy from the Sea. A lyrical debut, painting a vivid picture of a close-knit community and its inhabitants. Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review it prior to publication.
The opening reminded me of Heaney’s poem ‘Storm on the Island’ with its focus on the depiction of a small group. It draws you in and it’s hard not to become absorbed in the tale that unfolds in front of us.
When a baby is found washed up on the beach he is, eventually, taken in by fisherman Ambrose Bonnar. We follow the Bonnar family through their lives. We are privy to the observations of many of the villagers as they watch Ambrose and his family go about their business.
A strange set-up, and a large part of the novel focuses on the changes in the community as the fishing industry comes under threat. The family suffer their own trials and tribulations, and though there is a sense of claustrophobia throughout it was fascinating to see the interactions of the characters.
The opening reminded me of Heaney’s poem ‘Storm on the Island’ with its focus on the depiction of a small group. It draws you in and it’s hard not to become absorbed in the tale that unfolds in front of us.
When a baby is found washed up on the beach he is, eventually, taken in by fisherman Ambrose Bonnar. We follow the Bonnar family through their lives. We are privy to the observations of many of the villagers as they watch Ambrose and his family go about their business.
A strange set-up, and a large part of the novel focuses on the changes in the community as the fishing industry comes under threat. The family suffer their own trials and tribulations, and though there is a sense of claustrophobia throughout it was fascinating to see the interactions of the characters.