Susan
John Boyne’s novel is set in Ireland spanning the years from 1945 to 2015. It is the engrossing story of Cyril Avery’s life. Adopted but never truly accepted by his adoptive family or at ease in Irish society dominated by the Catholic Church, Cyril struggles to find his identity and a place to call home. The novel is witty, thought-provoking and very well written.
I whole heartedly recommend this splendid novel, set in London and on Malta during World War ll. The four central characters are wonderfully drawn and the banter between Tom and Alistair is superbly witty. Mary is an absolute delight and Hilda an unlikely heroic inspiration. The novel is harrowing at times, depicting the Blitz and the siege of Malta in horrifying detail. At this time of world wide pandemic pandemonium, this novel offers a beautifully nuanced perspective on human endurance and bravery.