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Heart's Invisible Furies
Heart's Invisible Furies | John Boyne
From the beloved New York Times bestselling author of The Boy In the Striped Pajamas, a sweeping, heartfelt saga about the course of one man's life, beginning and ending in post-war Ireland Cyril Avery is not a real Avery -- or at least, that's what his adoptive parents tell him. And he never will be. But if he isn't a real Avery, then who is he? Born out of wedlock to a teenage girl cast out from her rural Irish community and adopted by a well-to-do if eccentric Dublin couple via the intervention of a hunchbacked Redemptorist nun, Cyril is adrift in the world, anchored only tenuously by his heartfelt friendship with the infinitely more glamourous and dangerous Julian Woodbead. At the mercy of fortune and coincidence, he will spend a lifetime coming to know himself and where he came from - and over his many years, will struggle to discover an identity, a home, a country, and much more. In this, Boyne's most transcendent work to date, we are shown the story of Ireland from the 1940s to today through the eyes of one ordinary man. The Heart's Invisible Furies is a novel to make you laugh and cry while reminding us all of the redemptive power of the human spirit.
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BoleyBooks
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Amor4Libros One of my favorite books! ❤️ 1w
BoleyBooks @Amor4Libros - I laughed and I cried🥹 signs of a well told story!! 🙌 1w
Amor4Libros @BoleyBooks I‘m due for a re-read soon! 1w
39 likes1 stack add3 comments
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JuniperWilde
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Just started this one and I‘m already hooked 📚

DavidDiamond I've read most of his books but this is one of my all-time favorites...hope you enjoy it! 7mo
20 likes1 comment
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Elizabeth2
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Pickpick

How does John Boyne make you laugh, rage and feel like crying all on the same page? This character driven novel follows the life of Cyril Avery. Cyril is funny, smart, and lovable. He‘s flawed, but not as much as the world in which he lives. This book is heartbreaking yet hopeful, and showcases a point in history of both Ireland and the US that is not very favorable. Cyril will stay with me for a long time. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ /5 ❤️📚

AmyG Loved this book…my favorite of his. (edited) 8mo
Leftcoastzen I love this book so much ! 8mo
43 likes2 comments
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BirdLaVie
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Pickpick

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I have to sit with this novel weighing deeply in my heart…I don‘t think it will ever leave me! The Heart‘s Invisible Furies is nothing short of a spiritual experience, examining life/death/tragedy/queerness/love/friendship/parental relationships/childhood trauma/culture/society/found family/intolerance -- in all its complexity.

BirdLaVie Boyne gorgeously captures how life is both excruciatingly unfair and astonishingly beautiful. The experience of the way Boyne does character was striking, I am stunned in admiration and appreciation for his multifaceted, hilarious, distinct characters. What a gift to muse over this poignant novel and have it to return to physically and in my mind forever! 10mo
Leftcoastzen The year I read it I thought it was the best book I read that year . 9mo
26 likes2 comments
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AbstractMonica
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Pickpick

Catherine Goggin gets shunned from her small town of Goleen Ireland by her town‘s priest. She has gotten pregnant out of wedlock at the age 16, and soon gets labeled a whore. Shortly after Cyril is born. The star of our story. He gets adopted by a well-meaning couple that are a little strange and unconventional. This story is mostly hardships trough Cyril‘s life, but the sense of humor is unmatched. It‘s what made this story so lovable.

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TheSpineView
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Follow.my.read This book left me with the BIGGEST book hangover EVER!!!!#JohnBoyne 2y
kspenmoll Fabulous book! Made me laugh & cry! 2y
Eggs 💚☘️🇮🇪 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks One of my all time favorites!! Love Cyril 💙 2y
69 likes4 comments
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xicanti
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I finished Part II of THE HEART‘S INVISIBLE FURIES while I baked my mum a coffee cake and waited for it to cool enough to ice. Boyne backs off from the dark hilarity in this chunk and focuses on giving the reader (ie, me) MANY INTENSE EMOTIONS.

This is a hell of a book, y‘all. I‘m ready for Part III.

CBee I LOVED this book ♥️ 2y
Amiable Loved the book —and I feel like I would love that coffee cake, too! 2y
DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳 2y
See All 23 Comments
xicanti @CBee IT‘S SO GOOD. I‘m gonna have to read more John Boyne, stat. 2y
xicanti @Amiable I think it‘ll be tasty. I used more filling this time for extra oomph. 2y
dabbe All I can focus on is the cake. 🤤 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks One of my favorites 💙 2y
Leftcoastzen It‘s a great book. 2y
CBee @xicanti I also recommend 2y
MemoirsForMe Yum! 2y
tpixie Gorgeous coffee cake! We need that recipe!!! 2y
batsy Yum! Lucky mum 🥰 2y
xicanti @dabbe it IS pretty fancy. 2y
xicanti @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I loved it so, so much! 2y
xicanti @Leftcoastzen indeed it is. 2y
xicanti @CBee it‘s on my list! 2y
xicanti @UwannaPublishme it went over very well with the intended audience. 2y
xicanti @tpixie it‘s Betty Crocker‘s classic sour cream coffee cake: https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/classic-sour-cream-coffee-cake/f94a8fa3-1f0... I use a standard vanilla drizzle instead of the icing on the website: 1/2 cup icing sugar, 1/4 tsp vanilla, and 2 or 3 taps milk. (edited) 2y
xicanti @batsy she was pretty happy with it, I‘ve gotta say. 2y
tpixie @xicanti thanks! It‘s gorgeous!! Someone at work has a birthday coming up. Maybe I‘ll try it!!! 2y
xicanti @tpixie I hope your birthday person enjoys the cake as much as my mum does! 2y
tpixie @xicanti thanks 😊 Happy Birthday to your mum! 💗 2y
56 likes1 stack add23 comments
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xicanti
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I made my first air fried stuffed pepper today. It was done so quickly I hardly had any time with THE HEART‘S INVISIBLE FURIES.

The book is GREAT. It‘s very dark and very funny; my favourite combo. I dunno whether I‘ll end up regular loving it or loving the hell out of it, but it‘ll be one of the two.

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Follow.my.read
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The freaky coincidence when you see a word or phrase you‘ve never seen before in your book right after seeing it on an Instagram post 15 minutes earlier!

Chrissyreadit I just but myself a tshirt that says that. I love Irish language. 2y
49 likes1 comment
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xicanti
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I started my first John Boyne over breakfast, with Casey‘s bashful help, and I hope I can really sink into it over lunch! It‘s got a lot of promise so far.

It‘s also almost 600 pages, rather than 368 like Litsy says. If I‘d known that, I would‘ve suspended it until after I read FAYNE. As it is, I‘ve prioritized it because there‘re still 44 people waiting and no Express copies I can maybe nab if I don‘t get to it before the due date.

Sleepswithbooks 🐶🥰 2y
Tea_and_Starstuff Good luck beating the book return clock! 2y
xicanti @Sleepswithbooks he‘s a fluffy star, this one. 2y
See All 6 Comments
xicanti @Tea_and_Starstuff thanks! I‘ll definitely get to the ones with the massive holds lists, but I might have to go back in the queue for one or two of the others. 2y
dabbe Da Cutest Casey ever! ❣️🐾❣️ 2y
xicanti @dabbe he‘s got serious puppydog eyes. 2y
40 likes6 comments
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Follow.my.read
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Rainy, windy and cold! Pretzel balls and a good book by my favorite author #JohnBoyne who could ask for more? #TheHeartsInvisibleFuries

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Love Cyril 💙 2y
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Cathyloves2read
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed every page of this very long book. It was beautifully written. It spanned decades. How peoples views changed over the years! I some ways, I feel that we live in a better world today. Yet, do we? I felt close to many of the characters, and feel a bit sad to say goodbye now that the book has ended.

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LaraReads
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I have had this one on my shelf for so many years. Giving it a go for #setinthecityofdublin About 20% and it‘s interesting enough so far. Hope it lives up to the excellent reviews.

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DisneyFan
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Mehso-so

Please someone explain to me why they loved this book?
Everyone I know loved it and I tried so so so so hard to look past it‘s many flaws, and just appreciate the writing (which was beautiful). I read an interview explaining that the changes in the main character represented the changes in Irish society. Maybe there are more analogies that I didn‘t understand?

#litsylovereads

AmyG I read this awhile ago. I just loved the quirky, dysfunctional family…full of secrets and humor. Reminded me of John Irving, in a way. I also just loved the main character. 2y
Megabooks Yes, Cyril was the embodiment of changes in Irish society over the last 70 years. His imperfections are what make him such a great character for me. I like unlikable characters though and enjoyed the nuance I think Boyne showed in them. 2y
marleed I loved this book. It took unexpected turns and I loved the characters and their movement through time and place. 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I loved this one too!! 2y
KarenUK Loved this too… Cyril really stayed with me…. 1y
51 likes5 comments
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BookMaven9
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Pickpick

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟How can I love a book more than this! It‘s been so long since I‘ve read an epic family saga and this just nails it! The ups and downs of life as a young gay man navigates his life through the oppressive years of Ireland that is ruled under the Catholic Church and bigotry up to current day. I can‘t believe I am no longer having this beauties in my life. ♥️

marleed Tia is among my all time favorite books! 2y
BookMaven9 He‘s is an exceptional writer 2y
25 likes2 comments
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Ast_Arslan
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#manicmonday #LetterH @CBee

📚 (the) Heart's invisible furies - John Boyne
👤 H.P. Lovecraft
🎬 Harry Potter and the chamber of secrets
👨‍🎤 Him
🎤 Helena - My Chemical Romance

25 likes1 comment
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
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📚 tagged!
📚 Kristy Woodson Harvey
📚 Halsey 🎶
📚 Heat Waves

#ManicMonday
#LetterH

LeeRHarry Halsey - good choice 😊 2y
CBee Thanks for playing 😊😊 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @LeeRHarry thank you!! 🎤 🎶 2y
See All 7 Comments
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @CBee I forgot movie 🎥 🤦🏻‍♀️ 2y
kspenmoll Your book! 💕💕💕 2y
CBee @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks no worries 😉 2y
52 likes7 comments
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Deblovestoread
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📚 Tagged, Home (Marilynne Robinson), Homegoing (Yaa Gyasi), The Hate U Give (Angie Thomas)
🖋 Hosseini, Khalid, Herbert, Frank
🎞 Harry Potter and Hocus Pocus
🎤 George Harrison
🎶 Happy Birthday (Concrete Blonde) Hey Ya (Outkast) Hate Me (Blue October) Heart‘s Content (Brandi Carlile)

#manicmonday #LetterH @CBee

CBee Great answers!!! 😍 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Great choices!! 2y
40 likes2 comments
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Becker
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I‘m re-reading this for book club and it‘s totally worthy of re-reading. 🥰

marleed Yes it is! 2y
32 likes1 comment
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
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Ireland 🇮🇪 is on my bucket list!! I would bring the tagged book, some thrillers, and a travel guide!!

#Two4Tuesday

Want to play @thereadingpal @AprilMae @tracey38

TheSpineView Ireland would be a fabulous destination! Thanks for playing 2y
42 likes2 comments
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Leftcoastzen
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#ArtfulAugust #FavBOTM Well , this listing gets the *
Just because I adore this book & it was a Book of The Month selection in 2017 before I was a member. I have many selections stacked up on the TBR , but I would say my fave during my membership is Kristin Hannah‘s The Four Winds a detailed historical fiction about a family facing the extreme effects of the Dust Bowl.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I loved Cyril 💙📚 2y
Leftcoastzen @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks me too ! Such a great story with great characters. 2y
Eggs ❤️📚💙 2y
47 likes3 comments
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BarbaraBB
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#AlphabetGame Letter H

This book made me laugh and cry and loving every page. It also reminds me of great Litsy times when everyone was reading this and raving about it!

TrishB I also got everyone in work to read it!! 2y
Ast_Arslan That's one of my all time fav ❤️❤️ 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Oh I love Cyril 💙 2y
Suet624 💕💕 2y
61 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Cinfhen
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#AlphabetGame @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
The book that started my author obsession with John Boyne

Cinfhen Thanks for the tag @Allylu 💜 2y
BarbaraBB I chose this one too! 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I LOVED this one!! 2y
See All 13 Comments
Deblovestoread I went with A History of Loneliness because I always post Heart‘s for these things. 😁 2y
kspenmoll Great choice!!! Loved loved this book- laughed & cried! 2y
Megabooks Such a great book! 2y
erzascarletbookgasm Yes, a great read! ❤️ 2y
Cinfhen This was an easy choice but History of Loneliness is a great alternative @Kdgordon88 2y
Cinfhen I‘m tempted to read it again but this time on audio / have any of you tried the audiobook @erzascarletbookgasm @Megabooks @kspenmoll @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @BarbaraBB @Kdgordon88 ??? 2y
Megabooks No I have not. I‘ve stuck to print. 2y
Deblovestoread I haven‘t but I‘d be tempted to reread on audio. 2y
Cinfhen I‘m curious to see who does the narration @Kdgordon88 @Megabooks !!! #SoManyBooksSoLittleTime 2y
kspenmoll @Cinfhen I read the book- wonder what it would be like in audio. 2y
56 likes1 stack add13 comments
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Texreader
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Dear Jennifer, @jdiehr , this was such a sweet thoughtful gift! Thank you so much! I‘ve been wanting this book for a long time and I thought I‘d get it during Boyne‘s month for #authoramonth but I just couldn‘t squeeze it in so I kept passing on buying it even though it‘s been high on my tbr list. So I was so delighted when I opened your gift. It was a wonderful surprise! Thank you!!! #litsylove

jdiehr It's a good one! Hope you enjoy it and, again, happy birthday! 🥳 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks It‘s sooo good!! I hope you love it!! ❤️ 2y
66 likes2 comments
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DebinHawaii
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#BookMoods

There are books that have been on my shelves longer, but the ones I feel most guilty about not reading yet are these two from #BOTM that have #BeenOnShelf4Ever

I genuinely want to read them, but I just can‘t seem to get them started. It‘s even worse because they seem to be so loved by most everyone too. 📚📚📚🤦🏻‍♀️📚📚

peaKnit These are two fabulous books, to be savored. They will be there when you are ready:) 2y
JenReadsAlot Both of them are still sitting on my shelf as well! 2y
MicheleinPhilly Same! I even started Pachinko some time ago to participate in a book club but then life intervened. 2y
See All 10 Comments
AmyG These books will find you-when you are ready. 2y
Sweettartlaura Go for it with the Boyle book. And stick with it, even though it‘s long. For some reason, even though I liked it, it didn‘t really open up for me until literally halfway through. And then I couldn‘t stop reading it until I was done. Just start with 1 chapter… 2y
LeahBergen I‘ve had these same two books waiting on my shelves, too. 🙄 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks You HAVE to read The Hearts Invisible Furies!!! 2y
Eggs 📚👍🏼❤️ 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Sweettartlaura loved this one!! The first sentence 😱😳 2y
TheBookHippie The Hearts Invisible Fluries ♥️♥️♥️one of our first Sunday reads!!! I‘m unpopular opinion on Pachinko 😩🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️ 2y
57 likes10 comments
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Branwen
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Pride Month: Day Seven! 🌈

Today I'm featuring a book that is ALSO featured in my adult book rec video for the week! This story is so heartfelt, emotional, and poignant. It's one that I have loved ever since I first read it! 💜

YA Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1D3hxE8_s4&t=1s

Adult Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilqlibK1RNk&t=48s

#pridemonth #queerbooks #lgbtq

54 likes1 stack add
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DrexEdit
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Mehso-so

I am so far behind in posting reviews! Just reading like a fiend + life getting thrown in my face = not. enough. time. sigh.

I did finish this book in April the #AuthorAMonth author for April. I had been warned that it was a really good book and that I would need a box of kleenexes. I didn't. I found it more melodramatic than dramatic with sparse detail given it was supposed to be an historical novel. ⬇

@Soubhiville

DrexEdit I did finish the whole thing, even though it was a chunky 580 pages. So I guess it's a soft pick/so-so for me. It was pretty good, but I didn't find it overwhelming. I'm glad I tried a book by this author. I don't think I'll continue with him unless someone knows that one of his other books is totally worth the time. 3y
Ruthiella I didn‘t love this either. But I want to give him another chance. 3y
DrexEdit @Ruthiella I'm hoping he's got a short book out there! ☺️ 3y
46 likes3 comments
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KatieDid927
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Panpan

This might be my most unpopular opinion yet, but I did not enjoy this at all. This was my second Boyne, and it‘s definitely my last. I didn‘t connect to the characters, I found it tedious and implausible. Boyne‘s style just does not resonate with me in the slightest. But! I‘m thankful for the #AuthorAMonth challenge as this has been sitting on my shelf for years, and I finally had an excuse to read it. @Soubhiville

Soubhiville Sorry you didn‘t like it, but glad it‘s off your TBR! 3y
CarolynM I agree with you. 3y
KatieDid927 @CarolynM Glad I‘m not alone! 3y
44 likes1 stack add3 comments
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KatieDid927
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1. ✔️

2. A little bit, insomuch as I won‘t typically read, say, Elin Hilderbrand novels in autumn or Christmas/winter centric stories in summer. That kinda thing.

3. 🌷🌱

@Chrissyreadit @sprainedbrain @j9brown @wanderinglynn

#ThoughtfulThursday @MoonWitch94

BookwormAHN Good book! 3y
AmyG Loved this book! 3y
wanderinglynn Thanks for the tag! 😘 3y
MoonWitch94 Thanks for playing 🌷☺️📚 3y
36 likes4 comments
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DHill
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Right here. Every emotion. I feel like I need to read this again right away so I can properly sort what I just read. Like once was not enough to get it all inside my heart.

#AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville

Soubhiville Yes! I loved this one too. 3y
55 likes1 comment
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DHill
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Starting this now for #AuthorAMonth

BiblioLitten I really enjoyed this one. 3y
Deblovestoread I love this book so much. My first Boyne and still my favorite so far. 3y
Leftcoastzen I loved this book! 3y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Love this one!! 3y
Megabooks It is awesome!! Enjoy! 3y
50 likes5 comments
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Bookwormjillk
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Pickpick

I‘ve had this book on my TBR for years and I‘m glad #AuthorAMonth2022 finally got me to read it. Every emotion was contained in this book and I easily give it five stars. #AwesomeApril book 2/6.

Soubhiville I‘m glad you liked it as much as I did. 😊 3y
DavidDiamond One of my all time favorites! 3y
Andrew65 Sounds great 👏👏👏 3y
68 likes3 comments
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sailu112
Pickpick

One of the most intense and intriguing stories I have ever read. This is definitely an interesting narration spanning from when the baby was in the womb to his end. I especially love how his mom‘s life has changed during the whole book as well

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Megabooks
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Pickpick

Ice storm day 100, but at least I had a good reread!

Once again, easily a 5⭐️ book. Boyne captures beautifully the arc of Cyril Avery‘s life. Born in 1945, he is adopted by eccentric, wealthy parents. Gay before it was talked about in Ireland, Cyril develops a crush on his best friend. Friends, family, and lovers come in and out of his life as the book checks in every 7 years until he is 70. He is a man who led a typical yet extraordinary life.

BarbaraBB That picture is so beautiful. And I‘m happy your reread was just as satisfying as the first read. 3y
Bookwormjillk This has been in my TBR forever. I need to get to it soon. 3y
Cinfhen So glad the book delivers on a re-read!!! 3y
See All 6 Comments
Megabooks @BarbaraBB thanks! It really was. I read it back in 2017, and it floored me. I felt every bit as strongly this time! 3y
Megabooks @Bookwormjillk yes, definitely! I highly, highly recommend it. 3y
Megabooks @Cinfhen it 💯 did! 3y
103 likes3 stack adds6 comments
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candority
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Ready for another month of #BookSpinBingo although I haven‘t read my #DoubleSpin pick for January yet 🙈

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 3y
paperwitchs 😍😍 3y
Suet624 Some great reads here. 3y
84 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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Megabooks
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The snow has melted, hopefully my icy heart has melted, and hopefully this will warrant 5⭐️ again, as it did in 2017. 🤞🏻

BarbaraBB That seems a good choice after A Little Life! 3y
Megabooks @BarbaraBB I think it will be. I‘m going to finish a short story book first though. 3y
109 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
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“Long before we discovered that he had fathered two children by two different women ... Father James Monroe stood on the altar of the Church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea, in the parish of Goleen, West Cork, and denounced my mother as a whore.”

#2 “I like to think I know what death is. I like to think that it is something I could look at straight.” From Sing, Unburied,Sing

@TheSpineView @Eggs @Elizabeth2 @EadieB @Crazeedi @DarkMina

kspenmoll Invisible Furies! 💕💕💕 3y
TheSpineView Thanks for the tag! 3y
Ncostell The first line of The Heart‘s Invisible Furies is one of the most memorable first lines I‘ve ever read. (edited) 3y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Ncostell yes!! This book was awesome! 3y
60 likes5 comments
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Chessy777
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Pickpick

How brilliantly funny and sad was this. Absolutely loved it!

Leftcoastzen It‘s so good! 3y
Nute Welcome to Litsy! It‘s a warm and friendly community. I know that you will enjoy yourself here. I‘m looking forward to getting to know you!🙂
Check out #LitsyEvents for a varied listing of fun-related happenings within this neighborhood of fellow readers.🤗
3y
15 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Ast_Arslan
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#Sundaysoapbox @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

📚 The tagged one!
📚 A ladder to the sky - John Boyne
📚 Salem's Lot - Stephen King
📚 It - Stephen King
📚 Beautiful Malice - Rebecca James
📚 The 2nd coming - John Niven
📚 Dracula - Bram Stoker

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I have the first one on my shelf! Thank you for playing! 📚🙌🏻 3y
Ast_Arslan @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks you mean the tagged one? It's one of my fav of all times, absolutely superb ❤❤ 3y
34 likes2 comments
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jspoelker
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Mehso-so

This is a great story that starts and ends in a complete ⭕️. However, it is a long story that could be enjoyed by skipping parts… it‘s quite long. I can definitely imagine this as a movie akin to The Goldfinch. I love the exploration of the gay man growing up in the 50‘s through modern times being able to glimpse from a European and US first person POV the social changes in each decade including the aids crisis. It‘s a well told story for sure.

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CBee
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#12booksof2021 #March
Oh, this book ♥️♥️♥️ John Boyne is another favorite of mine now, thanks to Litsy 😊😊
@Andrew65

Andrew65 Love John Boyne but yet to read this. 3y
CBee @Andrew65 it‘s amazing!! One of my favorites this year. 3y
Andrew65 @CBee So much love for this book. 3y
See All 7 Comments
Crazeedi I haven't read many of his but I did read this one 3y
CBee @Crazeedi the only other one I‘ve read is A Ladder to the Sky, also excellent 👍🏻 3y
Crazeedi @CBee I have boy in striped pajamas on my shelf, unread as of now, need to focus on my physical books this year! 3y
CBee @Crazeedi 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 3y
68 likes1 stack add7 comments
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Ast_Arslan
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My life in a picture 😂

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ItsAnotherJen
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Pickpick

I had high expectations for this book. I've heard from many who say this is one of their most favorite books of all time. So I was disappointed at how the first half was. So sad. Such terrible things happened. But with such surprisingly funny lines sprinkled throughout. As the story continues to unfold, those funny moments increase. I really did enjoy the writing and how things ended up.
⭐⭐⭐⭐

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ItsAnotherJen
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Trashcanman Beautiful. 3y
64 likes1 comment
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taykdatilio
Pickpick

Loved!

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Anna40
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Pickpick

It is a pick, but just barely. I liked it, didn‘t love it and there is a lot to love about this book: the writing, the wit. However, the story progressed too slowly for me and the humour seemed a bit forced at times. I wish he had developed the character of Catherine Goggin more. I LOVED her and the first pages of the book. But fair enough - that‘s not the story Boyne wanted to tell.

MrsMalaprop I liked but didn‘t love this one. I remember thinking there were too many coincidences, but then someone told me he was doing it on purpose to emulate another author (can‘t recall who 🤔). 3y
Anna40 @MrsMalaprop maybe Dickens? 3y
CarolynM I'm also in the like rather than love camp, although in my case I liked the second half a lot more than the first. I agree with @MrsMalaprop about the coincidences🙄 3y
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MrsMalaprop John Irving maybe? Which is pretty funny given I am reading my first Irving right now! 3y
Anna40 @MrsMalaprop yes, that could be! He mentions that Irving is one of his favourite writers in an interview in the Guardian. 3y
Anna40 @MrsMalaprop @CarolynM I didn‘t mind the coincidences. There were a few things about the book that just didn‘t make it great for me, but I can see why so many people love it. 3y
30 likes6 comments
review
andrew61
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Pickpick

The story of Cyril avery from 1945 when his 16 yr old mother is hauled out of her pew by a priest + publicly humiliated as a whore in mass, through to hid final days had me at times laughing out loud to blubbing + wiping my eyes. A wonderful book that highlights the hypocrisy of religion, the definition of love,+ the fragility of humanity. I cld talk abt it for days 5*.
#Blackjack21 #booked2021 @BarbaraTheBibliophage @Cinfhen @4thhouseontheleft

BarbaraTheBibliophage I loved this book so much. Boyne is a master! 3y
Cinfhen Great choice! Such an amazing book. 3y
Anna40 Beautiful review 3y
Centique I loved this too! 3y
53 likes4 comments
quote
emilyywashere
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“Maybe there were no villains in my mother‘s story at all. Just men and women, trying to do their best by each other. And failing.”

kspenmoll This book❤️💜🤍 3y
marleed It‘s everything! 3y
17 likes2 comments
blurb
Kangaj1
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Running errands and stumbled across a library book sale set up outside right before a rainstorm. I rescued these beauties for $7!

DrexEdit Very nice haul! It's good you could be there to rescue a few books from the rain. 😄 I think I almost picked up that copy (or a copy) of the John Boyne book. lol! 3y
Kangaj1 @DrexEdit I was shocked at how many newer fiction titles I saw there! 3y
DrexEdit @Kangaj1 Same! I was expecting more used library books because my husband (who works at the library) said they had been weeding the shelves pretty seriously. I picked up a couple of books that looked brand new! I guess the library has secret sources! 😄 3y
Tamra Score! 3y
31 likes4 comments
review
Jeg
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Pickpick

This was a book club read and I really enjoyed the read and the discussion . Very interesting . Very different to the other book of his I have read The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas. #joysbooks2021