I put the book off for so long because I couldn’t believe that the hype was real. How could a book be THAT amazing that everyone rave about it? Finally, after getting from the library twice and then buying it, I picked it up. And it quickly became one of my favorite books that I’ve read so far this year.

The story follows Cyril Avery, from the late 1940s when his mother is exiled from her rural Irish community because she is pregnant with him outside of wedlock through to the 1980s. As a gay man, Cyril navigates through a world that does not accept him, coming to terms with his sexuality and trying to find his place in the world. An engaging cast of characters comes in and out of his life, changing the cause of his life. The story is heartbreaking at times but Boyne also masterfully mixes in darkly humorous moments, breaking up what could be an entirely depressing book. The writing and characters are gorgeous and I can guarantee this will not be the last Boyne book that I read.

In short, I’m now a part of the John Boyne Fan Club. If you haven’t read this book, you need to go get it. Trust me.