Reviews

The Divine Ryans, by Wayne Johnston

john_sastrillo's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

snoda's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

turnedherbrain's review

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emotional funny reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

exurbanis's review against another edition

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5.0

This won the first Thomas Head Raddell Award for the best Atlantic Canadian adult fiction in 1991.

Set in St. John’s Newfoundland during the 1966-’67 hockey season, it centres on Draper Doyle Ryan, age 9, and the extended family in his home. They are known throughout St. John’s as the Divine Ryans because there were so many priests and nuns in the family. Our last family reunion, Uncle Reginald said, was known to the rest of the world as Vatican II.

His father died recently and Draper Doyle is seeing his ‘ghost’. Not to fear: the ghost is not the least bit supernatural, but rather psychological. Draper Doyle has “lost” a week of his life around his father’s death and funeral, and over this winter, in long talks with his Uncle Reginald, he (& we) discover the truth of what happened that week.

The Divine Ryans is a warm, funny and moving book about a boy’s coming to terms with his father’s death, and with his place in his family. I highly recommend it.

Read this if: just read it. 5 stars

bent's review against another edition

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3.0

An enjoyable book. I read it many years ago, and unfortunately remember little about it except the rivalry between the Ryans and their Protestant neighbours that was evidenced by the Ryans cheering for the Montreal Canadiens and the Protestant family cheering for the Toronto Maple Leafs. I do remember that is left me with a favourable opinion, however.

likecymbeline's review

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3.0

Very amusing book that ties hockey to Catholicism in ways I had never before imagined.
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