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eugen_wzrd's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
late_bette's review against another edition
3.0
While I ended up enjoying this book, it took me a very long time to become interested. I think only after reading the first 100 pages did I feel invested enough to continue.
The story was not what I expected after having such a difficult time beginning this book. The main character really finds himself in some unbelievable situations! I really enjoyed the descriptions of the supporting characters as well. I felt there were so many layers to how each relates to the main story.
To be truthful, it may have not been the book itself but the conditions during which I was reading it that made it difficult to focus. I was overseas and was not as committed to reading. This happened to be the only book I had with me so that is why I ended up finishing it. I am happy that I stuck with the story and overall thought it was a good book.
The story was not what I expected after having such a difficult time beginning this book. The main character really finds himself in some unbelievable situations! I really enjoyed the descriptions of the supporting characters as well. I felt there were so many layers to how each relates to the main story.
To be truthful, it may have not been the book itself but the conditions during which I was reading it that made it difficult to focus. I was overseas and was not as committed to reading. This happened to be the only book I had with me so that is why I ended up finishing it. I am happy that I stuck with the story and overall thought it was a good book.
apozerycki's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
amber2976's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
yelisiei's review against another edition
5.0
I grew up in 1990s Ukraine, so obviously I don’t have any nostalgia feelings while reading this novel. Or… wait a minute! These supermarkets start to grow in my hometown during late 1990s and early 2000s(yeah post Soviet countries including Russia are a little behind USA), when I was same age as Cory or a little bit older. But it was definitely for good, because previous small shops weren’t good in comparison with supermarkets. So I liked very much (loved? Time will show) this book without any nostalgia feelings. I love 1960s America though, I know it from films and other books.
Zephyr is one of the best fictional towns I have read about. I saw in some translations the book called “Zephyr, Alabama” and for me it’s god damn good name! Because I lived in this town during the whole year. With Cory. I know how the city works, how it is felt. This town is alive.
Every chapter in this book is like a separate story. It has beginning, climax, conclusion. The stories (chapters) are very different, about different themes. With every chapter McCammon adds a layer to Zephyr depth. He adds city legends and mythos. These mythos are not belong only to chapter when they were appear first time. They will play their role later. Sometimes significant role, sometimes will be just mentioned. But you know these mythos, you remember they, and in the end of the book you will have a feeling, that you know the whole city very well. Like it would be a real city.
There are fantasy elements here and there, but is Cory a reliable storyteller? Or maybe it was just his imagination? You never know.
There is a mystery in the book’s core, which holds all the chapters together. And conclusion of the mystery is very good.
Zephyr is one of the best fictional towns I have read about. I saw in some translations the book called “Zephyr, Alabama” and for me it’s god damn good name! Because I lived in this town during the whole year. With Cory. I know how the city works, how it is felt. This town is alive.
Every chapter in this book is like a separate story. It has beginning, climax, conclusion. The stories (chapters) are very different, about different themes. With every chapter McCammon adds a layer to Zephyr depth. He adds city legends and mythos. These mythos are not belong only to chapter when they were appear first time. They will play their role later. Sometimes significant role, sometimes will be just mentioned. But you know these mythos, you remember they, and in the end of the book you will have a feeling, that you know the whole city very well. Like it would be a real city.
There are fantasy elements here and there, but is Cory a reliable storyteller? Or maybe it was just his imagination? You never know.
There is a mystery in the book’s core, which holds all the chapters together. And conclusion of the mystery is very good.
northeastbookfan's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
goodvibeswife2016's review against another edition
5.0
I'm not ready to close the book. If I close it, it's over. I've finished it. And I'm not ready to do that. Perhaps I'll sleep with it under my pillow tonight, to influence my dreams into continuing on with the story.
Thank you once again Mr. McCammon, for gracing us with such a splendid southern sixties (literary) symposium. What a job well done 👍👍 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you once again Mr. McCammon, for gracing us with such a splendid southern sixties (literary) symposium. What a job well done 👍👍 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
literarymrsberry's review against another edition
I will get back to this book, but it’s not what I was looking for right now. Switching to something faster paced.
astronad's review against another edition
5.0
AND IF I WEEP????
10/10!!!! 5 STARS!!!
I see Ray Bradbury wherever I go (and I’m not complaining). Uncannily reminded me of a mix of Dandelion Wine and Something Wicked this way comes, two of my faves but, as I read on, it turned into something absolutely fantastic and uniquely original.
This book takes its time, not a second more and not a second less. Slow like molasses with intense payoffs. I was charmed immediately by the end of part 1.
To quote the book directly:
“It meandered like the river, and you never knew where you were going until you got there, but the journey was sweet and deep and left you wishing for more.”
And I cannot stress how much it means to me that this book called “Boy’s Life”, after hundreds of pages of the magic of “boyhood” ends in an epilogue where our main character is all grown up with a family of his own, with a daughter, and says that it’s a girl’s life too. It does mean so much to me.
I’m a sentimental person (hence the Bradbury fangirling) and this is just what I needed.
An aside: Sad that magical realism in americana is always relegated to coming or age or childrens stories. Plausible deniability probably. Westerner’s wouldn’t be caught dead believing in magic.
10/10!!!! 5 STARS!!!
I see Ray Bradbury wherever I go (and I’m not complaining). Uncannily reminded me of a mix of Dandelion Wine and Something Wicked this way comes, two of my faves but, as I read on, it turned into something absolutely fantastic and uniquely original.
This book takes its time, not a second more and not a second less. Slow like molasses with intense payoffs. I was charmed immediately by the end of part 1.
To quote the book directly:
“It meandered like the river, and you never knew where you were going until you got there, but the journey was sweet and deep and left you wishing for more.”
And I cannot stress how much it means to me that this book called “Boy’s Life”, after hundreds of pages of the magic of “boyhood” ends in an epilogue where our main character is all grown up with a family of his own, with a daughter, and says that it’s a girl’s life too. It does mean so much to me.
I’m a sentimental person (hence the Bradbury fangirling) and this is just what I needed.
An aside: Sad that magical realism in americana is always relegated to coming or age or childrens stories. Plausible deniability probably. Westerner’s wouldn’t be caught dead believing in magic.