A review by melissaa123
A Ladder to the Sky, by John Boyne

3.0

Maurice Swift is the most despicable character I’ve come across, and I spent the majority of this book begging to find just one redeeming quality. This novel follows Maurice as he does (quite literally) whatever it takes to become a writer and a father - although the origins of these deep desires are never really explained. Maurice appears as more of a side character in the entire first half of the book, as the perspectives shift from different people he had wronged on his way to success. I found great pleasure in the fact that the author wouldn’t let this fictional narcissist be the main character in his own story, but unfortunately that was the only “win” I felt against Maurice as he subsequently bulldozed his way into the leading role in the remaining half. A Ladder In The Sky also portrays a glamorized artistic scene, where one or two time authors are regarded more as celebrities than I would imagine, but it helps reinforce why Maurice was so desperate and deceitful during his climb to the top. A dramatic family side story also proves that Maurice had plenty of juicy novel ideas right in front of him- yet he continued to pry original plots from the cold, dead hands of those that loved him most. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book, but I can’t say that I will excitedly recommend it to others.