A review by daisygal
We'll All Be Burnt in Our Beds Some Night by Joel Thomas Hynes
4.0
I saw Joel Hynes talk about this book not long after it was released. The idea for the story he told was based on a real incident in his life (Johnny comes down to talk to the neighbour). The research - done by talking to inmates at the Her Majesty's Penitentiary down by the lake. Hearing him talk about this book, it was evidently a labour of love. After reading it, I can see why.
I wasn't planning on caring about Johnny Keough. How much can one care about a man who says he didn't assault his girlfriend and walks away a free man on a "technicality" if you will. But I did. I cared enough to wipe tears away at the end of the book.
We'll All Be Burnt in Our Beds Some Night is gritty, honest and blunt. You can almost hear Johnny himself tell you "if it bothers you that much put the fucking book down" but you can't. Johnny's journey is as far from a Hallmark movie as you can get. But it's real. It's honest. It's eye opening. Behind the bravado, court dockets and wrap sheet, is a person. You learn what makes him tick. And it's a hard read at times. Most of the time. But you want to read on. Whether you think you're a sucker for punishment or needing to know "now what?", Hynes keeps you invested in the story and Johnny when most would walk away.
Joel Hynes does a brilliant job getting Johnny into your head and your heart. It sets your mind thinking about who is behind the wall down at the lake and if given a different chance, would they too be outside walking by. At the end of the book, we're all looking for that ray of sunshine in our lives which makes us believe there's better out there and for our lives. Even if it is too late.
I wasn't planning on caring about Johnny Keough. How much can one care about a man who says he didn't assault his girlfriend and walks away a free man on a "technicality" if you will. But I did. I cared enough to wipe tears away at the end of the book.
We'll All Be Burnt in Our Beds Some Night is gritty, honest and blunt. You can almost hear Johnny himself tell you "if it bothers you that much put the fucking book down" but you can't. Johnny's journey is as far from a Hallmark movie as you can get. But it's real. It's honest. It's eye opening. Behind the bravado, court dockets and wrap sheet, is a person. You learn what makes him tick. And it's a hard read at times. Most of the time. But you want to read on. Whether you think you're a sucker for punishment or needing to know "now what?", Hynes keeps you invested in the story and Johnny when most would walk away.
Joel Hynes does a brilliant job getting Johnny into your head and your heart. It sets your mind thinking about who is behind the wall down at the lake and if given a different chance, would they too be outside walking by. At the end of the book, we're all looking for that ray of sunshine in our lives which makes us believe there's better out there and for our lives. Even if it is too late.