The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket

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The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket

by John Boyne, Oliver Jeffers (Illustrations)

3.95 of 5 stars 3.95 · rating details · 377 ratings · 128 reviews

There's nothing unusual about the Brockets. Normal, respectable, and proud of it, they turn up their noses at anyone strange or different. But from the moment Barnaby Brocket comes into the world, it's clear he's anything but ordinary. To his parents' horror, Barnaby defies the laws of gravity - and floats.

Desperate to please his parents, Barnaby does his best to keep both...more

Hardcover, 278 pages

Published August 2nd 2012 by Doubleday Childrens

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Sep 06, 2012 Vivienne Serendipity Reviews rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: wishlist

The terrible thing that happened to Barnaby Brocket, wasn't really a terrible thing in my eyes, because it made him see how truly special he was. OK, his mother went against any scrap of maternal instinct she might have had and didn't really lose any sleep over what she did, but to be honest, Barnaby was much better off with out his parents.
Barnaby was exceptional, clever, mature and thoughtful; the kind of child you would love and adore. The only thing that made him different from other childr...more The terrible thing that happened to Barnaby Brocket, wasn't really a terrible thing in my eyes, because it made him see how truly special he was. OK, his mother went against any scrap of maternal instinct she might have had and didn't really lose any sleep over what she did, but to be honest, Barnaby was much better off with out his parents.
Barnaby was exceptional, clever, mature and thoughtful; the kind of child you would love and adore. The only thing that made him different from other children was that he could float and when he began to float he normally had difficulty stopping. His unique ability made him different and his parents just couldn't cope with it. They were just too nomal, living in Normalville, with every aspect of their life in line with normality. To me normal is boring, so I quickly dismissed his parents and not worth having, reminiscent of Matilda's parents in Roald Dahl's classic.
The comparisons to Dahl are well founded, as the story brings back to life the horrible adults, Roald Dahl was so famous for creating. The story has the same kind of magic, that Dahl was so good at breathing into his books. There is also that strong sense of good morals and justice being served to those who aren't very nice. I can almost imagineRoald Dahl nodding his head in approval at such a brilliant contrast to his own work.
This book really makes you realise that it is perfectly fine to be different from everyone else. You don't have to follow the crowd, you can be yourself and you won't appear abnormal. Your uniqueness makes you special.
I loved the way Barnaby would pay it forward for every kind act that came his way. He never took for granted the help he received from others and always went out of his way to return the favour. With each new person he met, he took away valuable lessons which helped him to love who he was.
I adored the illustrations within the book, with the postcards being some of my favourites. Oliver Jeffers excellent art work reminded me so much of Quentin Blake's illustrations which were often used with Roald Dahl's books.
This really is a timeless and beautiful tale that will find a home among the best loved chidren's classics. (less)

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Apr 27, 2013 Sam rated it 4 of 5 stars

I got this book through a goodreads giveaway and hoped that it might spark a renewed interest in reading in my maths/science obsessed daughter. After reading the blurb and flicking through it she asked if we could read it together so we spent the weekend doing just that.
Barnaby Brocket is a boy who can float and goes on some adventures all around the world. It's a typical kids book, however it also has a hidden depth to it that perhaps not all younger readers will appreciate. It makes you quest...more

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Mar 17, 2013 Catchheno rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: book-challenge-2013, reviewed, in-your-pants

The beginning of this slightly reminded me of the start of Harry Potter and the Camber of Secrets just regarding a normal family who hated anything out of the ordinary.

I adore stories that are made for children, because of the fast pace which the writers have to use, if they want to keep their young readers entertained, the simplicity used - no deep symbolism thank you very much and just the very fun themes that are regularly used. This book is no exception. John Boyne mushed all of the above th...more The beginning of this slightly reminded me of the start of Harry Potter and the Camber of Secrets just regarding a normal family who hated anything out of the ordinary.

I adore stories that are made for children, because of the fast pace which the writers have to use, if they want to keep their young readers entertained, the simplicity used - no deep symbolism thank you very much and just the very fun themes that are regularly used. This book is no exception. John Boyne mushed all of the above things together - which I appreciate about children's fiction and as a result I found it very much worth reading.

The book is quite fast paced which is appropriately needed for the target audience. It achieves a fast pace because of all the wonderful things that happen in this book; Barnaby Brocket goes on an awful lot of exciting adventures, meets and helps people along the way and makes great friends.

A simple easy read- without beginning belittling. Sentences throughout the book generally state their point quite clearly and effectively. I liked the simplicity, I liked it so much because it is nice to only have to read a paragraph once to understand it and it is completely lovely, when a author decides I'm not going to beat around the bush, no I'm just going to simply tell the story as it should be told.

I liked the simple theme that the author used; the theme of not fitting in -being regarded as "different" and sometimes branded as a "freak", but finally embracing your differences in the end and loving yourself for them. It is a good message for children, that standing out from a crowd- isn't always a bad thing.

My Cat Catch Book Rating Scale above- I really liked it (4/5 cats)
Cat Cat Rating Scale- http://minstrelcrazy.blogspot.ie/p/re...

Unfortunately , two problems arose: a) At some points I found myself skimming over pages and not paying much attention to the story but that could be due to tiredness or just down to my easily distracted self...b) Often, when a small disaster is going to happen or other occurrences, there are often subtle hints a page to a page and a half before it happens. The problem with these hints, is that they are far too obvious, luckily it isn't just one big twist that is ruined but some of the smaller ones...(less)

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Feb 10, 2013 Josine rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket by John Boyne (Doubleday) ISBN 978-0-857-53146-9

John Boyne’s third novel for young readers has been listed for the Irish Book Award: Children’s Book of the Year and the Carnegie Medal 2013. It tells the story of Barnaby Brocket, born in Sydney “the Most Magnificent City in the World, to parents who above all else need their lives and children to be normal.

That is where the trouble begins since Barnaby is not normal. Defying the laws of gravity...more

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Feb 05, 2013 Sam rated it 4 of 5 stars

Curiously a couple of years ago I was attracted to the novel 'The Girl Who Could Fly' by Victoria Forester. That novel began with wonderfully funny prose about a child born to float and parents scared of what the neighbours would think: 'When she finally turned five and still floated clear across a room her parents finally admitted the truth to themselves ‘Seems like our child ain’t normal is all I’m saying,’ Betty McCloud told Doc Bell. It was decided that ‘home school’ was the best decision.

Bu...more Curiously a couple of years ago I was attracted to the novel 'The Girl Who Could Fly' by Victoria Forester. That novel began with wonderfully funny prose about a child born to float and parents scared of what the neighbours would think: 'When she finally turned five and still floated clear across a room her parents finally admitted the truth to themselves ‘Seems like our child ain’t normal is all I’m saying,’ Betty McCloud told Doc Bell. It was decided that ‘home school’ was the best decision.

But a girl who wants to fly will eventually fly; she is eventually found out and the child cruelly snatched from her loving parents by a sinister Government agency.

In John Boyne's tale (with quirky funny drawings by Oliver Jeffers) the difference is that the boy, Barnaby is born to parents so desperate to be normal, so mortified by a child they can't keep down, the mother in particular resents and eventually hates the kid enough to 'let him go' knowing that he will float off and never be seen again. The father concurs and it seems the only person to miss him is his dog called Captain W. E. Johns.

Barnaby is born and bred in Sydney, Australia and not a boy to be got rid off so easily. He is rescued by two ladies (who dare to be different) and who own a coffee plantation in Brazil. This is where Barnaby wakes up and he spends the rest of the book and many more journeys trying to get back home learning that some people are quiet happy being different and almost everyone is messed up in some way trying to live up to their parents expectations. (Though John Boyne should know that there are no trains from Brazil to New York (although there should be)). In Sydney, Barnaby makes friends with a boy with hooks for hands and we learn pretty early on he's minded to accept people for who they are. And despite his horrid parents he sends them postcards telling them of his desperate efforts to get back to Australia.

Two quite different novels, but both starting out in the same place. Neither one goes where you think it might and both are fun to read and would appeal to age 10 plus readers anywhere. I loved Jeffers illustrations and I only wish more kid's books were illustrated.(less)

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Jan 26, 2013 Karen Yingling rated it 2 of 5 stars

Eleanor and Alistair Brocket are perfectly normal, as are their children, Henry and Melanie. When Barnaby is born, however, he upsets their perfect life because he does not obey gravity-- he floats. This poses many problems, especially as Barnaby grows older. He is sent to a school with very low expectations-- Graveling Academy-- where he doesn't learn much but at least makes a friend before the school burns to the ground. Barnaby's parents make him wear heavy sandbags so he doesn't float away,...more Eleanor and Alistair Brocket are perfectly normal, as are their children, Henry and Melanie. When Barnaby is born, however, he upsets their perfect life because he does not obey gravity-- he floats. This poses many problems, especially as Barnaby grows older. He is sent to a school with very low expectations-- Graveling Academy-- where he doesn't learn much but at least makes a friend before the school burns to the ground. Barnaby's parents make him wear heavy sandbags so he doesn't float away, but after he inadvertently calls attention to the family, his parents decide that dealing with him for eight years is enough, and his mother takes him on a walk and cuts holes in his sandbags. Floating away, he runs into two friends who are in a hot air balloon. They think that being different is a fine thing, and take Barnaby back to their coffee plantation in Brazil before putting him on a plane back to Australia. Instead of going there, Barnaby goes to New York City, where he has several adventures while trying to locate a friend of the coffee plantation owners. Barnaby continues his travels, meeting all sorts of eccentric people who embrace their own differences, but eventually comes to the attention of an evil man who runs a "Freak circus". In escaping that, he ends up being rescued by a space shuttle. When the astronauts bring him home and reunite him with his parents, doctors examining him after his adventure tell his parents that his antigravity condition could be fixed. While his parents are ecstatic, Barnaby is sure that he doesn't want to change who he is, and decides to set off on his own yet again.

Strengths: This book would be good for fans of Roald Dahl who enjoy reading about really horrible adults. This also struck me as a bit like The Little Prince. Barnaby is able to travel all around the world and meet people who have very large differences, but can still celebrate those differences.

Weaknesses: This was a rather odd book. While fans of British children's fiction will adore this, it might be a hard sell to the average US young reader. I will probably be sending my copy on to another school library.(less)

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Oct 23, 2012 Betsy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: adventure, e-books, fantasy, middle-grades, arc

I was drawn to this book because I like quirky stories, and I'm a huge fan of Oliver Jeffers (the illustrator). And this book started out great! Poor Barnaby Brockett, born to terrible parents, sibling to two very ordinary kids, and master to one devoted dog. The book reads much as a classic Roald Dahl book might (complete with TERRIBLE parents!), and Jeffers's illustrations add a similar touch as Quentin Blake's might.

And yet, the book gets both more absurd and a trifle more boring in the secon...more

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Sep 28, 2012 Claire Russell rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Terrible thing that happened to Barnaby Brocket is a great read. It tells the story of a little boy who is born into a family who are obsessive about normality, who don't wish to stand out at all in anyway, ever! Unfortunately for them when Barnaby, their third child is born, he can float! This is a terrible inconvenience for the Brocket's who like to have an ordered life. Barnaby is not let out of the family house for the first years of his life. His parents put a mattress on the ceiling to...more

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Aug 22, 2012 Jeanbooknerd rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviews

John Boyne’s heart-warming tale in The Terrible Thing that Happened to Barnaby Brocket, is a story about a boy who accepts his differences and celebrates them. He is one of those rare fictional characters that truly speaks from the heart. The book proves that a story does not need guns or violence to tell an adventure. Barnaby’s peculiar gravity-defying journey shows his appreciation towards his differences rather than changing to fit it with the majority, is an incredibly charming way to convey...more

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Aug 05, 2012 Romi rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adult, all-time-favourite, any-age, five-star-review, middle-grade-fiction, quote-worthy, top-100, top-fifty, young-adult

I have to start this review off by saying four words that end with at least five exclaimations-

I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!

My first, and before reading this only, John Boyne book was The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas- I tried to read Noah Barleywater runs away a few years after, but I found it awkward to get into and ended up deciding not to continue with it- that fact made me a little bit worried that I wouldn't like Barnaby Brocket, but those worries were shot to pieces upon reading the first one, two,...more I have to start this review off by saying four words that end with at least five exclaimations-

I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!

My first, and before reading this only, John Boyne book was The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas- I tried to read Noah Barleywater runs away a few years after, but I found it awkward to get into and ended up deciding not to continue with it- that fact made me a little bit worried that I wouldn't like Barnaby Brocket, but those worries were shot to pieces upon reading the first one, two, three pages. I was immediately captivated by the writing that had, many years ago, captivated me and held me as I read the story of two very different boys. This story is completely different from that one, but it is just as thrilling a read, leaves just as important a message, though in both a very different and a similar way. John Boyne is able to weave words to do his bidding in a way few authors are able to, he is able to hint at things subtly and then leave the reader to guess what the meaning of it was, and those subtlies, those touches, make this a story beyond compare.

There was not one thing I disliked about this story- the whole thing was mysterious and also a learning experiance in acceptance and being yourself, and for all that, it will forever stay with me.

The story of Barnaby Brocket is shocking and warming, his adventures across the world, meeting wonderous people, learning their stories of acceptance and trouble, the way they made their ways, is beautiful, and I saw many things that I wouldn't have seen if I had read this at a younger age, things that, if I had read this as an eleven year old and then again as a sixteen year old, I would have probably have been shocked by but then entranced by- I found the way Mr. Boyne managed to smuggle these things into his novel beautiful.

I commend anyone who writes such beautiful works of art, and know only that this will forever be a treasured posession that I will gladly share with my family so they can find the joy in this tale as I have done.
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Jan 07, 2013 Brittany rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: goodreads-giveaways-wins

I won this book for free from the Goodread's First Reads giveaway.

"The Terrible Thing that Happened to Barnaby Brocket" is listed as a childrens novel. I believe the target audience for the story is directed at ages 8 to 13, but I feel this story can be read by all ages. I can see a lot of adults really enjoying it. I would rate the book about 3.75-4/5.

This book is extremely far-fetched and make-believe but thats what makes it so unique and interesting. The moral of the story shows that it is ok...more

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Dec 28, 2012 Gigi rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: People who like Roald Dahl

Shelves: read-in-2013

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Poor Barnaby Brocket was born into a family that just wanted to be normal, with normal parents and normal kids. They didn't like anything that brought attention to them. Unfortunately, their third child Barnaby was different from most kids. He was born without the ability to keep his feet on the ground. He literally floated into the air unless he was weighted or tethered somehow. In his parents eyes, this difference was shameful and should be hidden as much as possible.

His horrible parents tell...more Poor Barnaby Brocket was born into a family that just wanted to be normal, with normal parents and normal kids. They didn't like anything that brought attention to them. Unfortunately, their third child Barnaby was different from most kids. He was born without the ability to keep his feet on the ground. He literally floated into the air unless he was weighted or tethered somehow. In his parents eyes, this difference was shameful and should be hidden as much as possible.

His horrible parents tell him at every turn how embarrassed they are of him and his insistence on being different. Finally when Barnaby is eight years old, his parents do the unthinkable, they let him go. His awful mother takes him to Sydney, cuts holes in his weighted rucksack and lets him float away.

This leads to many exciting, if not outrageous, adventures for Barnaby. He bumps into a hot air balloon occupied by two elderly women who take him to their coffee farm in Brazil. The farm is home to a host of people who don't fit in with conventional norms. From there he travels to New York, where he befriends a window washer and ends up helping the man become a recognized artist. His travels continue to Canada, Ireland and finally to a space shuttle that eventually lands back in Sydney where he is reunited with his family. His siblings are thrilled, but his neglectful parents are not so welcoming.

I won't spoil the end, but suffice it to say, Barnaby has some decisions to make.

This book has a definite Roald Dahl-like feel with the terrible parents and the child with a special ability. The illustrations even seem to be similar to Quentin Blake's illustrations. It also has many strange and outlandish experiences like Roald Dahl's books, but a few too many actually. While the message of the book is a common and valid one, be yourself and accept others, the outrageousness of it actually gets in the way of completely delivering this message. Barnaby does not stay anywhere long enough for the reader to really get to know any of the characters. In fact Barnaby himself is not a very well developed or believable character. He is supposed to touch the lives of so many in his travels, but the experiences are superficial.

Children who enjoy books with world travels and quirky characters may enjoy this book.

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Apr 27, 2013 Laura Pilcher rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: adventure, childrens, first-reads-giveaways

Genre - Childrens, Adventure
Age Target - 8-15 (but a wonderful read for adults too)
Pages - 278

What an absolute GEM of a book!

Barnaby Brocket is born into a strictly "Normal" family. From the day of his birth he has been anything but "Normal" in his parents's eyes. Barnaby Brocket can't keep his feet on the ground, literally, he floats! (not a spoiler discovered straight away in book and in synopsis)
Barnaby's parents are so embarrassed that Barnaby doesn't conform to their view of normal that t...more

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Mar 10, 2013 Roxana rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I finished this book in record time! I just enjoyed and couldn't stop reading.
Once more John Boyne shared with us a story where the main character is a little boy of 8 years old. Barnaby Brocket is "normal" in everything else except in his particular condition: he is not affected by the law of gravity. And his parents, being so normal, couldn't understand why he was like that, they where actually ashame of him...
Once again John Boyne confont us with one of the worst flaws of human being: the fea...more

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Sep 28, 2012 Lisa Salter rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, young-adult

Barnaby floats, he can't keep his feet on the ground for more than a few seconds. His parents don't like it, they just want a 'normal' life. They decide that they must let Barnably go and the Mum takes him for a walk and 'loses' him along the way. This is where Barnaby' s adventures start. While this could spell disaster, Barnaby has some luck, meets some kind people, learns about other people who aren't 'normal', gets helped, helps others and runs into an old friend. Over time Barnaby starts to...more

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Mar 18, 2013 Laura rated it 3 of 5 stars

A rather sweet fable that calls to mind Hector and the Search for Happiness, albeit with Roald Dahl levels of parental abuse and neglect that made it difficult to read at times. I was happy to see the inclusion of a lesbian couple, which would be obvious to an adult reader, but probably not to a grade-school kid. A young woman pregnant out of wedlock was also addressed delicately, merely in the context of her relationship to her family. Well done.

Favorite quotes:

"It's my own fault, really," he s...more

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Apr 18, 2013 Josiah rated it 2 of 5 stars

"It is possible, you know, to drift off to an unknown world and find happiness there. Maybe even more happiness than you've ever known before."

—Eleanor, The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket, PP. 78-79

I'd be curious to know the literary influences that weighed strongest on John Boyne's mind while writing this book. Clearly The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket is more than just an absurdist adventure tale about a situation that seemingly could never be, in which a...more

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Jul 24, 2012 Kat rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: age-9-12

This is a great book recommend to those who love Roald Dahl. It has the unique child with the amazing gift but is stuck with despicable parents (and I mean it. I was appalled at how awful the mother and father were in this book. They should not have been allowed to have children and wanting to be THAT normal, is itself not normal at all!!!!) a la Matilda, with the kind of fantastical adventure (visits to a whole host of foreign countries, not to mention Outer space, or I should say Middle space)...more

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Jul 22, 2012 Kirsty (overflowing library) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: review-books

I absolutely loved this book. It is far younger than what I would ever normally pick up and read but it is awesome in so many ways.

Firstly the message this book gives out is brilliant. It really plays with the idea about what it means to be different and how those differences should be celebrated. I loved how Barnaby just went with it and embraced his differences despite being brought up in a home with parents who loathed his differences. There a times in the book when you really feel for poor...more

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Jul 21, 2012 Rachel rated it 5 of 5 stars

I don't really know what else to say apart from, I LOVE this book! It's just one of those rare novels that's heart-warming and sweet in every way possible. You really shouldn't be put off by the almost childish cover (in my opinion, it's so cute!) because this book shouldn't be missed by anybody! It's definitely a book that can be enjoyed by all ages!

One thing I adored about this book, is that it reminded me so much of Roald Dahl's books! And who doesn't love Roald Dahl?! Yet again just let me s...more I don't really know what else to say apart from, I LOVE this book! It's just one of those rare novels that's heart-warming and sweet in every way possible. You really shouldn't be put off by the almost childish cover (in my opinion, it's so cute!) because this book shouldn't be missed by anybody! It's definitely a book that can be enjoyed by all ages!

One thing I adored about this book, is that it reminded me so much of Roald Dahl's books! And who doesn't love Roald Dahl?! Yet again just let me stress out, THIS CAN BE ENJOYED BY ALL AGES! Please, oh please, oh please don't dismiss this just because you think it's childish! It's such a unique, one-off story that leaves you with such a warm, fuzzy feeling inside! I literally feel priviledged to have read it!

I felt like I was right there with Barnaby, exploring the world with him during the time when I was reading this! He went to so many places and met so many wonderful people who taught him that being yourself is much better than being someone your not. Each person affected Barnaby and vice versa. Whenever I was reading this book, I was smiling to myself. And when Barnaby started to devolp and grow as a character, well that was just the cherry on top!

Overall, Barnaby was a very sweet character with a very good heart. It's almost like he saw everything in black and white. He spoke what he felt when he felt like saying it. When your eight years old that's just what you do. You see everything in the most simplest of ways and don't understand how anything could be more complex that that. I adored him and for some reason I really wanted to be the one to keep him safe. Not only did he affect everyone else he met when on his adventures, he also taught me a valuable lesson.

To conclude, The Terrible Thing That Happened To Barnaby Brocket is a heart-warming, adorable read that stuck in my head long after the final page was turned. I recommend it to anyone and everyone! Whether you read it to yourself or your family, just make sure you READ IT! I also want to add that there are some beautiful illustrations throughout (by Oliver Jeffers) that you won't want to miss either! GET THIS BOOK! *cue puppy eyes*

http://onceuponabook-rachel.blogspot....(less)

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Mar 11, 2013 Alex Baugh rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: randomly-reading

Barnaby Brocket was born in Sydney, Australia to a very normal family and in fact, up to the moment of his birth, the Brockets prided themselves on just how normal they were. But then Barnaby was born and first thing he did was float and their whole normal existence was turned upside down. Because Barnaby didn't stop floating and pretty soon there were mattresses nailed to the ceilings so that Barnaby wouldn't hurt himself.

Now if his parents were ashamed of Barnaby, his older brother Henry and...more

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Feb 19, 2013 Green Bean rated it 4 of 5 stars

Never has a boy acted more like a bubble! Sydney native Barnaby Brocket, born to the world's most run-of-the-mill mom and dad, is simply incapable of obeying the laws of gravity! A horrible "accident" involving a hole snipped in Barnaby's specialty sandbag backpack sends this brave young satellite spiraling off into the stratosphere. Barnaby's rescued mid-flight by a pair of a hot air ballooning coffee farmers who grant him a little R&R on their land in Brazil. Barnaby visits the alarming Ne...more

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Mar 10, 2013 Dijon Chiasson rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: children-s-lit

Don't get me wrong, I liked this book. It read like Roald Dahl meets Harry Potter, the idea was cute, and it had nice artwork.

It was also extremely repetitive and heavy-handed. How many times does he have to run into someone and have them say: I was different than my parents and they tried to force me to take on their definition of normal. If only they had just let ME be ME. Certainly not 100 times, Mr. Boyne.

This story could have been told more effectively in a 50 page storybook format geared...more

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Aug 16, 2012 Ryan rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: children-9-12

There is a Japanese proverb that states: "The nail that sticks out gets hammered down." This practically sums up the view Barnaby Brocket's parents take on his complete disregard for the Laws of Gravity. It really doesn't matter that he's a caring and intelligent boy. He draws attention to himself. And that's not normal. And what isn't normal is just bad and completely unlovable under any circumstance, thank you very much.

I was very much looking forward to reading this book (mainly due to the wa...more There is a Japanese proverb that states: "The nail that sticks out gets hammered down." This practically sums up the view Barnaby Brocket's parents take on his complete disregard for the Laws of Gravity. It really doesn't matter that he's a caring and intelligent boy. He draws attention to himself. And that's not normal. And what isn't normal is just bad and completely unlovable under any circumstance, thank you very much.

I was very much looking forward to reading this book (mainly due to the way the cover looked which is an issue I kind of need to resolve). A triumphant fist pump followed the conclusion of the first chapter, both because it introduces the Brocket family and sets the tone of the book perfectly and also because I believed I had made a great book buying decision. Sadly, the book begins to lose it's touch a quarter of the way through as the same underlying theme is represented time and time again in a different part of the world.

The book should have been called "The Terrible Things That Happened To The People Barnaby Brocket Met". Once Barnaby is betrayed and set loose to float as far away from home as possible, each chapter there after is practically dedicated to a cast of certain characters he befriends around the world on his quest to return home. This is perhaps the books biggest strength. John Boyne has done an excellent job of creating believable, well rounded and deep characters. Along the way we meet two elderly ladies who I can only assume are lesbians, a pregnant teenage girl, a facially disfigured gentleman, and an old man with only months to live amongst others. Each character, it turns out, have all been victim to one terrible thing or another which for the most part takes the form of parental abandonment. These encounters serve Barnaby a lesson about how you shouldn't change who you are just for the benefit of those who refuse to understand you. "It's okay to be different." A good message, delivered well.

However, as well as John Boyne did in bringing these characters to life, there was one character who fell short throughout in my opinion, and it's the most important one. Barnaby Brocket has about as much pizzaz as a squashed conker. He is perhaps the most one dimensional character I've had the misfortune of sharing an entire book with. He's flatter than Flat Stanley. His only redeeming feature seems to be that he floats and reads nothing but Children's Classics. He's also boring. There was only one time I felt for the boy, which was when his mother demanded threateningly that he stop floating and he replied sadly "But I can't." My ice cold heart thawed slightly at this. However that was early on, and as time went on my heart became icy once more. The last straw came when he revealed he didn't like Peanut Butter.

All in all, I came away from the book disappointed. Perhaps John Boyne will think twice about playing it so safe with the protagonist in his next book. And think especially hard about throwing out wanton remarks about Peanut Butter.

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Apr 27, 2013 Anthony Burt rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is a short but beautifully written little children's book (although written for adults too with some very adult humour kids won't get) about a small boy who floats. But really it is about celebrating being different instead of normal and Barnaby Brocket goes on a surprisingly epic journey across the world meeting all kinds of quirky, different people who persuade him that the fact he floats - so stands out from the crowd - is a special thing.

What makes this book stand out is the fact the pa...more

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Aug 05, 2012 SJH (A Dream of Books) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: for-review, childrens

This is a charming and heartwarming story about a young boy who dares to be different. I wouldn't normally have picked this one up because it is predominantly aimed at younger readers but I'm so glad that I got the opportunity to read it because it was simply lovely. The perfect book to put a smile on your face at all the exciting and wonderful adventures that our hero Barnaby gets up to along the way.

I should mention that there are also some wonderful illustrations throughout the book by Oliver...more

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Mar 04, 2013 Charlou Lunsford rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: j

Barnaby's parents were big fans of normal. And boring. And respectable. And there were until their third child, Barnaby, is born. He's just a bit different. He's just not grounded. So they set him free for a worldwide adventure. Good read aloud.
Why I picked it up - it was written by John Boyne the writer of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers. Of course I would pick it up.

Why I finished it - So different from Pajamas, quirky and whimsical.
"Bark!" he barked. "Bark!...more

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Mar 13, 2013 Chris Go rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: two-cows-green-in-march

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I am surprised this book didn’t make me breakdown in tears, and stay in bed for a week. But maybe it didn’t because I didn’t initially connect all of the dots. It is the first time though I have read a book that dealt with something from my past that is hard to put into words. I don't think my words though will do it justice.

In the book, Barnaby Brocket is born flying. He refuses to obey the laws of gravity. His doctors are stumped and send Barnaby home with his parents. Everyone hopes it is jus...more

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Feb 22, 2013 Emrys rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: fans of Roald Dahl and anyone who wants to be themselves above all else

Recommended to Emrys by: a school librarian

I really did love this book. The only reason took me two and a half weeks to write about it, is because I needed that long to think about what it all meant to me. I've decided that it meant a lot, and that being who you are is everything. No one else could ever be Barnaby Brockett, but neither can any of the rest of us be duplicated or truly undone.

The first thing to learn in this book it what it means to be normal, and the last thing to learn in this book is that being normal is impossible. Nor...more I really did love this book. The only reason took me two and a half weeks to write about it, is because I needed that long to think about what it all meant to me. I've decided that it meant a lot, and that being who you are is everything. No one else could ever be Barnaby Brockett, but neither can any of the rest of us be duplicated or truly undone.

The first thing to learn in this book it what it means to be normal, and the last thing to learn in this book is that being normal is impossible. Normally we all are just simply what we are. We can try to be what others want, but deep in our heart of hearts, we cannot change. We can’t help our differences and our talents.

Barnaby is an exceptionally different young boy, whose parents consider themselves exceptionally normal. To put it lightly, they disapprove of their youngest son. They have an image in their minds of what they wanted him to be, and they cannot stand the sight of him for being something else. Using their very best judgment, they do the most terrible thing. They cut their eight year old son loose. It is only through the help of two complete strangers that he is able to survive their attempt at his disposal. Throughout the book, Barnaby makes his way across the world. Everywhere he goes he meets new people who will usually help him, rescue him in a way that his parents never could have, a feat that he is quite surprised by. He repays their favors how he can, and in getting to know these new friends he finds that they have usually had troubles similar to him. Most of his friends have been abandoned or rejected by their families because of things about them that are different, or because they didn't want to become what their parents wanted them to be. Some of these differences Barnaby can spot easily, like the art collector with the bad burns, but some differences Barnaby can’t see or understand, like the young girl in Brazil, or the old ladies who have lived together so happily for so many years. Some families try to make up, but most will never succeed, or even try.

The enlightening thing is that all of these people don’t let their lights be dampened by those misgivings. They paint, and sculpt, and give life, and embrace love, because it is what makes them happy and whole. It doesn't matter if not one other person understands their dreams, they live them anyways. Barnaby similarly has trouble keeping his feet on the ground, but he doesn't learn how to fly his own way, and he can’t take care of himself yet. He says himself time and again that he’s only eight, and he doesn't know how to go anywhere else but home.

The saddest part of this book, is that since Barnaby Brockett is an eight year old boy, and perhaps because he was socialized so little as he grew up, he continues to see his family as the shining light at the end of his journey. And he has a dauntless refrain of correcting people who say that their city is the best in the world. His home is the real best. There is no sarcasm, no exaggeration in his statement. He sees the world and finds more friends than he has ever had, but his home is the best because it is what he already knows. Though people tell him time and again that nothing will have changed, he baselessly trusts that upon his return, his home will welcome him back, and he will be able to please his parents. This time, this time, it will all be okay.

The ending seems to be one that you can take two different ways. I saw it, sadly, as a little boy who finally had his travels catch up with him. Every lesson he’d been taught breaking through all at once and cracking him into disillusionment. His parents will never love him as he is, they've never loved him at all. He met some wonderful exceptions, across the globe and in close orbit to it, but the people that really matter will never accept him. And since he can’t bring himself to change for them, he takes himself out of the equation. Why struggle on when you could instead let yourself go, and become one with the beautiful open night sky. Floating free and untroubled forever.

Maybe a true dreamer can see a future for Barnaby beyond the stars, maybe they can see him strike coincidence and sweet circumstance. And maybe he will have adventures beyond even his own wildest dreams. Maybe I have grown up too much to see him as anything but all out of luck, a little boy whose parents never loved him, a kid who finally gave up on them and everything, and who’s gone.

So overall, this was a great book. At different times it reminded me of Harry Potter and very occasionally A Series of Unfortunate Events, but through and through, the author was channeling Roald Dahl.

It had great writing, cool characters, a fun plot, and wonderfully penetrating messages that practically everyone can relate to directly. I can fault nothing of its construction or intent. The only drawback to my experience was the lingering since of melancholy that lasted long after I let the pages rest. Perhaps readers could take it in different ways, but I saw the ending as quite sad. There is a dark sort of beauty to Barnaby’s last action, but mostly it left me feeling a sense of loss and sadness.

The lesson of the story lies in a wonderful metaphor connecting Barnaby, who literally cannot keep his feet on the ground, and all of those wonderful dreamers with their heads in the clouds.
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Jan 10, 2013 Heidi rated it 2 of 5 stars

2.5 Stars

Reading The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket by John Boyne was a bit of a stretch for me, even as an avid Middle Grade fan, perhaps because the book skews toward the younger end of that spectrum (around age 8). While it was adventurous, charming, and wonderfully written, it was also too heavy handed for my tastes. I believe it will be an ideal book for many children (or adults) who need to feel as if it is okay to be something other than “normal”, but complete lack of sub...more 2.5 Stars

Reading The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket by John Boyne was a bit of a stretch for me, even as an avid Middle Grade fan, perhaps because the book skews toward the younger end of that spectrum (around age 8). While it was adventurous, charming, and wonderfully written, it was also too heavy handed for my tastes. I believe it will be an ideal book for many children (or adults) who need to feel as if it is okay to be something other than “normal”, but complete lack of subtlety and a requirement for the suspension of disbelief beyond what I myself am willing to give made The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket a poor match for this particular reader.

I elected to read John Boyne’s most recent book largely because I had heard such wonderful things about the very successful, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. In whimsy and style, I was not disappointed. I could easily imagine the audio for The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket being narrated by Jim Dale (the man who captures charm through narration like none other), and would instantly liken the writing to one of my all time favorites–Roald Dahl. However, where Roald Dahl coaxes readers along to a message through a marvelous tale, John Boyne has veritably beaten us over the head with his message, the adventure becoming almost a side show to this main act of proselytizing.

“Anyway, the point is, just because your version of normal isn’t the same as someone else’s version doesn’t mean that there’s anything wrong with you.”

Is the message something I disagree with? Absolutely not! Boyne works very hard to show us through the tale of Barnaby Brocket that there is no such thing as normal. Sometimes (all too often, in fact), those who are supposed to love us and support us unconditionally (our parents) are unable to accept the fact that we are different from what they had envisioned when they decided to raise a child. We might choose a career path they don’t approve of, we might love someone they don’t approve of, or, as in the case of Barnaby, we may have an innate nature they don’t approve of. You see, Barnaby floats. He can’t help it, since he was born he has been unable to keep his feet on the ground. As you can imagine, this makes all sorts of daily tasks difficult (just imagine going to the bathroom), but as Barnaby knows no other way to be, he has much less difficulty accepting this fate than his parents who are bent on having the most normal of families.

This is where my willing suspension of disbelief began to wear off. I am a reader of speculative fiction. I can accept without difficulty the notion of a child who floats, a woman who disappears when she sneezes, or the power of coincidence, but when literally every person that Barnaby meets throughout his travels can relate to him because they have had similar family issues, I begin to roll my eyes a bit. Yes, there are an unfortunate number of families in the world who for some reason or another find it difficult to accept one of their number, but is it really so common that every single person this boy meets would have experienced it first hand? If so, that’s just depressing.

I fully recognize that these issues are mine and not this book’s. Perhaps it is incredibly sad that I am so jaded that I cannot accept this story for the beautiful tale of finding oneself and acceptance that it is. I do love the notion that John Boyne has not tried to shield children from reality. No, sometimes people will not open their eyes to the mistakes they are making, sometimes they will not change, and sometimes they will–it is up to the person themselves. You are the only one who has true control over how happy you are with who you are, and the only person in the end that you need to please. This is a wonderful message, I just prefer to dig my messages out of a story rather than have them beat down my door.

The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket is a wonderfully and charmingly written tale that will surely affect many readers. Oliver Jeffers’s illustrations capture moments throughout Baranby’s story perfectly, and certainly add to the story by sparking our imaginations. I will be recommending this book in a professional capacity to the right readers, despite the fact that I can recognize it was not me.

Original review posted at Bunbury in the Stacks.(less)

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About John Boyne

John Boyne (born 30 April 1971 in Dublin) is an Irish novelist.

He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and studied Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia, where he was awarded the Curtis Brown prize. But it was during his time at Trinity that he began to get published. To pay his way at that stage of his career, he worked at Waterstone's, typing up his drafts by night.

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“It is possible, you know, to drift off to an unknown world and find happiness there. Maybe even more happiness than you've ever known before.” — 9 people liked it

“(J)ust because your version of normal isn't the same as someone else's version doesn't mean that there's anything wrong with you.” — 5 people liked it

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