The Boxcar at the Center of the Universe

by Richard Jerome Kennedy, Jeff Kronen (Illustrator)

A sixteen-year-old boy on a journey of self-discovery meets up with a hobo, claiming to be an Arab, who tells him of his own search for the center of the universe.

Genres: Fiction

89 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Richard Jerome Kennedy (b. 1932) is an American children's book author.

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting and somewhat entertaining novella, probably aimed at younger audiences, that I enjoyed. Not sure if it was meant to scare or was intended as a metaphor for life, but what the heck. Sometimes a story is just a story, unless it strikes some chord within you. I didn't feel that ring, but I still liked the tale. Each individual reader will have to decide for themself.

[Cheryl]

Can't rate. Didn't mean much to me at this time of my life. Maybe when I was a young teen I would have loved it, the weird philosophy of it, the metaphors, the adventure. Or maybe I would have been yucked out by it as too weird. I did like the art.

And I do like several of Kennedy's other works, so I'm glad that I at least tried this.

[Moon Captain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happened upon this book at a little free library. A philosophical and contemplative read with gorgeous illustrations. I liked it a lot. This is the sort of thing I like to read as a kind of palate cleanser between bigger heavier endeavours

[Jenny Blaszczyk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe this book just wasn’t for me. I liked it but it’s just whatever. The story was nice made me thinks little, other than that it was just ok. Would recommend for a quick read tho.

[Phil · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kept waiting for all to be revealed. Alas, it doesn't really "take off".