Joby

by Stan Barstow

One of a series of top-quality fiction for schools, this novel is by the author of A Kind of Loving. 11-year-old Joby finds the world of August 1939 a disturbing place in which to be growing up.

Genres: Fiction, Childrens

Paperback

First published October 25, 1971

About the author

See also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stan_Bar...

Reviews

[Fiona Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this from a second-hand bookshop and it was my first Stan Barstow book. It's a very simple tale of family life from the point of view of the young boy, Joby. Set against the backdrop of war looming during the summer of 1939, it takes a kind but deep look at relationships within families and between friends. It was a lovely read.

[Napierbones · Rating 3 out of 5]

First book I really read so has a special place in my heart. don't think I should read it as an adult though.

[Thakshila Jayasinghe · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing style is similar to "To Kill a Mockingbird" to the extent that this is also written from a child's point of view. This is accentuated by the fact that a lot of actually serious incidents are noticed but not focussed on whereas incidents trivial for an adult, but serious for a child (such as being kicked out of the theatre because of some other kid's shenanigans) are written upon in detail. This is very in keeping with how a child would see things. Because obviously, for a child, something that wounds him personally produces very strong feelings.

SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER

I get that this book was written in a different era but I didn't like the female blaming going around due to Joby's dad's cheating. Joby's dad is not a "flawed but good" man. He is a horrible husband and person in every way. He doesn't care one jot about his wife even when she's sick, grumbles no end about having to take her to the hospital even on the day she is due for a surgery, and then starts touching up his own niece by marriage (who is only 19 years old!) and almost convinces her to elope with him while his wife is recuperating from her surgery. And then what do the women do but blame eachother! Joby's mom blames her own niece for having a "big bust" as if that's something she can help. Her sister (the said neice's mom) blames Joby's mom for not keeping her husband "satisfied" claiming that's why he had to turn to her daughter. The girl's dad just stands about looking sheepish and uncomfortable. I can tell you, if some middle aged married man came onto my 19 year old daughter and even convinced her to elope with him, I would skin him alive!

[Lynn Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gritty read of a working class boy growing up at the start of world war II. I read this in class around 1977.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I believe this book was written to encourage school-children to read. It was published in 1964 and had several strands in it which might be considered strong meat for children but it was well written and realistic. I hope lots of children read it and were encouraged to read even more books after they had finished it!

[Jordan Phizacklea-Cullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brief but quietly moving coming-of-age tale; told from the perspective of a 12-year-old in a sleepy West Yorkshire town on the verge of WW2 as he comes to some painful realisations about friendship, love and the complexities of adult relationships. Barstow was a master of capturing the flavour of the provincial tongue of his homeland, and the deceptively simple prose conveys all the pains and brief joys of being on the verge of adolescence perfectly.

[John Samuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable short novel by the late Mr. Stan Barstow (died August 2011).

It's Yorkshire in 1939 as a twelve year Joby avoids rubbish school by passing exams for grammar school. He watches the adults behave like adults as Europe prepares for war. He in turn falls in to bad company and starts behaving badly.

Maybe if I read a few more Stan Barstow books I will find a grown-up Joby.

[Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this is a book that I did enjoy hugely. It passes the most important test for any book of this sort; it is completely believable. I’m a generation younger than Stan Barstow but belonged as an under 11 to the pre-television age and life for kids was pretty much exactly as described. A time of making stuff up and finding stuff out. Naive sexual explorations of the ‘if you show me yours I’ll show you mine’ type, petty shoplifting, experimenting with cigarettes, getting thrown out of places for things we didn’t do, and trying to understand when grown-ups don’t seem to have the solidity we want from them.

It’s a full weight ride, the realism gives it heft. The same story is told by other writers; Nina Bawden, Gillian Avery among others; but not with this clout.

An absolute page-turner that captures a northern working class childhood better than most. My homepage tells me that I’ve read over 80 books so far in 2023, this could just about be my book of the year.

[Cate · Rating 2 out of 5]

I believe this was the book I read in school aged 11-12. I don't remember much about it other than feeling uncomfortable about the themes. Is there a scene where he kisses/touches up a girl outside, maybe against a tree? I'm not sure but I know I didn't really like it... If I find a free audiobook version I might give it another try but from the other reviews, I'm not sure why it was a book to group read in school anyway!

[Stephenie Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this many years ago at school, knew I had enjoyed it but couldn’t remember the story.
It’s billed as children’s fiction, but it deals with breast cancer and suicide, so hard hitting subjects.
I can see why I enjoyed it first time round, and I enjoyed it this time too.

[Cuffley kindle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, set just before start of ww2, the summer holidays of an 11 year old boy. I liked how I submerged into Joby’s life for a six week period of time. Childhood innocence, with the intermingling of the imminent threat of war.

[J Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

First novel I read and I'm still fond of it now. The tale of a young boy trying to make sense of a world at war and the people around him is a really affecting piece of work.

[Janet Bird · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally excellent, love this author.

[David Shamash · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have only watched it on television and on You Tube but I have not read the book. Joby was in the care of his Aunt because his Mother had to go into hospital.
This story is set in the Summer of 1939 in Yorkshire just before the Second World War about Joby who was eleven years old in 1939.
Joby was a very nice loving son but he gave something stolen from a chemist to a girl he wanted to have a romantic friendship. Joby's friend stole the item and gave it to Joby to pass on to a girl.


When the mother came out of hospital the girl's father took the stolen item to his mother and told her that it costs in a Chemist 11 shillings and six pence which was a lot of money in 1939. Joby did convince his mother that he did not steal the item but she still sent him to bed at 3.30 in the afternoon for handling a stolen item and he only got bread and water for supper that night. He still had a good relationship with his mother even when she punished him. He came down very concerned about his mother. The mother was also upset that her husband Joby's father was unfaithful. She probably also sent him to bed as she did not want Joby around when she was very upset and having private conversations. The next day Joby was sent out to play and he found his father in the countryside who apparently slept outside all night. Joby brought his father home. The trouble was that when Joby was not sent to bed he was constantly sent out to play unsupervised. The punishment did not affect his future and he still went to Grammar School when the holidays were over. If Joby had been an adult he could have landed before the Magistrates Court and got a prison sentence.

[Luiza · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book like To Kill A Mockingbird with a deep meaning of family. It’s definitely not a children’s book. Small and meaningful

[Chloe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Year 9 English class memories