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The Heart's Invisible Furies
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Oct-Dec: The Heart Invisible Furies
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Allan
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rated it 5 stars
Oct 01, 2017 10:57AM
Great to see that the group has chosen this title. I was lucky enough to attend an event in the summer when Boyne was talking about the title. Another masterpiece, in my opinion, but will be interesting to see what others think of it.
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I've just ordered this--used--and the proceeds will benefit the HousingWorksCafe in NYC, so that's a good end. I was so struck reading A History of Loneliness, and I've heard this may be an even better novel. I also found Boyne's This House is Haunted that I had forgotten I had bought....
Have just finished this, and wow. Thank you to whoever nominated this one!
Hilariously funny so far. I haven't read a book where I am heartily laughing out loud for a long while. Great selection!
Patrick, interestingly enough, I was at an event for this book that Boyne spoke at, and he said that he didn't set out to make it funny - it just developed that way.Declan, just a heads up that the book is still only out on hardcover at present - it comes out in paperback on 27th December in UK, so will prob be the same with you.
Allan wrote: "Patrick, interestingly enough, I was at an event for this book that Boyne spoke at, and he said that he didn't set out to make it funny - it just developed that way."I wonder how much of that is down to the setting. Boyne captures the Irish wit very well - the self-deprecation, the digs and just-on-the-edge teasing, the disrespect for those in authority - can you imagine (view spoiler) I thought the dialogue in this was brilliant. Also the story. And the writing. And the characters. (I might be a little bit in love with Boyne at this point...)
Of course while bits of it are laugh-out-loud, there are some gut-punches in there too, and some bits which left me teary (very unusual for a book to do that!)
it's still available on NetGalley so I'm hoping to get it. If not, I might have to buy it (gulp) since it sounds so good and I want to join in.
DebsD, you're dead right when you talk about the gut punches - in all the main settings. The first section in particular is harrowing. Your description of your reaction to the book's features is also spot on. I still stick by the 3 word review when I listened to it for the first time in February - "Believe the hype..."Sue, if you're going to break a book buying ban, knowing what I know of your tastes in fiction, this book is well worth doing it for. And for what better reason than to be able to discuss the novel with friends?
You're so right Allan, discussion is key. I've a couple of other books stacked up and then I'm on to it, even if it's a hardback (not my favourite medium).
It's a weighty tome in this case as well, Sue - I did buy it in hardcover as well, mainly because I was at the event in the summer - meant that I was able to get it signed.
It's a weighty tome as well, Sue - I bought the hardcover to get it signed at the event. I'll probably relisten next month, as one of my in person clubs is reading it for January as well - want to keep the detail fresh in my head for both discussions!
Oops - thought that last comment hadn't posted which is why I repeated myself! You get the gist anyway!
I hope we get a spoiler thread up so we can discuss the book.
We read this recently in our book club and it was amazing. I had heard John Boyne interviewed on radio 1 and this enticed me to read the book. Waiting to see what the rest of you think of it.
I would love to have heard him talk about this book. Can you remember if he said anything interesting? Is he a good speaker?
Yes Susan he is very interesting. I only came on the interview after it started. He is very calming to listen to. I had only read “the boy in the stripped pajamas before” but am definitely going to read more of his now - when I have time!!
I saw this link on Twitter, I thought it might be interesting:www.readitforward.com/author-intervie...
Bookworm with Kids wrote: "I saw this link on Twitter, I thought it might be interesting:An Interview with John Boyne"
This link didn't work for me.
Susan wrote: "Bookworm with Kids wrote: "I saw this link on Twitter, I thought it might be interesting:An Interview with John Boyne"
This link didn't work for me."
Sorry, Susan, I should have tried it before I posted it. I will try to repair the link. I probably left out a letter or / when I was typing out the link!
Ok, Susan and everybodyThe link is now working. I am not used to putting links in to Goodreads!
Thank you, Bookworm. It was a really interesting article. I appreciate you putting it up. As far as the link, I would not even have attempted it as I am techno ignorant. I admire your abilities and am a trifle jealous.
Not really relevant, but an insight into Boyne's life as a novelist!https://twitter.com/john_boyne/status...
it's not you, it's me...not sure why, but early stages in this one and it is really rubbing me the wrong way, to the degree that I find myself deliberately dwelling on apparent anachronisms and on the gratingly precocious kid's dialogue
maybe I just wasn't in the right mood yesterday,
will persevere
Andy wrote: "it's not you, it's me...not sure why, but early stages in this one and it is really rubbing me the wrong way, to the degree that I find myself deliberately dwelling on apparent anachronisms and o..."
I hope it gets better for you, Andy. I am curious about your statement on apparent anachronisms. Can you give me an example? It passed me right by and I am curious. I agree with you on the kid dialogue.
hi Susan - glad I stuck with it7 year olds' dialogue just seemed so ill-judged to me
and something about microphones in 1940's rural west Cork church doesn't sit right
I laughed out loud at that one about the microphones when I read your comment. You are so right. Very unlikely. I recently read a book about the tight airport security in the 1980's which didn't happen until 9/11. In the 80's we used to sit with departing people at the gate doors. There was no real security. It's things like that grate on your nervous.I also agree with the 7 year old's dialogue. I put it down to being left by himself so much.
Mod
I agree with you, Thomas. That scene was unbelievable to me. I just can't picture it. Of course, I go to a quirky church. We are on the corner of the two main streets in town and get a lot of the wandering cannabis workers and homeless. Yesterday we had a group of kids from Poland who apparently found the service too long. We all watched through the French windows as they took a break to smoke a couple of joints. I wonder what that priest in the book would have made of that.
Mod
One of our attendees is a Wiccan priestess so we welcome all.
I started this last night and I was struck with how hypocritical the priest is and the double standard of the girl being a whore but the boy is just named and he is allowed to stay but regardless she is thrown out of town and told to never return and the parents just let it happen! I'm only a few pages in and am emotionally attached already !
I was too. It's hard to imagine that scene in real life especially in a church.
Wahay, I've just been approved for a copy on NetGalley. I'm rather late to the party but keen to start reading it soon.
You can never be too late to read a book, Sue. Congratulations on your win.
Just a comment on the notion of the 7 year old's precocious dialogue mentioned above. I'm at that stage in the book, and it's worth remembering that it's a first person narrative looking back over many years, so in other words an adult recounting his memories of conversations etc. In addition to this, he does mention the fact that the Averys always spoke to him as an adult, hence the reason for his vocabulary being a lot more advanced than other children of his age.What I've taken from that first section was the brutality of the attack on Sean and the resultant lack of action against his father, and the story that Mrs Hennessey told about her own arrival in Dublin - once again the darkness under the desire to keep up appearances. Trying hard not to include spoilers in what I'm saying, but to me, very effective and powerful writing.
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Books mentioned in this topic
The Heart's Invisible Furies (other topics)The Heart's Invisible Furies (other topics)
A History of Loneliness (other topics)
This House Is Haunted (other topics)
