Comments on: GUEST REVIEW: Boy’s Life by Robert McCammon

By: Human Condition

Human Condition — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 22:19:29 +0000

I left school 7 years ago and then studied literary arts at university. I must say that in the two senior years that followed me first reading this book and all through uni i have never read a book as part of a syllabus that i so enjoyed. Great review of it too, thanks

By: Tim White

Tim White — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 19:17:44 +0000

Been using the book in class for fifteen years now. Each year the kids decide at the end of the year which of the fifteen books in the class is their favorite. Boy’s Life Wins every time and outdistances perennial favorites Catcher in The Rye, Catch 22, and Power of One. Their comments usually include their happiness at reading a book the successfully unites coming of age, racial questions, “the sixties” and has a carefully concocted mystery. All of them realize that Boy’s Life is the novel Vernon Thaxter should have written…and that means they understand the craft that McCammon shows in this very teachable book.

By: Philip A Moore

Philip A Moore — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 18:23:04 +0000

I love this book. it’s one I recommend to anyone. it’s literary stile is like know book I have ever read. Most writers when they write in the first person simplify the writing and cut down on the details Robet McCammon doesn’t. Boy’s life is easily the most detailed books ever written in the first person. I like to think about the characters. ones that stand are Vernin the son of the richist man in town and the local nudist ,the old Lady and Moon Man bike and the attac monkey. This book is as much fun to think about as it is to read.

good day

By: susannah

susannah — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 01:39:58 +0000

i have to read this for summer reading and write an essay. what are some examples of imagination in the book?

By: Daniel E. Friedman

Daniel E. Friedman — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 01:44:14 +0000

Although I have complete confidence in this author, it’s still nice to see such a splendid review. Thanks.

By: vanessa jaye

vanessa jaye — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 02:47:14 +0000

Thanks for even thinking about sending Julie, that was very nice of you. :-) I got to the library too late, but I’ll pick Agnes up on Thursday. I’m really looking forward to it. I will probably buy Boy’s Life, simple because I just noticed the page count. I’m a real jerk about long books and tend to avoid them. Or the sequels, even when I loved the first book. Stupid, I know, but right around page 415 I start getting resentful that the damn story isn’t finished yet so I can go on to another book. lol. I could prop open ever door on my street with the number of 500 page epics that languish in my tbr pile… ::shame::

But given the overwhelming positive feedback on this one I’ll make an effort to read it… some time next year. heh.

By: Julie Leto

Julie Leto — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 22:31:40 +0000

Vanessa, I really enjoyed Agnes and the Hitman. If I had my copy around here, I’d send it, but it looks like I already lent it out! It’s good to know so many people loved this book…I wonder if MacCammon knows? There’s no way to contact him via his website. I already looked. Trust me, you’ll love Boy’s Life.

I, too, have given away a ton of copies. At the end of teaching, a lot of kids gave me their copies and I’m pretty sure they’re all gone now.

By: Jane

Jane — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 20:25:14 +0000

I wish this were an ebook. Perhaps it will be soon as part of S&S’s backlist digitization effort.

By: Karmyn

Karmyn — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 19:56:43 +0000

This has been one of my favorites since I first bought over ten years ago. The characters, the setting, the mystery, the emotions, etc. It all brings the story to life. Reading this, I felt as if I were living the story with Cory. Too bad Robert McCammon is pretty much retired. Sings the Nightbird is pretty good, too.

By: vanessa jaye

vanessa jaye — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 16:11:10 +0000

Now how’s a girl supposed to make her bookstore giftcard last around here with all these enticing reviews? I’ve got to pick up my library hold– Jen Cruisie/Bob Mayer’s Agnes & The Hitman — after work, so I’ll see if this one is in stock. If I love it, I’ll buy it later. On the other hand, the bookstore is two blocks away from the library…..

By: Alison Kent

Alison Kent — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 15:34:54 +0000

Oh, and if you want to read another one of his, try The Wolf's Hour. It's one I've always wanted to see on film, but fear it could never be done right!

By: Alison Kent

Alison Kent — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 15:31:18 +0000

Oh, Julie. We’ve gushed over this book together so many times, haven’t we? I need to pull it out and read it again.

By: Terri Schaefer

Terri Schaefer — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 13:45:11 +0000

This is one of my favorite books of all time, and one that not a lot of folks have heard about. Both Boy’s Life and Swan Song always hit me like a punch to the gut (in a good way, of course *g*). I think I’ve gone through about ten copies of each, after “loaning” them to folks and never getting them back! Because both are such fantastic novels, I never begrudge the “borrowers”, because they’re usually folks I’m trying to pull back into reading.

GREAT review Julie!

By: Julie Leto

Julie Leto — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 13:32:39 +0000

Thanks, Nora. I was more than a bit nervous…wanted to do the book justice and that’s no easy feat.

By: Nora Roberts

Nora Roberts — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 12:44:10 +0000

Julie, a wonderful review of one of my all-time favorite books.