Acclaimed by luminaries such as William Faulkner and suppressed for more than 50 years by a prosecution for obscenity, James Hanley's 1930s classic charts the short and brutish life of a boy forced out of school and into the unforgiving world of work. Escape—in the form of stowing away on a ship—only deepens his exposure to the squalor and brutality that men are capable of, and when he arrives in Alexandria he learns there are some things that one can't run away from. Narrated in unflinching language that is both visceral and acute in its observational power, Boy is a shocking book that stays in the mind long after it is read. Unfairly neglected during his lifetime, only recently has this original, uncompromising novelist started to be reappraised as among the finest novelists writing in English in the 20th century.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Book Description
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
A rewardiing read set in Liverpool in the 1930's,
By Kiwifunlad (London, UK) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Boy (Oneworld Classics) (Paperback)
This book written in 1931 should make the reader reflect on their own start in life. Set in Liverpool in a depressed time probably in the 1920's and not without fault this is a book which should have a wider readership.
The book's notoriety is sadly a reflection of Political Correctness albeit a 1930's version of what is sexually acceptable in print. In the 21st C it is difficult to note which passages were not acceptable. James Hanley very realistically portrays an account of a boy (Arthur Fearon) who stows away with dreams of a new world. His decision to runaway results from his parent's decision that he give up his education to bring in much needed income, a dilemma not often faced today. To some the narrative may seem bleak but unlike most bleak narratives "Boy" is an inspiring read as it follows the struggles of an intelligent 13 year old boy yearning to be accepted in an unfriendly man's world but increasingly feeling isolated and friendless.
0 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
DISAPPOINTING!!!,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Boy (Oneworld Classics) (Paperback)
Yes... VERY DISAPPOINTING!!! Can't think WHY it was ever banned ?!!! Don't bother! Wish I'd saved my money so don't waste yours!
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product).
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
