Boy's Life

Rating:
Summary: This book is one LONG bore!
Review: "Boy's Life" starts out with a good a premise and I have to say that McCammon does a good job setting up his mystery. Unfortunately, the book goes downhill from there. The book lose track of its central premise and loses itself on a bunch of unrelated, nonsensical tangents. The books loses the central plot for chapters at a time before comming back to it. McCammon seems almost self aware that his book just about a small town with murder mystery that just doesn't quite fit when the character of Vernon writes a book with a similar problem. This book would be at least a 4 star book if it got the point and was about 200 pages shorter. As a mystery novel, it just misses the mark.

Rating:
Summary: Student and adult tested
Review: I have been teaching 42 years; and in that time many students have brought books to me that "I must read." Beginning with a new Lord of the Flies, a new To Kill a Mockingbird, a new Cat's Cradle and a new Catch 22 through A Prayer for Owen Meany, Prince of Tides, The Power of One and Boy's Life, I have read the best of modern literature because I listened to my high school seniors. Well Boy's Life will be around schools for just as long as the previous mentioned books and their Catcher in the Rye counterparts,for those of us who love books and love to see students excited about reading rather than comatose with boredom will keep teaching books like Boy's Life. It's a wonderful book filled with many things to discuss and for today's youth so interested in the sixties it provides a non-historical approach to so much of that life without the inane trappings of drugs and flower power. I have spread the knowledge of this book to an extended community of former students to rave reviews without exception. It may not have the snob appeal of a Ulysses ( a book I love merely because I'm an Irish literate) but I defy anyone 60 or 15 to read it with being swept up in the magic of flying bicycles and boys and a prehistoric animal who is sent by a dead young man to rescue his still living buddy. And if you want this teacher's opinion; it's the novel Vernon Thazter couldn't write. You did it Cory and the whole town should be darn proud of you. And Rick, if you read this, don't stop writing guy. You have the magic.

Rating:
Summary: all emotions
Review: this is one that made me laugh ,cry and be disgusted and then laugh and cry again. it has been a long time since a book has gone through so many of my emotions like this one did. great read. i did not want this one to end.

Rating:
Summary: Don't miss this book.....
Review: Reading this book was a wonderful experience. I just loved it. One of my favorite books of all time!

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful - truly wonderful!
Review: What a great and wondrous book. BUY IT NOW and you will be absorbed with McCammon's writing and drama in the novel. No word or character seems out of place; no idea something the reader can't latch onto. A glorious read! BUY THIS BOOK - plus, another book by McCammon, GONE SOUTH, is another excellent book - buy it too!

Rating:
Summary: Best book I've ever read
Review: I had raved about this book to all my friends here at work. I began working here in Feb. of '99, and mentioned my love for the book often. When it came time to exchange gifts, my boss and good friend gave me a heavy package. It was first edition copies of "Boy's Life" and "Gone South" autographed to me by Robert McCammon himself! I knew that he lived here in Birmingham, but did not know where, and even so, would not have presumed to call on him. What I did not know was that my boss had a connection with him and arranged to get his signature on the books for my gift. Needless to say, I was speechless. I read it again for the fourth time this weekend, and plan to start on Gone South soon. I can't say enough about this book and would strongly recommend it for all ages, boys and girls, men and women. You won't soon forget its message and the beautiful way it is delivered.

Rating:
Summary: Teaching Life's Lessons: a Teacher's Dream
Review: I have taught Boy's Life to eighth graders for seven years now. It is their summer reading book, partly because of its length, partly because of its advenure, and partly because its themes tie together the other books we read the rest of the year. For the 200 students or so who have read it, Boy's Life has been the best book they ever read. It becomes important to students because they can relate to the characters and what they encounter. As one student said, "The book teaches us lessons about life." By covering such themes as racism, alcoholism, bullies, friendship, death, writing, courage, and doing the right thing, each class has been able to talk openly about these issues and how they relate to them. I was visited by two former students a short time ago. As they chatted with me, one of them spotted my copy of Boy's Life on my bookshelf. She went over to it, took it down, and said, "Do you know how many times I've read this now? About four or five." Without missing a beat the other girl said, "Mine is kept together with duct tape." It is rare to find a book that kids cherish and return to again and again. Many times it has been the book that has influenced non-readers to want to read. It is a teacher's dream.

Rating:
Summary: Boy's Life
Review: Boy's Life is the most captivating and absorbing novel I have ever read. The story reached into my heart and pulled me along with it. It touched elements of a young boys life as he struggles toward manhood, his father, friends, family, home and town around him. It sets out with soaring highs of adventure and suspense, then plunges to tragic lows of loss and danger. For anyone who's grown from childhood into an adult, it will touch a cord. I would love to see more stories from any mind that could conjure this. I can only hope Robert can see his way to giving us just that.

Rating:
Summary: Boy's life is a book that has the makings of a great book.
Review: The book "Boy's Life" by Robert R. McCammon was a great book that has all the elements that readers love and indulge in. It mixes such traits as the quality of mystery, science fiction, suspense, action, love, myth, and life. It helps us all remember our childhood and how children have the amazing power of being intelligent, loving, caring, great imagination, and innocence. Probably the most enjoyable book I've read in a long time.

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Summary: Magnificent use of words!
Review: This was my all time favorite novel. I think it always will be, it was so original and the descrption the author uses to describe everything wonderful that happens is astounding. I had to read it in highschool and I will be ever thankful to my teacher who recommended it. If your looking for a terrific read, borrow it or buy it even you will not regret it!!