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Summary: How amazing is this book?
Review: This book is so amazing that my 13 year old students read all 600 pages of it as summer reading. When they return in the fall, most of them conclude it is their favorite book of all time. As a teacher, this book is a godsend; my students are not afraid to read and find the assignment as fun as going to a good movie. They are enthralled. As a reader, this book is an absolute treat. I, too, am completely enthralled.
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Summary: Absolutely delightful!!!!!
Review: As a lover of books about childhood, I was extremely impressed with this book. McCammon hes managed to put his finger on the pulse of childhood in a way that makes it come alive on the page. I recommend this book to anyone who has ever been a child and still remembers the rush of joy that they got when the final bell rang, signaling the start of a summer vacation.
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Summary: Rediscover the Magic and Mystery of Childhood!
Review: This is a haunting and magical book. If I could only keep one book this would be it. I keep 2 copies of it around at all times, one for myself and one to give to fortunate individuals. I really do not want to say too much about this wonderful book, other than read it and it will change you! You will find yourself thinking about it for long after you have finished reading it!
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Summary: One of My Favorites
Review: Being female, I have never lived a "boys life", but I have, of course, been a child. If you retain any of the magic of childhood, you will enjoy this book. I read it several years ago, and still find myself rereading certain passages. While reading the book, I laughed outloud, and also bawled my eyes out (rather loudly at times!). If you've ever wanted to solve a mystery, used your imagination, loved a pet, puzzled over the adults in your life, if you have ever been a child, please read this book. It is entertaining and moving, and I dare you not to cry!!!
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Summary: Boy Oh Boy, Good Stuff!
Review: Let me just say that I thoroughly enjoyed "Boy's Life." I was super surprised when I saw McCammon's list of other books he wrote. There, on the list, was the best fiction book I ever read, "They Thirst." I read that back in approximately 1981 and could never remember the author's name. Now I'm reading "Swan Song." I look forward to reading all his books. That is unless I one day decide that the creation of blood, gore, and death are a bad influence.
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Summary: One More Good Read
Review: I just finished Boy's Life at 1:45am, when I had to get up at 6:00am and go to work. I loved the book but hated the bloodshot eyes I had.Cory Mackenson is 11 years growing up in innocence in a picturesque small southern town during the racially torn 1960s. He and his friends enjoy bikes, baseball, and monster movies at the town cinema on Saturdays. Things change early one morning just before daylight when Cory and his Dad witness a car and its occupant careen off a lonely country road into the deep abyss of a rural lake. Upon attempting rescue, Cory's dad finds the driver unconscious and handcuffed to the steering wheel with a wire wrapped around his neck. This launches Cory and his father on a search for the murderer who is living as a longtime respected citizen in this small rural community. Who is the man in the car, and what about the tattoo? Can a clairvoyant black lady who lives on the other side of the tracks in this racially tense time hold one of the keys to unraveling the mystery before it unravels the sanity of Cory's father? In addition to the suspense, Boy's Life also captures the wonder of being an eleven year old boy in much the same way Mark Twain did with Tom Sawyer. I did not realize that Robert McCammon was such a wit when it comes to humor. There are several places where I had to put the book down and laugh out loud. Other places were quite poignant and heart rending as well. You will enjoy this one. Thanks for reading.
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Summary: Boys probably are made of stronger stuff than I think.
Review: This is not a review of the story itself as others have already done a great job. I only purchased my copy of this book because of the large print. I didn't expect much other than to pass the time with a easy-read. Boy, was I ever wrong!! Yes, it was easy to read but I felt like I was watching a young boy live his life. The plot drew me in slowly but pleasantly. After only a few chapters, I never wanted to put the book down. It just kept getting more and more thought provoking and interesting with each chapter. This young fellow, Cory, must be real. Someone could make a great movie from this book but perhaps not as it just might remove the magic and wonder from the story. I have a 35-year old, wonderful son and I may loan this book to him if he would like to read it. I will recommend this book to everyone I can. Can't imagine what to read next -- this is going to be a hard act to follow.
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Summary: What a refreshing journey!
Review: I have just finished Boys Life and I admit that I am sad the journey has ended. As a mother of sons I am always in awe of the wonders of boys. This book spells it out for those of you who don't know. Among other incredible things, yes, boys do imagine they can fly, they are kind and polite and caring, they do have relationships with their bikes and they have adventures both real and imagined beyond belief. Boys Life was so refreshing to me because it captures you in ways you can't imagine, on so many different levels. Enjoy the journey!
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Summary: Automatic entry into my top 10 favorite books
Review: I read a lot of books so that comment is not just an overstatement. This book filled me with nostalgic memories of my childhood and touched me more than I ever expected. It made me feel a wide range of emotions including sadness, fear, nostalgia, joy and longing for loved ones that have meant so much to me, but have been gone for a long time. This book also explores human nature and man's capacity for both goodness and evil; courage and cowardice; and love and hate. An engrossing and thoroughly enjoyable and memorable read.
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Summary: An absolutely mind-numbing, consuming story
Review: This is the first book I've read by McCammon, but it will not be the last. This story begins slowly and then grabs you by the neck and pulls you in. I would not classify this as horror, but the story-telling and character development is very similar to Stephen King's IT. McCammon brilliantly tells the story from the point of view of a 12 year old, and captures all of the small details that most of us forget about our childhoods. I constantly found myself alluding to my own childhood, and to all of those things that adults would not give a second thought, but which held so much meaning to me. I would put this book in my top five,and that is saying a lot. I happened upon this book at Borders on the sale rack, and I bought the hardback which also contains McCammon's Gone South. Sometimes you're just lucky I guess, because I believe this one will stay with me for a while.
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