Furey writes about an orphanage in Canada in the 1960s run by Catholic brothers. He primarily focuses on about a dozen boys, 3 or so brothers and the story itself is narrated by Aidan Carmichael. This is a strange book to review. I can confidently state that it was a good beach read with an easy, entertaining story but not something that will stick with me over time. I like a book whose story makes a mark, or that introduces ideas that makes me pause and think for a bit. If not that, then what’s the point?
The part of this book that is enjoyable is reading about these ragamuffin boys at the orphanage, which is running on a shoestring budget and trying to keep all of its tenants disciplined and educated. Furey does a great job of making real people out of the characters so you feel you know them. Brother McCan is strict, eccentric and spits everywhere. The brother nicknamed Rags is softhearted and like a sibling. Randall Bradbury, nicknamed Bug, is a smartass with an ailing heart. Willieam Jefferson Neville is nicknamed Blackie because he’s … black. He’s also an American from Harlem and leads the gang-like club of boys focused on in the story.
This is where the book loses me. Furey’s over-reliance on stereotypes throughout the story feels cheap. He drops disturbing facts throughout the tale, as if to say “See! I know what was happening back then!” but does little to explore those facts or integrate them well into the story. He alludes a few times to sexual misconduct at the orphanage between brothers and orphans. Then he comes right out and says it. And each time the story moves right along as if that little nugget was never stated. It left me feeling like Furey was taking easy jabs at the church rather than making any statement about the issue itself.
Overall, don’t spend money on this book but it would be okay to check out from your local library and read on the beach.
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