Wild Child Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics); Reprint edition

by T.C. Boyle

This rare and vintage book is a perfect addition to any bibliophile's collection

Paperback

Published January 1, 2011

About the author

T. Coraghessan Boyle

Reviews

[Michel Russo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why isn’t T.C. Boyle a household name? A few years back I was gifted If the River Was Whiskey, another of Boyle’s short story collections. His writing teleports you into a scene, often a dark one, but an enjoyable one. I was pleased to find Wild Child and Other Stories in a bookshop in Singapore. The stories are creative and dig into dark parts of human nature and psyche. They’re honest, sobering, and entertaining. An extra star for how this collection is book ended by Wild Child stories - the first is just more subtle.

[Andy Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short read setting out the same true story as in Truffaut's Enfant Sauvage about a wild child, Victor of Aveyron first captured / taken into care in 1800. It is based on the memoir of Dr Itard who tries to educate him. It is a sad story. The subject capacity to learn has been largely ruined, presumably in large part by his early abandonment but nevertheless he falls into a pattern of life before dying at the age of 40 in the care of a woman living near the asylum.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually started on this collection some time ago, but didn’t finish it until just recently—in part because the last story—which was the title story—was somewhat daunting in length, more like a novella than a short story. And actually, I didn’t really care for that one that much, unrelated to its length. On the whole, though, I liked the collection and plan to read more of Boyle’s stories.

[Halifax · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook. Well narrated by the author. Short, but sad story about a french, feral boy.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so interesting. I had no idea that this historical event existed. How insane. This poor young man!

[Jed Larsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Score: 4.4

This was not the collection of short stories. It was just "Wild Child." Immediately arresting, imaginative, and darkly (darkly?) funny.

Audiobook: Enjoyable narration, by the author