Boy in the World

by Niall Williams

Boy in the World is a story of an adopted Irish boy's search for a father he's never known. Jay has been raised by the Master, a man who is simultaneously his devoted grandfather and senior-school tutor. One day, the Master gives Jay a letter written by his dead mother which reveals the identity of his father. What follows is Jay's rejection of Catholicism and his journey across Europe in search of his missing lineage and alternative faith-beliefs.

Genres: Fiction, Ireland

344 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Niall Williams studied English and French Literature at University College Dublin and graduated with a MA in Modern American Literature. He moved to New York in 1980 where he married Christine Breen. His first job in New York was opening boxes of books in Fox and Sutherland's Bookshop in Mount Kisco. He later worked as a copywriter for Avon Books in New York City before leaving America with Chris in 1985 to attempt to make a life as a writer in Ireland. They moved on April 1st to the cottage in west Clare that Chris's grandfather had left eighty years before to find his life in America.

His first four books were co-written with Chris and tell of their life together in Co Clare.

In 1991 Niall's first play THE MURPHY INITIATIVE was staged at The Abbey Theatre in Dublin. His second play, A LITTLE LIKE PARADISE was produced on the Peacock stage of The Abbey Theatre in 1995. His third play, THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT, was produced by Galway's Druid Theatre Company in 1999.

Niall's first novel was FOUR LETTERS OF LOVE. Published in 1997, it went on to become an international bestseller and has been published in over twenty countries. His second novel, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN was published in 1999 and short-listed for the Irish Times Literature Prize. Further novels include THE FALL OF LIGHT, ONLY SAY THE WORD, BOY IN THE WORLD and its sequel, BOY AND MAN.

In 2008 Bloomsbury published Niall's fictional account of the last year in the life of the apostle, JOHN.

His new novel, HISTORY OF THE RAIN, will be published by Bloomsbury in the UK/Ireland and in the USA Spring 2014. (Spanish and Turkish rights have also been sold.)

Niall has recently written several screenplays. Two have been optioned by film companies.

Reviews

[Hugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three stars may seem a little harsh for this one, but I have now read six of Williams' novels and this one is the weakest of the six by a distance. As always it is beautifully crafted, but for me the plot stretched credibility rather too far.

It tells the story of a boy raised by the grandfather who is also his schoolmaster after his single mother dies of cancer. He decides he cannot believe in God and walks out of his Confirmation service, after which the Master (grandfather) gives him his mother's last letter, which he throws into the fire. Part of the letter is rescued, and the fragments are enough to give a few clues about his absent father, and he sets off on a journey to find him.

He finds himself at the scene of terrorist atrocities in London and Paris and starts to believe that everyone who gets close to him dies. The counterbalancing figure is the nun, Sister Bridget, who he meets on the ferry from Dublin to Holyhead and who decides to accompany him and attempt to protect him.

[Nicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would struggle to describe the exact effect this book had on me. I read it on holiday, where the sunshine felt like a physical weight on my shoulders and the lavender scent expanded in the heat. Despite that I couldn't have been more engaged in the story, as a boy travels from misty Ireland and the safety of the Master's house, to London and further still.

The writing was sparse but elegiac, some phrases so beautiful in their absolute truth of emotion that I had to put the book down to recover from them, and then make a note of them to keep them for afterwards. As a coming of age novel, about a boy seeking his father, it works. As a novel of hope and love, it works. It doesn't offer all the answers to the questions it poses, but it does offer views of quiet humanity and generosity which are perhaps more valuable.

[Calzean · Rating 5 out of 5]

At times I thought the plot was a bit stretched - a 13 year old boy from Co. Clare runs away from home and travels to London, Paris, Frankfurt, Stuggart, Lagos, Cairo and Ethopia. He is looking for his father that he has never known and has the barest knowledge of his identify. He meets good and bad people but also sees a number of horrific terrorist bombs explode.

There is a lot of "does God exist" in the book, but the single message it resounds with is to live your life loving and helping others.

Williams' writing is just wonderful. He is an artist.

[Anita · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first part of this book, but after the Boy travels to Germany the story, along with the Boy, seemed to lose its way.
It tells of the "coming-of-age" of a young boy, who goes looking for his missing father, after reading a letter written by his dying mother. He pursues this imaginary father figure all over Europe, mostly in the company of a nun. Against a background of terrorism and public fear, they travel from country to country looking for this elusive father.
The latter portion of the story reads more like a travelogue around Europe and Africa. I failed to understand the point the author was making; unless it was that we do not need to believe in God, only to allow chance to direct us and make ourselves useful to others in this life to make the world a better place. I felt the ending was very unsatisfactory, with no reason why chance had led either the Boy or the Grandfather to their ultimate destinations. With regard to the spiritual aspect of the story, the symbolism of the butterfly was overused and is not original and the nun deceived both the Church and the Boy to achieve her own ends.
Although the book was marketed as "a story of Discovery", I failed to discover any deeply meaningful message.

[Snoakes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boy in the World is a beautifully written story of a boy growing up in rural Ireland. He and his grandfather live on their own - the boy's mother died when he was very young and his grandmother a few years later. He never knew anything about his father - until that is, the day of his confirmation when his grandfather hands him a letter from his mother which sets him off on a quest through Europe and eventually to Africa.

Niall Williams's prose is spell-binding and elegant. The boy's journey is spiritual, mystical and thoroughly captivating.

[Albertien Chignell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Niall writes with such beauty and clarity. I haven't cried in a book for a long time but I did in this one. Some sentences are so lovely that you want to read them again and again. However this book is a little uneven at times and the character of Whatarangi not entirely convincing. He speaks in a pidgin English which is a bit patronising for a person from New Zealand, an English speaking nation. The book also seems to lose its way towards the end. Reading the sequel "Boy and Man" might help to finish the story.

[Khouloud · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a story of a boy who had never know his biological father ..In this book , the writer describes a journey of boy looking for the truth of his real existence and identity .The boy took a courage step to leave his grandparents house and get into the real world facing so many troubles and each one leads him to another one with no one by his side except a warm company of a nun .The writer deals with some known concepts as terrorism and religion to convey the truth through his perspectives. As a reader I do liked reading this book as the boy took me with an exciting trip .

[عبير الشرعبي · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book,
Very heartwarming and calming, it's very hard to find a book that gives you the same feeling.
even though I don't like the end I enjoyed it allot.
I wish Niall Williams's other books are calming as this one.

[Mike Finn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not totally on board for the whole tale especially the ending but enjoyed the book nevertheless.

[Hilary Betts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Original and wonderful

Didn't want this book to end,kept me enthralled until the last page. Very moving and thought provoking. Will definitely read more from this author.

[Rachel Rothwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing story by Niall Williams. Boy sets out to find his father.

[Bron Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting. Loved

[Yolande · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love how this man writes, such beautiful phrases. And he creates the most appealing characters. And much, much more to praise in his novels - this one a particularly fine example.

[Sharon N · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well written but not coherent. His other books are much better.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Niall Williams is a fantastic writer. Boy in the World is a great work of literature.

[Olivia Barth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think it's probably me, not the book. When I was a teenager I would have really gone for the style (and subject matter). It's a good book, just not my kind.

[Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional

I loved this book!
I have recommended it to my sister and several friends.
I love the style of writing and the story made me laugh and cry.
I couldn't put it down.

[Sujin Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Irish writers!

[Ashly Theia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always loved Williams' melodic way of writing, his sensitivity and the way he puts faith and hope in the midst of sadness and gloom, without even reverting into soppiness and melodrama. Boy in the World feels a bit grittier compared to his other works As It Is in Heaven or Four Letters of Love, maybe because it is also dealing with the contemporary issues such as terrorism and fear, and about how everything that happens by chance is actually pre-planned so everything falls into place in the end.

However, in some parts, I felt that the pace was very uneven – it’s like a car running smoothly for a while, which stutters for a distance, and then goes on a different pace afterwards. Whilst I also appreciate Niall’s view of God, faith, and optimism, I felt in some parts that he was getting preachy and didn’t weave the theme as subtle as he did in his previous books.

All in all, it was definitely an insightful read and to be recommended.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written- William's usual lyrical language. irish setting at the start but moves over a much wider landscape ending in Africa. Moving story of a boy who sets out on a journey to find the father he never knew, having been given a letter on the day of his First Holy Communion his dead mother had written for him before she died. He walks out of the church and sets out alone, but a young nun takes him under her wing, seeing how vulnerable he is.

[Michael Graeme · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one needs to be read before the later novel "Boy and Man". The two books read together proved for me a very powerful combination - the magicaly emotional style that Niall Williams is famous for is firing on all cylinders here. He is one of my favourite authors. Taken on its own, you may find yourself getting to the end of "Boy in the World" and thinking "And?" - so then turn to "Boy and Man" which will complete the story for you.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

So amazing. I've loved Niall Williams since I read Four Letters of Love back in college, and have loved every book I've read since. But, I think he outdid himself with this one. Amazing imagery, amazingly real characters, and his always amazing poetic prose. I'm so grateful to my wonderful husband for ordering this book from the UK for me this Christmas.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still love my Niall Williams! Boy in the World is a coming of age story of an Irish boy. He leaves home in search of his birth father. As always William's writing is rich with emotion and poetry and imagery.

[Melody · Rating 3 out of 5]

Literally a coming of age story. A boy comes to point where he questions who he is and where he fits into the world. His journey takes him around the world and stops where you least expect it to. Enjoyable read.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not knowing Boy in the World was first I actually read Boy and Man first and am glad I did. It made sense of the story. Now having finished Boy in the World I reread Boy and Man so the story continues and ends. I actually recommend reading the two books this way.

[Rosemary Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written, as usual. What more can I say - read it and then read the rest of his novels - my next favourite (which is hard to chose when all of his are excellent)- The Fall of Light.

[Thandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poignant and touching - even though very present it his writing, it feels like a long time ago.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked the style of this book...read it relaxing in Bali.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful from beginning to end!