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The Boy
The Boy is the second short story in The Hunter collection.
Following on from feedback on The Hunter, Laura decided that there was more to this story yet to be told.
"I wondered what became of 'the boy', Mary Beth's son," Laura explains. "This time we see the story of Joshua, whose mother was abducted and murdered by a serial killer nicknamed The Hunter when he was just four years old."
Looking at the event itself from the child's point of view, we then follow Joshua as his life continues after the gruesome murder of his only known relative.
"What happened to Joshua when his mother's body was discovered, and how did he feel about the event?" Laura questions. "How did he feel about The Hunter and how did it shape the man he grew in to?"
Check out The Boy to find out now!
5* "I loved reading this follow on from The Hunter, and looking forward to reading the follow on from this! Excellent read, well written. A book you can't put down Neil you've finished it."
5* "Loved catching up with the boy and knowing what became of him. Another fab short story and can't wait for more."
25% OF ALL PROCEEDS WILL BE DONATED TO MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT UK
Following on from feedback on The Hunter, Laura decided that there was more to this story yet to be told.
"I wondered what became of 'the boy', Mary Beth's son," Laura explains. "This time we see the story of Joshua, whose mother was abducted and murdered by a serial killer nicknamed The Hunter when he was just four years old."
Looking at the event itself from the child's point of view, we then follow Joshua as his life continues after the gruesome murder of his only known relative.
"What happened to Joshua when his mother's body was discovered, and how did he feel about the event?" Laura questions. "How did he feel about The Hunter and how did it shape the man he grew in to?"
Check out The Boy to find out now!
5* "I loved reading this follow on from The Hunter, and looking forward to reading the follow on from this! Excellent read, well written. A book you can't put down Neil you've finished it."
5* "Loved catching up with the boy and knowing what became of him. Another fab short story and can't wait for more."
25% OF ALL PROCEEDS WILL BE DONATED TO MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT UK
16 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 2, 2013
3 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Laura Whiskens
8 books11 followersI began writing as a hobby when I was still at school. Always very shy I never let a soul read any of my stories and sadly I have lost all of my note books and discs from back then so I can't salvage any of my young self's work!
In Autumn of 2012 I began thinking about a book which I tried to dismiss - after all it had been around a decade since I'd last allowed myself write anything. But this idea would not go away and so Danny Boy was born.
Apprehensively, I gave a copy to my parents to read - they were so encouraging that I found a way to publish it and got some lovely reviews. Since then I have published a further three short stories and am currently working on two new stories as well as editing my first paperback!
If you love to write then go ahead and write away; don't tell yourself it's silly or no good. I'm glad I stopped listening to my inner pessimist!
In Autumn of 2012 I began thinking about a book which I tried to dismiss - after all it had been around a decade since I'd last allowed myself write anything. But this idea would not go away and so Danny Boy was born.
Apprehensively, I gave a copy to my parents to read - they were so encouraging that I found a way to publish it and got some lovely reviews. Since then I have published a further three short stories and am currently working on two new stories as well as editing my first paperback!
If you love to write then go ahead and write away; don't tell yourself it's silly or no good. I'm glad I stopped listening to my inner pessimist!
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 7, 2014
This is a very touching story of two children who grew up together, not paying attention to the fact that Danny is seen by many as "different." Although short, it makes up for it in detail, and had in me in tears by the end.
It is a wonderful debut, from a wonderful author.
It is a wonderful debut, from a wonderful author.
March 30, 2014
I have never reviewed a short story before, but I happily leave a few comments for Laura Whisken’s “Danny Boy.”
This brief tale is told from the point of view of a girl who grows up next door to a boy with Downs Syndrome and her struggle to come to terms with how other people view her best friend. It’s a story that is both heart-warming and heartbreaking. I admit I shed a tear at least once. It’s very well written and well worth the purchase price. I honestly wish everyone I knew would read it, for it shows the promise of what could be if our schools, churches and communities were more inclusive and tolerant of persons with disabilities. As the father of amazing kids with special needs, this story resonates, showing the tragedy of the world many persons with disabilities – especially intellectual disabilities – face in this world, but challenging us to do better. To be better.
The line that stayed with me long after I shut my ereader down was this:
“Danny… should have been surrounded by lots of friends during his life. But we grew up in a small community, with small minded people. They were kind enough to him, but none took the time to become his friend.”
Again, I cannot recommend “Danny Boy” enough. Pick up a copy today at Amazon.
-Tony Breeden
From the Bookwyrm’s Lair
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
This brief tale is told from the point of view of a girl who grows up next door to a boy with Downs Syndrome and her struggle to come to terms with how other people view her best friend. It’s a story that is both heart-warming and heartbreaking. I admit I shed a tear at least once. It’s very well written and well worth the purchase price. I honestly wish everyone I knew would read it, for it shows the promise of what could be if our schools, churches and communities were more inclusive and tolerant of persons with disabilities. As the father of amazing kids with special needs, this story resonates, showing the tragedy of the world many persons with disabilities – especially intellectual disabilities – face in this world, but challenging us to do better. To be better.
The line that stayed with me long after I shut my ereader down was this:
“Danny… should have been surrounded by lots of friends during his life. But we grew up in a small community, with small minded people. They were kind enough to him, but none took the time to become his friend.”
Again, I cannot recommend “Danny Boy” enough. Pick up a copy today at Amazon.
-Tony Breeden
From the Bookwyrm’s Lair
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
August 13, 2016
When Cathy and Danny are born the same night, it is the beginning of their sweet friendship.
This book was very sweet! I loved how Cathy stuck up for Danny, and their friendship tugged on my heart as I read it. A couple times I kept saying, “I’m going to cry.” I felt like this short little story really wrapped me around its finger in a story of child-like love and friendship. I felt very absorbed in the characters and story-line, even being as short as it was! That takes a lot of talent! Great job!
This book was very sweet! I loved how Cathy stuck up for Danny, and their friendship tugged on my heart as I read it. A couple times I kept saying, “I’m going to cry.” I felt like this short little story really wrapped me around its finger in a story of child-like love and friendship. I felt very absorbed in the characters and story-line, even being as short as it was! That takes a lot of talent! Great job!
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April 1, 2016Thank you for this book! Short but very heart warming! True story about the innocence of youth! They except everybody! Danny was a lucky boy to have a childhood friend so dear and so close! Thank you for being Danny's friend and may you have many blessed memories!
December 21, 2018
Precious friendship
Recounting of a love between best friends. So very sweet. Very short story but don't discount it because of that.
Recounting of a love between best friends. So very sweet. Very short story but don't discount it because of that.
March 19, 2014
I loved this short story. It’s a story of two very different children, Catherine and Danny, and the friendship that develops between them. It is a friendship that would be ordinary under different circumstances but Danny has Downs Syndrome. As a young child, Catherine sees nothing different in him. But as they grow and Catherine is sent to a school that won’t allow Danny, she sees that people treat him differently. It becomes clear to Catherine that Danny and she are not the same. But instead of drawing away from Danny, Catherine remains his friend through her growing up years and beyond.
Danny Boy is a simple yet poignant tale of acceptance that will have you thinking about the mentally handicapped and their place in our society.
Danny Boy is a simple yet poignant tale of acceptance that will have you thinking about the mentally handicapped and their place in our society.
March 1, 2014
This was a fine short piece about a girl who grew up with a best friend, Danny. She never saw Danny as any different from her, though he had Down syndrome. My son has autism and has never been able to make a friend like this-not a human friend, anyway. His best friend was the cat he grew up with. When the cat died suddenly at only 11 years old, we immediately got him another kitten, Gwen, who seemed to know instinctively that he was the reason she was there. He is unable to make and keep close human friends, and I wish he could be like Danny in that way.
It was a well written piece.
It was a well written piece.
August 13, 2016
This little book lets you look through the eyes of a little boy who's Mama was taken out by "The Hunter" You get to walk with him as he experiences a new change in his life. It makes you feel happy for him that he finally has a much more satisfied life than what he had before. The author did a great job of condensing and putting personality into her tale. It has a great ending to go into an even bigger story.
June 21, 2019
I read this immediately after The Hunter and thought it was even better than the first story. I really felt like I came to understand the Boy and the reasons he felt the way he did about the Hunter. I also liked the juxtaposition of the Hunter developing into a bad man from a good role model and the Boy developing into a good man from a bad role model.
Furthermore I felt the writing was more engaging and felt like the words of a confused young boy. An excellent read and highly recommended.
Furthermore I felt the writing was more engaging and felt like the words of a confused young boy. An excellent read and highly recommended.
March 14, 2014
Not normally engaged in short stories due to length, I thoroughly enjoyed Danny Boy and Ms. Whiskens portrayal of "non-disability." What could at first be dismissed as innocence as the main character effectively disregards Danny Boy's differences, ultimately shines through as friendship and love, teaching us all to dig a little deeper in our assessments and value of those a little different from ourselves. Would recommend to anyone looking for a quick, touching, and emotional read.
March 29, 2014
"Danny Boy" was so sweet and the perfect book to read when I needed something short, sweet, and thought-provoking. The author did an excellent job portraying each of her characters without the need for dialogue. In fact, there was very little dialogue in the entire book which is unusual, but well done by the author. I highly recommend this book for anyone with even a remote interest in Down's Syndrome.
February 27, 2014
I loved this. I am not usually into short stories, but I sat and read this and it touched my heart. As it is so true, on how the world views people who are different.
I am sat here writing this still snuffling and tearful, which is a big plus, as I love it when a book or the written word can touch my heart, Well done Laura, I looked forward to reading more stories in future.
I am sat here writing this still snuffling and tearful, which is a big plus, as I love it when a book or the written word can touch my heart, Well done Laura, I looked forward to reading more stories in future.
March 10, 2014
Danny Boy is a short but sweet, coming-of-age story about a little girl growing up with her best friend, who happens to have Down Syndrome.
It's heartwarming and a bit of a tear-jerker, with the beautiful message that everyone deserves to be loved unconditionally. It would be nice if every child with DS could be blessed with such a friend as Cathy.
Beautifully written and worth the read!
It's heartwarming and a bit of a tear-jerker, with the beautiful message that everyone deserves to be loved unconditionally. It would be nice if every child with DS could be blessed with such a friend as Cathy.
Beautifully written and worth the read!
April 4, 2014
I just finished this sweet short story. It was very well done. I enjoyed that the author took time to narrate the story instead of filling it with only dialog. The story between the two main characters is so innocent and beautiful. I am glad that someone could put this on paper so bravely.
October 29, 2014
Beautiful Story
This is a story of a wonderful childhood friendship that lasted into young adulthood. I highly recommend this story, it is well-written.
This is a story of a wonderful childhood friendship that lasted into young adulthood. I highly recommend this story, it is well-written.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews