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The Long Run: A Novel
From a hill above town, the Mount Kildare Orphanage for Boys looks down on the small city of St. John’s, Newfoundland. The year is 1960. The orphanage is always cold, there is never enough to eat, and the Catholic Brothers who run the home are heavy-handed in their religious discourses and harsh in their discipline. Here, a group of boys manages to look out for each other and live by their own set of rules.
By day the boys are obedient students, but when the sun goes down the Dare Klub rules the raiding the bakery; stealing sacramental wine; and talking endlessly about girls, sex, and the merits of Floyd Patterson versus Willie Mays. Above all, they help each other through the waves of loneliness and sadness that they all experience. Their secret society is their law and their family. But when the Brothers discover the wine is missing, they go on a manhunt, offering payoffs and bribes to any boy who will rat out the culprits.
To buck up the frightened boys’ courage, the Dare Klub’s leader, Blackie, creates a program of secret training for the annual St. John's marathon. The boys sneak out at night for running sessions in the hours before morning prayers, devising elaborate rituals to protect their secrecy. Leo Furey has created a classic coming-of-age story of dazzling scope and powerful insight, leavened with razor-sharp wit.
By day the boys are obedient students, but when the sun goes down the Dare Klub rules the raiding the bakery; stealing sacramental wine; and talking endlessly about girls, sex, and the merits of Floyd Patterson versus Willie Mays. Above all, they help each other through the waves of loneliness and sadness that they all experience. Their secret society is their law and their family. But when the Brothers discover the wine is missing, they go on a manhunt, offering payoffs and bribes to any boy who will rat out the culprits.
To buck up the frightened boys’ courage, the Dare Klub’s leader, Blackie, creates a program of secret training for the annual St. John's marathon. The boys sneak out at night for running sessions in the hours before morning prayers, devising elaborate rituals to protect their secrecy. Leo Furey has created a classic coming-of-age story of dazzling scope and powerful insight, leavened with razor-sharp wit.
384 pages, Paperback
First published March 9, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
April 1, 2016
I very much enjoyed this book, but I have to think that my enjoyment is because I am a Newfoundlander raised as a Roman Catholic. Set in a fictional Roman Catholic Mount Kildare orphanage (based on the real orphanage of Mount Cashel) in 1960/61 St. John’s, Newfoundland, this novel follows the exploits of a small group of orphans as the negotiate the demands of the Christian Brothers, their own development and their need for something beyond the confines of the orphanage. The book is humorous in places, absurd in others, occasionally heartbreaking, and more often disturbing. Amongst the humourous moments, at least for me as a toponymist, are the lessons the boys receive in Newfoundland toponmy (place names). However, like almost all humourous moments in the book, the toponomy lessons are tempered by passages of physical abuse the boys receive at the hands of the brothers. Perhaps a bit surprising is that while the strappings and beatings are described, the descriptions of sexual abuse are not as evident. Sexual abuse is happening in the book, but it is at the fringes of the narrative, more hinted at and obliquely described than outright stated. Of course the reader, or at least a reader familiar with the real-life Mount Cashel Orphanage sex abuse cases, know what is going on. The fact that this abuse does not need to be explicitly described demonstrates the scar that is left on the psyche of Newfoundland by the Cashel revelations and trials. Ultimately, it is the scar caused by the knowledge of Mount Cashel that gives the book its humanity.
April 18, 2007
This book was a disapointment. It started off so well, but I lost interest quickly. I would have rather just watched Annie than read the book.
February 2, 2008
I liked it, but it wasn't great. The reviews on the back of the book made it sound much better than it turned out. I was waiting for the " ... razor sharp wit ..." Hmmm.
August 28, 2023
This was an interesting 1960's "coming of age" story that takes place in a boys' Catholic orphanage in Newfoundland. Mount Kildare Orphanage for Boys is run by heavy handed, somewhat cruel Catholic Brothers, making life for it's young occupants a bit of a living hell. One group of boys manage to create and live by their own set of rules, forming the Dare Klub. Through a bond of secrecy and loyalty the members take on nightly escapades such as raiding the bakery and stealing sacramental wine. One day, Blackie, the leader of the Dare Klub, decides that the boys should train for the annual St. John's marathon. This means sneaking out of Mount Kildare in the early mornings to secretly train before morning prayers. Are Blackie and the boys merely motivated by the desire to win the big prize or is it more complicated?
The Long Run is a tragicomedy. I thought that the author incorporated a good mix of humor and sadness in this tale. Although the story dragged in some places, the different characters were engaging. It was a pretty good read that had me cheering on the boys of the Dare Klub in more ways than one.
The Long Run is a tragicomedy. I thought that the author incorporated a good mix of humor and sadness in this tale. Although the story dragged in some places, the different characters were engaging. It was a pretty good read that had me cheering on the boys of the Dare Klub in more ways than one.
January 19, 2016
Orphans in Newfoundland train in secret for a marathon, but that's not really what the book focuses on.
A lot of disconnected bits that make this feel jumbled and just not hit home. Sumo wrestling, NFL history, Jewish dogma...feels like a compilation of about five different stories. The marathon training needed to be substantially stronger to tie it all together. This was obviously written by a guy who submits lots of pieces to literary journals.
A lot of disconnected bits that make this feel jumbled and just not hit home. Sumo wrestling, NFL history, Jewish dogma...feels like a compilation of about five different stories. The marathon training needed to be substantially stronger to tie it all together. This was obviously written by a guy who submits lots of pieces to literary journals.
September 4, 2017
Thoroughly enjoyed this book about teenage boys at a Catholic orphanage in Newfoundland---their personalities, antics, and camaraderie. One of the few books I can remember as a laugh-out-loud book!
February 28, 2019
“The Long Run” gives a highly enjoyable and hilarious insight into the mind of a teenage boy, Aiden Carmichael, the book’s main character. Leo Furey’s characterization can be described as no less than fantastic. One chapter in, and I was completely in love with the characters, especial the orphans deep and in some cases hilarious outlook on their rather bad luck in life. Their philosophy is you just go to believe and laugh when it gets bitter. Two chapters in, and I had nothing but complete hatred for Brother Mccann who the boys describe as, “...an odd duck with the worst temper of all the brothers at the mount.” The plot is fairly linear with lots of flashbacks and memory moments that add layers and mystery to the plot that makes you want to keep reading. The story is filled with friendship, trouble, and the idea of never backing down or giving up. Things like how easy it to relate to the orphans, when they talk about their feelings of not having enough control or freedom in their lives, makes you really want them to succeed. The book’s plot is unique in both its location and events, very easily this book could of been extremely heavy and hard to read, due to the sadness of an orphan’s everyday reality especially in the 1960s. “The Long Run” however, I found to be meaningful while also entertaining. There were a few lines that made being quiet about laughing, so as not to interrupt a study hall, a challenge, I really enjoyed reading this book, and would consider the characters (that I now think of as people) I was introduced to, to be my favorite part. Would highly recommend it to anyone who likes underdog stories, adventure, or a little suspense and trouble but to teenagers in particular.
June 14, 2024
LOVED this. LOVED it. Furey gets you inside the minds of not only EVERY main character "orphan", but also the priests. Multiple intense storylines are woven together without any blips, and all the way through the story, you're thinking hard about *something*. Even with all that takes place during the story, it is very cohesive. I recommend this to everyone. You know when you finish a book and you want to hand it out to all your friends and relatives? That's this one. And not because it will necessarily speak to them about a personal problem or anything like that, but just because it's a very well-written story.
October 5, 2025
A charming book about a fictional orphanage in Newfoundland. There are a lot of characters to keep straight (boy orphans, priests who run the orphanage, the occasional girls from the female dorm next door, etc). I was concerned that this might make the book cumbersome but it was manageable. The story line will take you back to your own youth when you and your friends formed a “pack” to play, to dare one another to do risky things, to create an exclusive club, to form some of the most compelling friendships you’ll ever have. Well worth reading.
September 13, 2022
I expected this to be much darker and disturbing than it was. Undoubtedly the brutality of some of the brothers at this fictional (??) Catholic orphanage in St. John's NL is beyond belief, but there are compensations. These boys find ways to have fun and get away with some pretty risky ventures. Furey remembers pretty clearly what being a 14 year old boy was all about.
The language too is cheeky and vernacular and quite credible.
The language too is cheeky and vernacular and quite credible.
August 8, 2019
I found this book to be both hilarious and horrifying. There are vignettes that describe events and people that are not brought totally to completion but are delightful in the telling. The story had me investing in the characters and dreaming about them and what might happen. Had a passion to finish this story.
May 26, 2025
A novel that left me happy , sad, smiling and still reflecting. Growing up in Newfoundland without parents is difficult enough. But coming of age in Roman Catholic school, it was quite another feat in itself. Blackie, Bug and all the rest tell a tale of loss and redemption.
March 18, 2020
This book was very good and being raised in a Catholic school it brought back many memories of what the clergy were able to get away with in the 60's. The orphans developed their own family.
September 14, 2020
Very boring. I skipped through half the book to see if it got any better. It did not.
February 15, 2021
A good story, enjoyed the bond of the boys.. but the casual unaddressed sexual abuse by the adults.. ugh.
September 10, 2025
Initially interesting setting & characters .... snippets of humor in dialogue & descriptions ...
but, alas, eventually just too much of too much. Skip it.
but, alas, eventually just too much of too much. Skip it.
March 18, 2021
Set in 1960 at a boys orphanage, Mount Kildare, in St John's, Newfoundland, the story is told by one of the of a group of thirteen year old boys who share a dormitory. It's a harsh life, constant cold through the winter and never enough to eat, and liberal beatings handed out by the Brothers who teach at Mount Kildare for both misdemeanours and any slip up in the class room.
Yet the boys make the best of it and pull together showing genuine care and concern for one another. There may be the occasional disagreement between individual boys, but they sort these out among themselves, they even have their own system and code for dealing with such headed by Blackie, the only Negro boy among them and respected by all.
We follow the boys through one year during which their regular thefts of the sacramental wine and the bread from the bakery are discovered and ruthlessly investigated by the Brothers. To maintain moral Blackie organises the boys in training for the annual St John's marathon, which they enthusiastically and secretly do almost every night when they should be asleep in their beds. But the pressures of the orphanage regime, and just being an orphan get to more than one boy with tragic results.
These are basically good boys, they do their best in the classroom, they help each other out both academically and with the problems of loneliness which affect one or another from time to time, they treat the weaker ones with consideration and respect each ones individual talents and abilities. It is a positive and encourage account, yet often heart rending especially when covering the more brutal aspects of the Brothers' oversight. By contrast it is not without its moments of humour, and can on occasion by very funny.
The Long Run is a moving and touching story, it is very much character driven, with the plot progressing relatively slowly. I must admit I did not find it especially compelling until towards the conclusion, but it was always a heart warming read.
Yet the boys make the best of it and pull together showing genuine care and concern for one another. There may be the occasional disagreement between individual boys, but they sort these out among themselves, they even have their own system and code for dealing with such headed by Blackie, the only Negro boy among them and respected by all.
We follow the boys through one year during which their regular thefts of the sacramental wine and the bread from the bakery are discovered and ruthlessly investigated by the Brothers. To maintain moral Blackie organises the boys in training for the annual St John's marathon, which they enthusiastically and secretly do almost every night when they should be asleep in their beds. But the pressures of the orphanage regime, and just being an orphan get to more than one boy with tragic results.
These are basically good boys, they do their best in the classroom, they help each other out both academically and with the problems of loneliness which affect one or another from time to time, they treat the weaker ones with consideration and respect each ones individual talents and abilities. It is a positive and encourage account, yet often heart rending especially when covering the more brutal aspects of the Brothers' oversight. By contrast it is not without its moments of humour, and can on occasion by very funny.
The Long Run is a moving and touching story, it is very much character driven, with the plot progressing relatively slowly. I must admit I did not find it especially compelling until towards the conclusion, but it was always a heart warming read.
May 11, 2010
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.
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.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2008
This story follows a close group of 'norphs' at a catholic orphanage in Newfoundland as they help each other make the best of a difficult situation. They survive by training in secret for a marathon, stealing wine from the sacristy, and generally breaking a score of ridiculous rules. Besides being a very engaging read, i quite like how Furey keeps pace such as to immerse you in the day to day events while still keeping the story moving and leaving time for stirring insights. There is an awful lot of interesting things going on in what might otherwise seem to be a dreary place.
June 5, 2013
There were parts of this book I really enjoyed. The story takes place in a boys' orphanage/school run by priests in 1960 in Newfoundland. Some of the lectures by the brothers are hilarious, as is their attempt to control these boys. The antics of the boys and their loyalty to each other is both amusing and heartwarming. The ending is quite disappointing, after the buildup of the secret training by the boys for the local marathon. I thought the premise of the plot was interesting, which is what kept me reading. But it moved too slow.
February 2, 2014
Boys in a Newfoundland orphanage. Even though the way of life is harsh - not enough to eat, heavy handed discipline, dogmatic religious instruction - the boys make their own fun and find support from each other. The book is written with the depth of emotion that seems as if the author lived this life.
good quote:
The world of the imagination is a more real world than the one we wake up to every day
August 10, 2011
Okay, I'm just going to say it... are teenage boys THAT obsessed with masturbation? I'm sorry if you are sensitive to those words, but if you are don't read this book. Another great writer, interesting and even lovable characters and good plot, but too much vulgarity for me to finish. I guess I'm turning into a prude in my old age!
August 11, 2016
I wanted to really love this book but it was just a bit too clumsy for me to rave about. With 10 years in catholic school, I appreciated all the memories but the characters weren't developed enough that I felt I knew them, and the plot and subplots just weren't compelling. It was a great draft but not yet complete.
November 19, 2007
4.5 stars. Wonderful story about boys growing up in a Catholic orphanage in 1960. I loved their resiliency. The narrator has a great voice and there is a touch of humor to an otherwise grim situation. Highly recommended!
January 22, 2008
Not a great read - but a glorious break from cases during the holiday! :)
Was duped by the excellent reviews of the book (it is a well-lauded coming-of-age novel set in a Canadian boys home) but disappointed in the vague story-line and static characters. Not recommended.
Was duped by the excellent reviews of the book (it is a well-lauded coming-of-age novel set in a Canadian boys home) but disappointed in the vague story-line and static characters. Not recommended.
March 13, 2008
This was a nice, understated story. The pacing was good - not a 'read in one night' sort of book....you will want to spend some time with this one. These characters will stay with you and you will find yourself thinking about them long after you have closed the book.
April 11, 2008
Growing up Catholic, I think I was able to find a little more humor in this book than others might. Definitely not a "can't put it down" type of read, but a steady, interesting story with some memorable characters.
August 20, 2008
I loved that this book still made me laugh even when I was floored by the stories of these boys lives. And I think that is why I enjoyed this read so much, because in that respect it felt real...
I cried and wanted more.
I cried and wanted more.
July 28, 2009
This book has a lot going for it in the way of characters and storyline but the choppy writing style gets in the way of what could have been an engrossing read. Still, it was enjoyable and I find myself thinking about those boys and the men they may have turned out to be.
July 17, 2011
quite an ok read... story tough...I want to bop those who think the way to raise kids is to be so mean to them.... certain groups seems to have had such a philosophy... so would be a 4 if story was not so tough...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews