Boom Road

by Shawn Lawlor

222 pages, Paperback

Published May 15, 2024

Reviews

[Tom Wile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty well written. Characters were well developed and you definitely got into them. I could see this book could have been longer and more in depth. Would have like to have seen the character ‘Mike’ as a bigger protagonist. Maybe the writer explored that and it didn’t work. Parts of it were very funny and others very sad. Not sure what genre this fits in but it’s was fun to read and always cool when places you have been are mentioned in a read.

Set in Miramichi, NB and some parts in Fredericton it was easy to recognize a number of places. I’d definitely read this author again.

[Jim Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very pleasurable read for a first novel. Especially so as it is set in Miramichi where I live, so it felt like a homegrown story (which it is, as the author is from here). Another good release from NB's Galleon Books.

[Samuel Jacobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written book. Neat story & setting. Received this at my book club. Thanks for the book, Shawn.

[Krystal Blackmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boom Road feels like a folktale woven together by a series of witty side stories and vivid imagery. The story is about Jackie O’Connor, a pretty regular fella trying to live a quiet life, but Lordy, he’s had a rough couple years.

Shawn Lawlor comes from up the Little Southwest and wrote his familiarity of the people and place into his debut novel.

Being from Miramichi, I can hear the voices and accents and it reminds me of home in the best and worst possible ways.

[Victoria Dempster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put this book down. The author captures the reader the whole way through brilliantly with humour, suspense and raw emotions. Anyone from New Brunswick has to appreciate not only the cleverness and wit of references in the book, but the characters and culture relayed so flawlessly as well (I imagine for many from regions with rural areas as well!). Easiest 5 stars I’ve given on GoodReads, highly recommend!

[Deborah Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a debut novel I thought it was well done. The story revolves around Jackie, who grew up on the banks of the Miramichi River in NB. Set in 1982 with some “flashbacks” to earlier times to help put certain characters and situations into better perspective for the reader and what comes next in the story. Jackie is the main character but other characters such as his long time friends, wife, and coworkers also play a part in how this story unfolds around and to Jackie. I enjoyed the well written descriptions of the river and forests in all the seasons. The challenges of growing up in poorer rural communities and the details of life in the early 1980s were spot on. Although at times a heart wrenching story, there are some laughs as well… sprinkled in at unexpected moments. I liked the quotes at the beginning of each of the sections in the book… and how they popped up in the next portion of the story being woven. I think the characters and situations encountered will speak to many people in rural areas of the Maritime Provinces and especially to those who are from rural NB… I am sure we can all relate to pieces of the characters in this book as people whom we know and what kinds of “trouble” or situations people can fall into. An enjoyable read.

[Jason Haughn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic read, and even better if you take it with you to read while in the woods camping.

The setting, steeped in the rich, rural backdrop of early 1980s New Brunswick, is unabashedly Canadian, providing a sense of authenticity that is both nostalgic and immersive. The characters are fully developed and multidimensional. The story is well paced weaving smaller vignettes into the larger narrative, crescendoing to an absolutely cinematic ending.

While I wasn't raised in a rural community, I've met all of these characters at some point in my life, in some way or another. The details of place and time, combined with familarity and connection of these characters make Boom Road even more authentic and engaging. there's truth in here.

I would like to say "I couldn't put it down", but I did - I started the book while on a camping weekend and it was such a perfect setting for this story that I forced myself to wait until the next camping trip to read the second half!

Regardless, this was an absolute joy to read.

[Kyle Findlay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Witty, well-paced, and a plot that makes this book hard to put down.

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s 1982 and Jackie O’Connor’s life is admirably simple. Jackie lives with his dog Ruby in a house in the woods near the Miramichi River in North Esk, New Brunswick. Because he doesn’t drive, he commutes to his job at the local sawmill in his canoe, taking Ruby with him. His best friends, Boyd and Donny, work with him at the sawmill, and the three of them like nothing better than getting together at Jackie’s place, cracking open a few beers and watching Montreal Expos games. Jackie doesn’t mind hard work, and he has a reliable moral compass that never steers him wrong. The only activity he’s involved in that carries even the slightest whiff of something illicit is making deliveries for his friend Mike, who runs a bootlegging operation, and he’s only doing that because Mike suffers from muscular dystrophy and is confined to a wheelchair. But the simplicity of Jackie’s life is only surface deep. He’s dealing with a tragic loss. His wife Gen was recently killed in a car accident, and his instincts in the wake of the incident told him to retreat and get back to basics. But more trouble awaits. Jackie’s friend Donny is married to Claire, Jackie’s cousin. Donny is a sad case—unambitious, immature, a boozer—and Claire, though she still loves him, can’t take it anymore and has walked away from the marriage. Shortly after Claire leaves him, Donny reveals a secret to Jackie: he’s carrying around a winning lottery ticket worth half a million dollars. Does he tell Claire, or not? Jackie has no advice and wants nothing to do with the entire business, though it’s obvious that eventually Claire will find out one way or another. But shit happens, and Jackie’s disavowal of the money does not save him from a situation that grows messier day by day and slowly creeps toward a violent and bloody dénouement. Shawn Lawlor’s debut novel places a good man in grave danger through no fault of his own. If Jackie O’Connor has a fault, it is a trusting nature that leads him to believe that people are always striving to do the right thing, and it’s this belief that lands him in hot water. Lawlor writes in a rough-hewn vernacular that effectively evokes early 1980s New Brunswick, and he makes the most of the Miramichi setting by building tension through descriptions of an eerie and oftentimes threatening natural world. But though its action is limited to a specific time and place, Boom Road will appeal to readers everywhere because it succeeds as entertainment while plumbing the murkiest depths of human nature to tell an ageless tale of depravity and redemption.

[Cheryl Bauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boom Road is a charming rural read that will have you time-travelling back to 1982. It’s a hauntingly accurate portrayal of rural life on the river. Whether you are from New Brunswick, familiar with New Brunswick, from any small Canadian town, or simply curious about what growing up in a hamlet would have been like I would recommend this book.

The author has spun a tale of family, friendship and loyalty while also including the hard life lessons and peril in the world that affects everyone and even the smallest of towns. This is done with well-placed humour and masterful dialogue that will make you feel as if you really know (and maybe have even met) each of the characters you encounter in a concise 222 pages.

[Megan Hallett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boom Road isn’t my usual genre, but Shawn Lawlor’s storytelling style had me intrigued. He draws you straight into the small-town universe he’s crafted, with colloquial dialect that is authentic and relatable. Each character comes alive so vividly, they could easily be people you know.


Reading this book is like sitting around a kitchen party, listening to an old friend tell stories that captivate you long into the night. Lawlor has a knack for making you feel part of the community he's describing, sharing the highs and lows of everyday life in a way that’s both familiar and captivating. This is a great read if you’re looking for a narrative with heart.

[John A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally got a chance to read this, while sitting on a patio, watching the Miramichi river.
This book is very true to the area - even more so, it is true to the time period in which the story takes place.
I know these characters in real life, though these days, they’re more likely to snowmobile down the river as opposed to skating down it.
The story is clever, quirky and well-woven. The prose is flawless and consistent - think Irvine Welsh - but easier to consume (possibly because I recognize the dialect).
A fun read that somehow combines zany Carl Hiaasen with David Adams Richards and a hint of a classic Guy Ritchie film.
Well done!

[Sean O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was gifted a copy of Boom Road for Christmas this year. It has been one of my favorite books I've ever read. The characters remind me of people I know, and it has an unmistakable Mirimichi character to it. It was an absolute pleasure to read this book. This is something all people from Mirimichi and their surrounding communities, and indeed all people from NB, should read.

[Sue Slade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boom Road by Shawn Lawlor was a finalist for the Margaret and John Savage First Book Award for fiction for 2025. This award is presented to an outstanding debut Nova Scotia author, published in the preceding year. There were three finalists.

Boom Road features Jackie and his friends/co-workers, Boyd and Donny. Jackie is a 6'4”, non-driver who travels to his job at the mill in the summer by canoe and in the winter by skating on the Miramichi River, in New Brunswick. Set in 1982, this slice-of-life novel is set on the Miramichi, before it became amalgamated, and just four years before I moved there. Shawn did an outstanding job of describing the Miramichi and bringing it to detailed life for the reader. The scenes, inhabitants, and dialect of the rural communities were spot-on. The story tackles subjects of substance abuse, the impact of death, grieving, and sudden wealth, and gender roles and expectations.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read! Coming from the Miramichi, I enjoyed all the place name references.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great quickish read. It’s got a bit of everything, some humour and even some noir. It really captures the Miramichi in the 1980s but is probably relatable to anyone that grew up in rural areas of Atlantic Canada.

[Brent Platt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful and easy read that is rich with humor and introspection, capturing the essence of small-town life with its unique characters and their quirks. Jackie’s interactions with his friends, Boyd Meeks and Donny McGivney, are both hilarious and heartwarming, showcasing Lawlor’s talent for dialogue and regional slang.

Despite the lighthearted moments, “Boom Road” doesn’t shy away from drama and hardship. The unexpected twists, add depth to the narrative and keep readers engaged. Lawlor’s ability to balance humor with serious themes makes this book a compelling read.

The setting of the early 80s is brought to life with nostalgic references to the era, from Expos broadcasts on CBC to diet fads and Lotto 649. These details enhance the story’s authenticity and will resonate with readers who remember those times.

It is a delightful mix of laughter, tenderness, and poignant moments. Whether you’re from New Brunswick or simply curious about small-town Canada, this novel is a must-read.

10/10 would recommend!

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

These working-class characters very much feel like my friends and family growing up. They were well constructed. I particularly liked that the main protagonist traversed the river by canoe and on skates--a great way to show the reader the place at a slower pace.

[Courtney Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I have never been to this part of New Brunswick, but I felt like I was right there. The author paints such a vibrant picture of the physical place where the story is set and the time frame within which it exists. I also feel like this book would resonate with anyone who grew up in any rural part of Canada more generally. The characters are the star of this novel and I couldn't help but invest in them as a reader. It was a page turner and the kind of book you should absolutely pack in your bag for a weekend trip - you'll want to pick it up back up as soon as you put it down. Highly recommend!

[Rhonda Henneberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the debut novel, Shawn nails rural life set in the early 80's.
One of the main characters, Jackie, a simple man not wanting or expecting anything but honesty from others, takes us through his life. It touches on his daily life events which evolve around his friendships and love, while touching on religion, politics, horror, drugs and a shoot out. It is packed with rural life adventures and sayings.

Although, the novel is under 230 pages, it is jammed packed with suspense and intrigue.

[Michael Unsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! A must read!

[Lee Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edited and published this wonderful novel. Am I biased? Of course, but I published it because I loved it! Review here:

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