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Strange Boy
As the lurid excesses of the swirling 1970s give way to the neutral pastal shades of the early 1980s, David is ten years old but growing-up fast in a broken home in the north-east of England. Life for him and his brother is a constant whirl of interrogating parents, would-be step-families and over-bearing relatives. David lives with his mam, except at weekends when he sees his dad and his gran, who's always off impersonating Shirley Bassey down the working-men's clubs. The big women in his family talk to him like a grown-up, like he's one of the girls. They tell him he's bright, that he's sensitive, special. But such a strange boy...Afraid to trust his instincts and with his loyalties torn in two, David must face up to his childhood's end, his feuding family and his own burgeoning sexuality. And when everything around you is just take, take, take something's got to give...no matter who gets hurt in the process. Warm and funny, evocative and true, Paul Magrs' characters come so alive on the page you'll find yourself drawn into David's world with all defences down. It's a wild playground of messed-up lives and torn-up families and the strength of a secret, special love.
289 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 7, 2011
Something happens at the beginning of this novel that had critics talking when it was first released. People can have their opinion about what's appropriate for a young reading audience, but I think this is brilliant.
The Something that Happens at the Beginning did something so subtle and wonderful, I am in awe of it; it set up the emotional subtext of a relationship that spans the rest of the story. Structurally inspired writing.
Yes, parts of this drag as the narrator, David, talks us through his parents divorce, his mad relatives and the goings-on of small-town life, but it is a journey well worth taking. Magrs captures the voice of every character with incredible ease. But the magic of this lies in the fact that I empathised with David, with John, and with their broken families, even though I have nothing in common with them.
And the climax not only beautifully mirrors that Something that Happened at the Beginning, it actually manages to top it. A scene so fantastic, it left me breathless.
The Something that Happens at the Beginning did something so subtle and wonderful, I am in awe of it; it set up the emotional subtext of a relationship that spans the rest of the story. Structurally inspired writing.
Yes, parts of this drag as the narrator, David, talks us through his parents divorce, his mad relatives and the goings-on of small-town life, but it is a journey well worth taking. Magrs captures the voice of every character with incredible ease. But the magic of this lies in the fact that I empathised with David, with John, and with their broken families, even though I have nothing in common with them.
And the climax not only beautifully mirrors that Something that Happened at the Beginning, it actually manages to top it. A scene so fantastic, it left me breathless.
December 7, 2021
A coming-of-age novel that felt more like a memoir, about a boy in the north of England. I enjoyed the nostalgia factor, with lots of 1970s items mentioned, and little brother Christopher was adorable.
May 23, 2024
Strange Boy is in the P.O.V. of a 10-year-old, set in the seventies in England. He thinks, and tells stories about his relatives, parents, grandparents, mum’s boyfriend and his family, and the neighbours. He thinks about genitals quite a lot at some points, and… fourteen-year-old John.
I thought this book was quite well written. It does feel as though the reader is living through a ten-year-old, you can really understand the story from a child’s point of view, and it doesn’t feel like the kid is too old or too young at any points. The emotion is very set in when necessary, and felt fitting for the age.
I also quite liked the glossary at the back of the book full of references to ads, TV shows, annuals, The Bee Gees, characters, and other things. It included what the references meant, and what the writer thought of them.
One of the main reasons that I read this book was the blurb, which stuck out to me as a queer person. The way it hinted, I figured this book would be about David figuring himself out, and about his relationship with John. But actually, John was barely mentioned. He only came up in a couple of chapters and his mentions were typically brief. Although there were hints that David might be gay, it was inconclusive. While I do understand this, considering the age of the characters, and understanding that orientation isn’t as much of a big deal to kids, I was a little disappointed. The blurb implied the book would be about this specific side of David, but it was hardly mentioned and only ever brushed past.
The book also ended quite suddenly, and was inconclusive about many things, not just David’s orientation and friendship with John, but also about family things, him as a person, and there were a lot of loose ends that were never tied up. I found it to be rather abrupt.
Overall, I did enjoy reading this book. Some parts were a little odd though, especially the first chapter, but aside from that it was nice and had a good feel to it.
Despite feeling unresolved and having a sense of time put in for the wrong reasons, I still think it was a good book read. If you happen to come across it and have the chance to read it, I would recommend it, but not excessively.
I thought this book was quite well written. It does feel as though the reader is living through a ten-year-old, you can really understand the story from a child’s point of view, and it doesn’t feel like the kid is too old or too young at any points. The emotion is very set in when necessary, and felt fitting for the age.
I also quite liked the glossary at the back of the book full of references to ads, TV shows, annuals, The Bee Gees, characters, and other things. It included what the references meant, and what the writer thought of them.
One of the main reasons that I read this book was the blurb, which stuck out to me as a queer person. The way it hinted, I figured this book would be about David figuring himself out, and about his relationship with John. But actually, John was barely mentioned. He only came up in a couple of chapters and his mentions were typically brief. Although there were hints that David might be gay, it was inconclusive. While I do understand this, considering the age of the characters, and understanding that orientation isn’t as much of a big deal to kids, I was a little disappointed. The blurb implied the book would be about this specific side of David, but it was hardly mentioned and only ever brushed past.
The book also ended quite suddenly, and was inconclusive about many things, not just David’s orientation and friendship with John, but also about family things, him as a person, and there were a lot of loose ends that were never tied up. I found it to be rather abrupt.
Overall, I did enjoy reading this book. Some parts were a little odd though, especially the first chapter, but aside from that it was nice and had a good feel to it.
Despite feeling unresolved and having a sense of time put in for the wrong reasons, I still think it was a good book read. If you happen to come across it and have the chance to read it, I would recommend it, but not excessively.
April 16, 2021
It was okay. I liked some parts but most of it just annoyed me. I know families are complicated but I wanted to shake all the grown ups in this book all the time for what they made the kids go through. I also wish there was a better balance between the family plot and the plot with David's and John's friendship. But I read that the book is 95% autobiographical (which makes me appreciate it more) so I get it. You're in the head of a 10 year old boy with lots of things on his mind and it just starts somewhere and ends somewhere without a real plot. The 5% that are not autogiographical (I guess) were my favourite part though. I really like the scene, it was a welcome surprise in this rather boring book.
November 20, 2021
3,5 stars
very sam fender-ish with the whole south shields/aycliffe setting, some nice passages and touching message overall, nothing really happens, ending is boring, reads nicely but not particularly gripping, pretty cover!
very sam fender-ish with the whole south shields/aycliffe setting, some nice passages and touching message overall, nothing really happens, ending is boring, reads nicely but not particularly gripping, pretty cover!
February 19, 2022
Brilliant book. Took me ages to read because my work has been crazy recently. Also… I found it quite confronting due to the plot line surrounding the main characters broken family mirroring my childhood experience in many ways.
April 9, 2020
Strange Book!
I was tempted to stop the review there, but that will only serve to annoy readers of this review, so to flesh out my feelings a bit: Paul Magrs set out to write a book he would have liked to read as a young teen. Presumably he succeeded in this quest, but I know it is not a book I would have wanted at the same age. For some people this will no doubt be a fresh original work, gritty and exploring realistic themes as 10 year old David's parents divorce and find new partners. In the meantime David explores themes of emerging sexuality, as well as friendship, rejection, peer pressure and suchlike.
Whilst the book will find its admirers, I disliked it. The sexual encounter is a brave departure for a children's or young adult book, but it does not really come over well. Something happens and then its forgotten - and the something that happens just does not feel realistic - more like the kind of encounter a 30 something year old might wish they had dared at the age of 10. I could be wrong there, but that was my feeling. In any case it went nowhere and ultimately did not seem to fit with the greater theme of the book.
But then I have to ask myself what the greater themes of the book was, and I am not sure I can really answer that. This is a story without a story. It has all the subtle back story you would expect in a good novel, but it seems to be missing an overarching plot. The book kind of fizzled out, and did not really end.
Many of the themes of this book are so much more expertly put together in books by David Almond or Pauline Fisk and others. Where the book is perhaps highly original, it fails to capitalise on this and unfortunately this is a book that will be quickly forgettable. I would not recommend it to its intended young adult audience - there are many much better works to choose from.
Paul Magrs does show some promise in this book. He just fails to realise it. Perhaps a name to watch in the future, but this book is not one I can recommend.
I was tempted to stop the review there, but that will only serve to annoy readers of this review, so to flesh out my feelings a bit: Paul Magrs set out to write a book he would have liked to read as a young teen. Presumably he succeeded in this quest, but I know it is not a book I would have wanted at the same age. For some people this will no doubt be a fresh original work, gritty and exploring realistic themes as 10 year old David's parents divorce and find new partners. In the meantime David explores themes of emerging sexuality, as well as friendship, rejection, peer pressure and suchlike.
Whilst the book will find its admirers, I disliked it. The sexual encounter is a brave departure for a children's or young adult book, but it does not really come over well. Something happens and then its forgotten - and the something that happens just does not feel realistic - more like the kind of encounter a 30 something year old might wish they had dared at the age of 10. I could be wrong there, but that was my feeling. In any case it went nowhere and ultimately did not seem to fit with the greater theme of the book.
But then I have to ask myself what the greater themes of the book was, and I am not sure I can really answer that. This is a story without a story. It has all the subtle back story you would expect in a good novel, but it seems to be missing an overarching plot. The book kind of fizzled out, and did not really end.
Many of the themes of this book are so much more expertly put together in books by David Almond or Pauline Fisk and others. Where the book is perhaps highly original, it fails to capitalise on this and unfortunately this is a book that will be quickly forgettable. I would not recommend it to its intended young adult audience - there are many much better works to choose from.
Paul Magrs does show some promise in this book. He just fails to realise it. Perhaps a name to watch in the future, but this book is not one I can recommend.
August 8, 2011
It was good. Thats about all i have to say about it. I heard it was a controversial book, and i thought i was all up for some controversy. It wasn't really.. bad... at all though. The "Gay" theme was hardly there, or relevant. It was just the characteristic of the main character. But it added to the fact of how "David" never fits in. It seemed like quite a realistic story. kind of.
One bit i didnt understand was the "healing" bit, after John was beaten up and David claimed to have "healed" him. what was going on there? i presumed it was all a part of his imagination...
Next im reading "forbidden". That looks like its taking controversial to a new level! in fact im quite scared of reading it. addios ;)
One bit i didnt understand was the "healing" bit, after John was beaten up and David claimed to have "healed" him. what was going on there? i presumed it was all a part of his imagination...
Next im reading "forbidden". That looks like its taking controversial to a new level! in fact im quite scared of reading it. addios ;)
May 3, 2015
A well written novel that I felt I could relate to in some instances. I knew what it was like to be a child between bitter, broken parents for example: staying at my father's house only to feel awkward and as if my opinion or my feelings didn't matter. As well as having parents ask questions of me about the what the other behaved like / said. And witnessing parent's 'new partners' coming and going, just when you thought you'd got to know them. Similarly to the lead character David, I cracked my head open at his age and had to suffer the waiting room and the pain of stitches in the back of the head! So for me, 'Strange Boy' made me nostalgic and even a little uncomfortable, but it's certainly a book that has cast a spell on me and I know it will stay in my heart forever.
December 12, 2015
I really enjoyed delving into the world of "Strange Boy". Paul Magrs convincingly portrays life through the eyes of 10 year old David, growing up at the end of the 70s. We follow him as he develops and matures, learning how to assert himself in a world he's not quite sure where he belongs. He's torn between families as he struggles to find a place for himself in both his dad's family (and life) and the extended family of his mother's new partner. At the same time he's searching for his place among his peers and finding that he doesn't quite fit.
I feel that this is the story of David's search for his own voice as he defies the pushes of the grown up world and decides who he is, what he wants and how to make this heard for himself.
I feel that this is the story of David's search for his own voice as he defies the pushes of the grown up world and decides who he is, what he wants and how to make this heard for himself.
March 28, 2014
It was alright. I liked parts of it, but it wasn't really anything special. I don't really have anything to say about it. It was a quick read that made me think of old stories; when I hit my head, when I overheard grown-ups talking before going to sleep, the excitement of their world before I knew what it entailed. Those fuzzy memories you're left behind with.
So maybe it wasn't that bad after all. It has a certain feel to it, a very deliberate one. It's too bad so many story elements are trite, and the ending doesn't really go anywhere. I don't think I'll remember this book in a year. It's just another thing I read, in-between some other great ones.
So maybe it wasn't that bad after all. It has a certain feel to it, a very deliberate one. It's too bad so many story elements are trite, and the ending doesn't really go anywhere. I don't think I'll remember this book in a year. It's just another thing I read, in-between some other great ones.
July 28, 2017
Nei libri di Magrs che ho letto finora c'è sempre stato qualcosa che non mi ha convinto fino in fondo, un elemento di disinganno difficile da definire e che riesco a descrivere solo come una 'carenza di struttura'.
Ebbene, probabilmente questa caratteristica della sua scrittura è presente anche in Strange Boy, ma si adatta perfettamente alla rocambolesca narrazione dell'insolita infanzia di David, la arricchisce e la rende davvero unica.
Ebbene, probabilmente questa caratteristica della sua scrittura è presente anche in Strange Boy, ma si adatta perfettamente alla rocambolesca narrazione dell'insolita infanzia di David, la arricchisce e la rende davvero unica.
March 28, 2014
I really liked this book and the ten year old protagonists David. I loved the idea of these bleeped families (similar to my own) and the touch on "controversial " homosexual issues without making it seem controversial at all. I really liked the simplicity and reality to the story. SPOILER However I was a bit thrown off with the powers bit and didn't feel it was all that necessary. The novel itself should have definitely go on a little longer, giving more insight and more of a climax.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2012
A wonderfully messed up kid thinks he has super powers. Quite 'curious incident of the dog in the night time' esque. Giving children a voice. I love this book. Definitely one of my favorites but not one for the light-hearted.
September 15, 2013
Okay this was a very, um, quirky book. Don't really know what to make of it. I enjoyed it, but I'm not exactly sure why. Just have 'the carnival of the animals the aquarium' on in the background and you're good to go.
June 26, 2009
I really loved this book. I found it to be highly involving and will certainly reread at some point. Just the sort of thing that makes me happy.
August 25, 2008
A very sweet book about the awakening (sexual and otherwise) of a young boy who thinks he has superpowers. Quirky, bitterly sad in parts and overall, very compelling.
October 10, 2014
DNF but it looks so cutesy and quirky that i have a continuous urge to read it! i will read it soon in a few months maybe.
December 12, 2014
Contained interesting perspectives but failed to truly intrigue me and capture my attention. Alright read but nothing amazing
April 2, 2016
Meh. It was ok. Kept my interest as it was set in the North East England in the 1970s but not an amazing read.
May 12, 2012
an interesting point of view that i enjoyed
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews