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Little Big Boy
Little Big Boy tells the often harrowing tale of a small boy, struggling to cope in an environment of violence and fear, in 1970’s Dublin. All he wants is to be a big boy, but that comes with a price. At home, he faces an increasingly violent father and at school, he encounters new threats from other boys and more menacingly, from one Christian Brother in particular. In the midst of his turmoil, the one person that stands up for him and keeps him safe is his mother. But a series of seemingly unconnected events, conjure up a storm of epic proportions, with this little boy in its path.
- GenresFiction
293 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
July 13, 2015
I followed the journey of this child in Little Big Boy from beginning to end. Sometimes I laughed, sometimes I welled up, and sometimes I was angry. Little Big Boy displays so many emotions that Max Power makes the reader feel them. The great use of first person also aided in bringing out the raw emotions and feelings portrayed throughout. Whether the reader empathises or sympathises, one thing for sure is they will remember reading this book.
The author's choice of words and the great use of 'show don't tell' made this a brilliant book. There aren't a lot of characters in Little Big Boy, but the ones we do meet all stand out, and they are important in the life of the little big boy in some way or another.
Technically the book is word perfect and is written in the first person which is a hard POV to nail, but Power did it, and did it well.
We witness through the child's eyes, hurt, love, loss, bullying, and violence just to name a few. They say an author puts a lot of themselves into what they write and their characters, Max Powers feelings as a small boy may resonate with male readers. As a female, and a mother I found his love for his mother endearing.
The author's choice of words and the great use of 'show don't tell' made this a brilliant book. There aren't a lot of characters in Little Big Boy, but the ones we do meet all stand out, and they are important in the life of the little big boy in some way or another.
Technically the book is word perfect and is written in the first person which is a hard POV to nail, but Power did it, and did it well.
We witness through the child's eyes, hurt, love, loss, bullying, and violence just to name a few. They say an author puts a lot of themselves into what they write and their characters, Max Powers feelings as a small boy may resonate with male readers. As a female, and a mother I found his love for his mother endearing.
February 6, 2016
This is a fantastic read and so realistic that I thought I was reading an autobiography. Perhaps because I grew up during the same time and having shared some of the same experiences as the young boy at the center of the book, I couldn't put the book down and felt like I was back at school and in the playground alongside our Little Big Boy.
The author has done a great job of recreating the feelings of young boys from those times. I felt the same way about school, fighting, Xmas presents and all the other childhood experiences portrayed in the book. I thought the characterization of the mother and father was particularly brilliant.
The story is about growing up in tough times in a poor family and attending a strict religious school where discipline is liberally applied by a beating. At times this was a tough story to read but it was always gripping.
Strongly recommended!
The author has done a great job of recreating the feelings of young boys from those times. I felt the same way about school, fighting, Xmas presents and all the other childhood experiences portrayed in the book. I thought the characterization of the mother and father was particularly brilliant.
The story is about growing up in tough times in a poor family and attending a strict religious school where discipline is liberally applied by a beating. At times this was a tough story to read but it was always gripping.
Strongly recommended!
May 16, 2015
There was much to endear this book to me. I liked the subject matter, which centred on growing up in Dublin in the 1970s. I myself grew up during this time, and so there was so many fond memories revived as a result. I did not grow up in Dublin, but after reading this book, I feel that I did.
It is a wonderful story of a young boy’s life. Starting at his fifth birthday, the book takes through some major experiences as seen through the eyes of a young boy. He is proud to be his mother’s Little Big Boy. Now that his baby sister has been born, He can no longer be the baby of the family.
Therefore, despite his diminutive size for his age, he tries hard to grow up fast. He wants badly to grow up in size, but he faces a different kind of growing up. What he encounters is a whole bunch of life’s hard lessons, which come with new responsibilities, new problems, and a new conscious dawning. Life teaches him that growing up has its advantages and disadvantages.
This book was written so well in the first person perspective, that I had to initially question whether it was autobiographical. It isn’t. It reminded me very much of the award winning book by Mark Haddon, called the ‘Curious incident of the dog in the night-time’. That has always been one of my favourite books, because of how cleverly it was written. This book shares a lot in common due to its subtle descriptions of events unfolding around him that he does not fully understand. Because the main character is a small boy, he has no idea of the complexities of the issues affecting his parents, and his friends. Therefore, he attempts to understand them as best he can.
It’s a really warm book which is a pleasure to read. I only read a couple of chapters every night, because I was savouring it, enjoying the literary style, the lingo, and the Irish Dublin culture, which it is steeped in.
For me this is a five star book, which makes me want to read other books from this author’s catalogue.
It is a wonderful story of a young boy’s life. Starting at his fifth birthday, the book takes through some major experiences as seen through the eyes of a young boy. He is proud to be his mother’s Little Big Boy. Now that his baby sister has been born, He can no longer be the baby of the family.
Therefore, despite his diminutive size for his age, he tries hard to grow up fast. He wants badly to grow up in size, but he faces a different kind of growing up. What he encounters is a whole bunch of life’s hard lessons, which come with new responsibilities, new problems, and a new conscious dawning. Life teaches him that growing up has its advantages and disadvantages.
This book was written so well in the first person perspective, that I had to initially question whether it was autobiographical. It isn’t. It reminded me very much of the award winning book by Mark Haddon, called the ‘Curious incident of the dog in the night-time’. That has always been one of my favourite books, because of how cleverly it was written. This book shares a lot in common due to its subtle descriptions of events unfolding around him that he does not fully understand. Because the main character is a small boy, he has no idea of the complexities of the issues affecting his parents, and his friends. Therefore, he attempts to understand them as best he can.
It’s a really warm book which is a pleasure to read. I only read a couple of chapters every night, because I was savouring it, enjoying the literary style, the lingo, and the Irish Dublin culture, which it is steeped in.
For me this is a five star book, which makes me want to read other books from this author’s catalogue.
June 12, 2015
After reaching the end of Little Big Boy I sat for a while, stunned into introspection, reflecting on the quiet power of the narrative, feeling the deep emotions stirred by the moving final passages. There is not one scrap of sentimentality in this novel, and yet it bleeds a sometimes painful intimacy all the way through. This is partly an effect of the first person narrative – a risky venture for an author as the ‘voice’ must be consistently authentic. This was beautifully achieved by Max Power, and the book reads like a genuine autobiography, enriched by the wisdom of a detached adult observer. We are given facts, and we are not asked to feel emotions about them, simply to bear witness to them. We are shown the typical life of a boy in 1970’s Dublin, from the age of five to eight. We travel though these formative years alongside him, aware of his reactions and confusions, his sadness and his sense of fun. Like all children, he doesn’t question the status quo too much. Things are just as they are, and if he needs to hide to avoid the sounds and sights he cannot bear sometimes, then that is simply how it is. The poignancy of this innocence, with its lack of blame or resentment, is what I found most touching. This is a raw childhood blessed with two things – a loving mother and a trusting open heart. Little Big Boy is a child I wanted to hold close to me and keep safe, all the way through. The resolution, when finally it came, brought a particular kind of peace. Once again, as in his previous novels, Max Power has the ability to shock and profoundly touch with the same skilful brushstrokes. Having read and greatly enjoyed his gift for story telling in both Darkly Wood and Bad Blood, I feel he has taken his writing to another level with Little Big Boy. I have great respect for him as a writer and look forward to reading more of his work.
April 26, 2016
Opening this book is take a step almost fifty years into the past. Extended families lived almost in each other’s pockets, and yet pride prevented Little Big Boy’s Mammy asking for help she desperately needed. She is a marvellously-drawn character but the father of the family could have been the typical drunk and he’s not; he’s a study of a man that has faults that show in drunkenness, violence and abuse, but he’s real.
So, the parents are good: Little Big Boy jumps of the page to tell his story. Bullied at school, he learns the hard way that only the strong, or those prepared to fight and appear strong, survive. Max Power digs deep into a fanatical style of Catholicism that has boys of six afraid for their immortal souls, and adds the physical fear of abuse that is worse than any of the many beatings the Brothers at school dole out with a leather strap. This isn’t a relaxing book to read but it’s impossible to stop until you reach the end.
April 24, 2020
Absolutely heart-breaking but warm and funny at times. Will be looking out for more from Max Power [Rating: 4.5*]
September 25, 2015
I began to realize the implications of this story with Max Power's use of foreshadowing. He hooked me with the quick pace right from the start. The story that reads like a memoir pulled me in from the beginning as Little Big Boy forgot his baby sister Lo-Lo in the supermarket. I practically bit my nails down to the skin at the thought of what would happen to her. Even though set in a safer time (1970 Dublin, Ireland), I still imagined horrible things.
With Little Big Boy's ever-expanding relationship with his Mam, he managed to tell the story with tenderness and without a bitter tear coming through his little-big eyes. Much attention should be given to the author's approach of love and warmth filtered through the goodness of Little Big Boy's Mam and him wanting to please her--the one person he loved more than anybody else.
Despite an alcoholic father, and his circumstances both at school and in surrounding neighborhoods, the excellent writing of Max Power did not subject me, the reader, with too much to handle too soon. Even with this little boy's tummy empty many times, and the page-turning darkness always looming, the emotional writing style told from Little Big Boy's perspective alleviates much of the heaviness of his survival. His longing to fit in without compromising his Mam-instilled honor, even in the intensity of so much anguish, there are small mercies of kindness interspersed. Plus, there are many delightful details as Little Big Boy goes deep into his imagination-filled make believe worlds.
The author, Max Power sandwiches even the worst of circumstances between innocence and joy with quite a few tears of sadness for the secret sauce. Little Big Boy's perceptive self is big enough to see acts of kindness that mellowed out the harsh truths. These acts of humanity soften the appalling developments, and Little Big Boy's determination alone allows him to celebrate in the end with his soul unharmed.
A couple of scenes reminded me of the best-selling memoir, Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt and another wonderful memoir, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. Both books are about children growing up poor with alcoholic fathers. Like Angela's Ashes, Little Big Boy brought the flavor of Dublin to life. But Little Big Boy's mother figure and their relationship together grabbed into the heart of this mother. With that comparison, as a mother of two boys, I'd have to say Little Big Boy struck a greater chord with me. That difference in mother love labels this book as one of my all-time favorites.
With Little Big Boy's ever-expanding relationship with his Mam, he managed to tell the story with tenderness and without a bitter tear coming through his little-big eyes. Much attention should be given to the author's approach of love and warmth filtered through the goodness of Little Big Boy's Mam and him wanting to please her--the one person he loved more than anybody else.
Despite an alcoholic father, and his circumstances both at school and in surrounding neighborhoods, the excellent writing of Max Power did not subject me, the reader, with too much to handle too soon. Even with this little boy's tummy empty many times, and the page-turning darkness always looming, the emotional writing style told from Little Big Boy's perspective alleviates much of the heaviness of his survival. His longing to fit in without compromising his Mam-instilled honor, even in the intensity of so much anguish, there are small mercies of kindness interspersed. Plus, there are many delightful details as Little Big Boy goes deep into his imagination-filled make believe worlds.
The author, Max Power sandwiches even the worst of circumstances between innocence and joy with quite a few tears of sadness for the secret sauce. Little Big Boy's perceptive self is big enough to see acts of kindness that mellowed out the harsh truths. These acts of humanity soften the appalling developments, and Little Big Boy's determination alone allows him to celebrate in the end with his soul unharmed.
A couple of scenes reminded me of the best-selling memoir, Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt and another wonderful memoir, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. Both books are about children growing up poor with alcoholic fathers. Like Angela's Ashes, Little Big Boy brought the flavor of Dublin to life. But Little Big Boy's mother figure and their relationship together grabbed into the heart of this mother. With that comparison, as a mother of two boys, I'd have to say Little Big Boy struck a greater chord with me. That difference in mother love labels this book as one of my all-time favorites.
August 4, 2015
I have read three other very different books by this author, and it is only that experience that gave me the confidence to tackle this story. Max Power is one of the finest storytellers I’ve read in recent years and he has an unfailing ability to draw his readers into his artificial worlds, where he then ensures that those readers become well-acquainted with his wonderful characters. Up to that point, this tale is no different.
In this story, the author writes a compelling history of a young boy’s formative years. There are difficulties to overcome when a male writer tries to produce work from a female perspective, and likewise it is not easy for a female writer to establish the point of view of a male protagonist. Here, the author has in my opinion excelled himself, with his ability to produce this yarn – from the point of view of a child.
The reader is privileged to accompany the young character as he deals with the arrival of a newborn sibling. Issues with losing his place as the ‘most-loved’ are left to fall by the wayside. Our miniature lead character learns about sorrow and joy, love and hate, fear and courage. Although too young to understand the details or the implications, he is witness to abuse of power, and injustice at various times as he goes through his early school years.
Perhaps the main reason that this story touched me so deeply is that throughout, I felt an almost equal measure of empathy and sympathy. The character goes through his trials in 1970’s Dublin, whereas my own very similar experiences took place in 1950’s Glasgow.
You might think that you couldn’t read a story about a growing boy. Think again, and then treat yourself to a tale that will make you laugh, but also bring tears to your eyes. There is one ingredient which is common to all of Max Power’s writing – entertainment. Here we have in my opinion, an author who is still serving his apprenticeship, but is already producing some remarkable reading material. Kudos, Max Power.
In this story, the author writes a compelling history of a young boy’s formative years. There are difficulties to overcome when a male writer tries to produce work from a female perspective, and likewise it is not easy for a female writer to establish the point of view of a male protagonist. Here, the author has in my opinion excelled himself, with his ability to produce this yarn – from the point of view of a child.
The reader is privileged to accompany the young character as he deals with the arrival of a newborn sibling. Issues with losing his place as the ‘most-loved’ are left to fall by the wayside. Our miniature lead character learns about sorrow and joy, love and hate, fear and courage. Although too young to understand the details or the implications, he is witness to abuse of power, and injustice at various times as he goes through his early school years.
Perhaps the main reason that this story touched me so deeply is that throughout, I felt an almost equal measure of empathy and sympathy. The character goes through his trials in 1970’s Dublin, whereas my own very similar experiences took place in 1950’s Glasgow.
You might think that you couldn’t read a story about a growing boy. Think again, and then treat yourself to a tale that will make you laugh, but also bring tears to your eyes. There is one ingredient which is common to all of Max Power’s writing – entertainment. Here we have in my opinion, an author who is still serving his apprenticeship, but is already producing some remarkable reading material. Kudos, Max Power.
August 31, 2015
I have literally just finished this harrowing, heartbreaking tale of a young boy growing up in the poor parts of Ireland. Tears literally flowed as I felt his story, his strength at times and a feigned bravery and broken innocence through a father's drunken abuse, school yard bullying and worse, school fathers taking innocence and perverse liberties in a way you never ever want any child to understand. Ultimately what is lovely is that no matter what this young boy never loses his love for humanity.
The author does this so well, and whilst it is written with complete emotion it can be incredibly difficult to read at times... although it is well worth the five stars!
The author does this so well, and whilst it is written with complete emotion it can be incredibly difficult to read at times... although it is well worth the five stars!
September 25, 2017
I have read other works by this author so knew this tale would be worth reading, however, it is completely different from Darkly Wood...and certainly more disturbing.
It tells the story of a small boy whose life is plagued by poverty, fear and violence in 1970s Dublin. This is not the first time I have read about the climate of fear, guilt and violence that surrounds the Irish, where religion rules and the people suffer. It is also not surprising to read about hypocrisy, perversion and cruelties...shudder.
This is a well-written, first-person narrative, which allows the reader a close look into just how bad life can be for some.
An emotional but recommended read, one not for the faint of heart.
Highly recommended.
It tells the story of a small boy whose life is plagued by poverty, fear and violence in 1970s Dublin. This is not the first time I have read about the climate of fear, guilt and violence that surrounds the Irish, where religion rules and the people suffer. It is also not surprising to read about hypocrisy, perversion and cruelties...shudder.
This is a well-written, first-person narrative, which allows the reader a close look into just how bad life can be for some.
An emotional but recommended read, one not for the faint of heart.
Highly recommended.
January 23, 2018
Set in 1970 Dublin Little Big Boy is a heart wrenching tale following the story of a child forced to face things even the most mature adult would struggle with. It's about the loss of childhood, the horrors of the world, but also some of its joy. It's an emotional journey filled with areas of darkness and light. I would challenge anyone not to be moved by this. There are parts that will break your heart, and others that leave you smiling.
April 28, 2018
An unforgettable story, told through the eyes of a little boy who faces big challenges at home and at school. It's beautifully told, at once poignant and intense, and is so believable in its telling that one could be forgiven for thinking it was based on a true story. Sadly, perhaps it is.
November 30, 2018
This novel is everything the 5-star reviewers have said. I was pulled into Little Big Boy’s world, felt his pain, sorrow, joy, wonder, and discovery. His story is poignant, engaging, touching, and tender. The author has keen insight into the frailties and strengths of human character. Beware: you may feel tumultuous emotions while reading this little boy’s story. At times I was angry, moved, despairing, filled with love and joy. Ultimately, this story is uplifting and will give you faith in the strength of love and human endurance.
October 1, 2015
I highly recommend this very clever book.
The book is narrated throughout by an eight year old Irish boy growing up in Dublin in the 1970s. Through his eyes the reader shares his experiences of love and friendship but also brutality and neglect as he finds his own place within his family and the local school.
The author either has an incredibly good memory or maybe has had recent contact with a child of the correct age as he captures the fears, hopes and thought processes of a child perfectly. At times this makes for an indulgent nostalgic read and several times I was thrown back in time to my own childhood days but where this technique really worked was where the boy was confused by what he was seeing or over-hearing and would make connections and assumptions on his own limited understanding of the world. At times this is humorous, such as when on playground clearing-up duties his friend discovers an empty condom packet and turns his find into a money making scheme. There are other times as an adult reader you understand the full horror of what the boy is witnessing and fear for his future.
The book captures the contradictions of love and violence in the boy’s home and the sheer terror inflicted by the Catholic priests at school perfectly.
For me personally what raised this book from an enjoyable read to a very powerful thought provoking read was the last few chapters.
The book is narrated throughout by an eight year old Irish boy growing up in Dublin in the 1970s. Through his eyes the reader shares his experiences of love and friendship but also brutality and neglect as he finds his own place within his family and the local school.
The author either has an incredibly good memory or maybe has had recent contact with a child of the correct age as he captures the fears, hopes and thought processes of a child perfectly. At times this makes for an indulgent nostalgic read and several times I was thrown back in time to my own childhood days but where this technique really worked was where the boy was confused by what he was seeing or over-hearing and would make connections and assumptions on his own limited understanding of the world. At times this is humorous, such as when on playground clearing-up duties his friend discovers an empty condom packet and turns his find into a money making scheme. There are other times as an adult reader you understand the full horror of what the boy is witnessing and fear for his future.
The book captures the contradictions of love and violence in the boy’s home and the sheer terror inflicted by the Catholic priests at school perfectly.
For me personally what raised this book from an enjoyable read to a very powerful thought provoking read was the last few chapters.
October 14, 2015
This is an incredibly moving story told through the eyes of a small boy in Ireland. He grows up much faster than a regular boy would due to adversity, some at school, but some in his own home. He is displaced by the arrival of his sister as the baby of the family and loses his mother's shielding as he is not the youngest anymore. His father is a drunkard with a nasty temper who frequently spends the housekeeping money in the pub, leaving his family to survive on things like sugar sandwiches. Unsurprisingly, the boy is small and yet to survive in the playground he must stand up to bigger boys with nothing but raw courage, something that earns him friends.
School is not the safe place it should be with the Christian Brothers using corporal punishment for the most minor of offenses. Aside from that, one brother in particular is a person the boys fear and try to avoid. All of this leads to the rapid maturity of the little boy, who learns things he sometimes doesn't understand and yet knows are bad.
Life and death are so much part of the story with children expected to kiss deceased relatives in their caskets. It is through the passing of kin that he finds a special ability that is handed down through the generations but even that can't help entirely with the hardest challenge of all.
This story made me cry on occassions, so involved was I with the characters. It reminded me a tad of Angela's Ashes, which I also enjoyed enormously. Great read!
School is not the safe place it should be with the Christian Brothers using corporal punishment for the most minor of offenses. Aside from that, one brother in particular is a person the boys fear and try to avoid. All of this leads to the rapid maturity of the little boy, who learns things he sometimes doesn't understand and yet knows are bad.
Life and death are so much part of the story with children expected to kiss deceased relatives in their caskets. It is through the passing of kin that he finds a special ability that is handed down through the generations but even that can't help entirely with the hardest challenge of all.
This story made me cry on occassions, so involved was I with the characters. It reminded me a tad of Angela's Ashes, which I also enjoyed enormously. Great read!
July 23, 2016
Absolutely brilliant
Max Power proves the power of show don't tell in this heart wrenching and beautifully written tale. While the plot is more slice of life style (following the protagonist throughout his every day life) what makes this a compelling tale is the character development; in fact, that is the entire tale, the trials and tribulations of a little boy becoming big boy. The reason it is such a success (and in my opinion a must read) is the attention to detail; all the characters, not just the protagonist are complex and well thought out. Timothy, Bubbles, and the father help create a dynamic landscape for the boy to navigate.
1970s Dublin proves to be a difficult maze to search for your identity and our protagonist is put to the test on more than one occasion. Every chapter presents a new obstacle. It was a beautiful and sad arc; in the beginning all he wanted was to be big, but by the end he had lost his innocence and wanted nothing more than to be his mother's baby again.
If character driven stories catch your fancy, this is a must read.
Max Power proves the power of show don't tell in this heart wrenching and beautifully written tale. While the plot is more slice of life style (following the protagonist throughout his every day life) what makes this a compelling tale is the character development; in fact, that is the entire tale, the trials and tribulations of a little boy becoming big boy. The reason it is such a success (and in my opinion a must read) is the attention to detail; all the characters, not just the protagonist are complex and well thought out. Timothy, Bubbles, and the father help create a dynamic landscape for the boy to navigate.
1970s Dublin proves to be a difficult maze to search for your identity and our protagonist is put to the test on more than one occasion. Every chapter presents a new obstacle. It was a beautiful and sad arc; in the beginning all he wanted was to be big, but by the end he had lost his innocence and wanted nothing more than to be his mother's baby again.
If character driven stories catch your fancy, this is a must read.
May 17, 2016
This is the story about a little boy growing up in an environment you wouldn't wish on anyone. It is told from the point of view of a man looking back on his childhood and though it reads as a true story, I don't believe it is. Little Big Boy plays on the emotions and is well written. As the book went on, I expected to be disappointed by threads not coming together at the end. I wasn't. The author did a great job with the ending, pulling everything together so it all made sense.
I have a couple of small issues with this book though. The first was that we never found out the boy's name. I found this annoying and it stopped me from fully engaging with the boy. The second was the amount of foreshadowing at the end of almost every chapter. The foreshadowing was about events much further though the story and it was frustrating to have to hear that bad things were coming at the end of every chapter.
All in all thought, it was a great read. Recommended.
I have a couple of small issues with this book though. The first was that we never found out the boy's name. I found this annoying and it stopped me from fully engaging with the boy. The second was the amount of foreshadowing at the end of almost every chapter. The foreshadowing was about events much further though the story and it was frustrating to have to hear that bad things were coming at the end of every chapter.
All in all thought, it was a great read. Recommended.
January 11, 2016
“Little Big Boy” is an incredibly touching story of a little five year old boy in Dublin, who has to grow up faster than he should and deal with the situations that no child should by no means deal with. I admired the way the little boy faced everything that life has thrown his way: a birth of his little sister, and abusive father, the neglect and even hunger. But all the while keeping his heart full of love for his mother, who was trying her best to shelter him from all this, and his little baby sister. The emotions of the boy, described in a simple, natural way, moved me to the core, and I couldn’t help but root for this little ‘man,’ who met all the challenges with stoicism and dignity that very few children – and even some adults – would be able to. An extremely touching, sincere, kind and inspiring story!
December 7, 2015
It is a real skill for a writer to be able to tell a story through the eyes of a child. Max Power does this par excellence in Little Big Boy. The reader lives with the child through the cruelties of other children, the terror of an alcoholic parent, the exploitation of children by teachers in a closed community. Anyone of a certain age, who experienced a strict Catholic upbringing will identify with the religious fear instilled in young minds and how that fear permeates every aspect of life. The themes are repeated in different chapters but each time we gain more insight into their effects on little big boy and all those with whom he comes into contact. This book is harrowing but at the same time uplifting. If you do nothing else today, start reading this book.
February 26, 2016
Wonderful read of a young boy's childhood told so convincingly it had me convinced it was autobiographical. I heard many stories of the Christian Brothers and their harsh methods of teaching but this book brought it more fully to life. Thank heavens the Irish school system has progressed from those awful, hellish days. After finishing the book with tears in my eyes I wonder how children from that era have survived into adulthood and what emotional scars they must have carried with them into their adult years.
January 29, 2016
A great read.
An exquisitely written story which has the power to pick the reader up and draw them in as if we were watching the little big boy growing up.
The book is class from the excellent cover design and from the first to the last page. Here is a masterpiece of writing.
I love anything with an autobiographical feel to it, that shows me a time and place in an interesting and believable way, while sharing the values of love and human resilience.
An exquisitely written story which has the power to pick the reader up and draw them in as if we were watching the little big boy growing up.
The book is class from the excellent cover design and from the first to the last page. Here is a masterpiece of writing.
I love anything with an autobiographical feel to it, that shows me a time and place in an interesting and believable way, while sharing the values of love and human resilience.
February 19, 2016
Held me to the end, unexpected ending.
Told from the heart - a sensitive author who remembers how a child thinks, understands the wrongs done too many times to children, and the love of a child for his mother. Thought provoking for those who know the reality of childhood confusion, corporal punishment, mis beliefs, abuse, & unhealthy religious teaching - as long as that person is healed enough to revisit this. Well written.
Told from the heart - a sensitive author who remembers how a child thinks, understands the wrongs done too many times to children, and the love of a child for his mother. Thought provoking for those who know the reality of childhood confusion, corporal punishment, mis beliefs, abuse, & unhealthy religious teaching - as long as that person is healed enough to revisit this. Well written.
May 15, 2016
A touching story told in first person, such is the strength of the story telling you can't help but feel the story has some truth behind it. I grew up in the seventies as a teenager and nothing like this happened to me, but I can remember those days and the book somehow resonated with me. Beautiful, rich and a little bit haunting
May 16, 2016
Touching story of a boy growing up in Dublin who has to deal with mature subject matter like substance abuse, pedophilia, and physical abuse, at an early age. The only component to counter the evil around "little big boy", is his mother's love. Frightening, Haunting, but still touching at times, "Little big boy" is a very satisfying, very quick read
November 12, 2016
Two years ago I read a book that was to become my favourite book of 2014. That book was Darkly Wood by Max Power. Its mix of dark fairytale, myths and legends, stories within stories, along with an amazing narrative meant that I was thinking about it long after I had finished it, and I still think about it.
Perhaps that’s why I took so long to read another Max Power title. What if it didn’t live up to Darkly Wood? What if it didn’t live up to my expectations?
But enough of the what ifs. They are not relevant and certainly not helpful.
Little Big Boy is a personal, heartfelt account of a young boy growing up in Ireland. I admit I was a little reticent to read it, as another personal account by Frank McCourt, Angela’s Ashes was on such a level that similarities between the two would have been unfair, but it’s not totally unavoidable either.
Through a first person narrative we see the Little Big Boy of the title go through various growing pains. We see his brother Eamonn doing various rounds with his brutish father. His mother is no wilting wallflower but it’s obvious she is far down the list of priorities of her husband. But I come from an Irish Catholic family, even though I am English born. I actually love and embrace my Irish heritage, whereas my other siblings, especially my brother was less endeared to Ireland. It irritated me a lot that they would act this way, but I am sure many Irish / English Catholic families have similar issues.
Little Big Boy has a lot of scenes where the boy is getting into fights a lot, especially at school. For me, this was more interesting than the home life stuff, because I too would fight with other boys and befriend (kind of) some of them later. Of course there were many occasions where a truce was never made and yet I look back now and think it was character building. One has to take a positive angle on things, even something as serious as bullying, because the alternative (killing yourself) is too horrid to think about.
I loved the scenes that included the gaelic language. It is beautiful to listen to, but on the page you can only guess at what it means, but the author never leaves us in doubt about that.
Perhaps my favourite example of this was how a boy wanting to go to the toilet had to ask permission in the precise gaelic terminology, otherwise they would not be allowed to go. Now I like languages but will admit I am lazy at learning them…conversational Chinese and a working French is what I am best at, along with a very basic knowledge of Italian and French. My mother would sometimes use a gaelic term but not very often. But I saw some similarities with my own upbringing and the main characters, though I had ‘teachers’ at school, not Brothers or Nuns (my mum was taught by nuns, though she had a choice gaelic word for them).
Midway through the story, it takes a rather sinister turn. If you read it, you will know what I am on about. But it links masterfully with the last third of the book. It’s here that Little Big Boy truly strikes gold. The short chapters allow you to make progress through the book quickly without losing the plot. It’s like some of the chapters are stories all on their own, such as the time the boy is out with his father (who is in the pub) and he has to stay by the car until he comes back. I could relate to that – my own father stayed out until 3 or 4am most nights, and made up stories to my mum about where he had been. But she knew, of course she knew.
The author never flinches from hard details, but he laces the story with light to laugh out loud humour.
So my recommendation is that you should definitely read this story if you like a story that jumps out at you on every page. It’s not fair to compare it to Darkly Wood as it is a very different story. However, it just shows the author’s talent, breadth and depth of writing ability, and bravery in committing such a tough upbringing to the page for us avid readers to consume.
It’s another winner from Max Power.
Perhaps that’s why I took so long to read another Max Power title. What if it didn’t live up to Darkly Wood? What if it didn’t live up to my expectations?
But enough of the what ifs. They are not relevant and certainly not helpful.
Little Big Boy is a personal, heartfelt account of a young boy growing up in Ireland. I admit I was a little reticent to read it, as another personal account by Frank McCourt, Angela’s Ashes was on such a level that similarities between the two would have been unfair, but it’s not totally unavoidable either.
Through a first person narrative we see the Little Big Boy of the title go through various growing pains. We see his brother Eamonn doing various rounds with his brutish father. His mother is no wilting wallflower but it’s obvious she is far down the list of priorities of her husband. But I come from an Irish Catholic family, even though I am English born. I actually love and embrace my Irish heritage, whereas my other siblings, especially my brother was less endeared to Ireland. It irritated me a lot that they would act this way, but I am sure many Irish / English Catholic families have similar issues.
Little Big Boy has a lot of scenes where the boy is getting into fights a lot, especially at school. For me, this was more interesting than the home life stuff, because I too would fight with other boys and befriend (kind of) some of them later. Of course there were many occasions where a truce was never made and yet I look back now and think it was character building. One has to take a positive angle on things, even something as serious as bullying, because the alternative (killing yourself) is too horrid to think about.
I loved the scenes that included the gaelic language. It is beautiful to listen to, but on the page you can only guess at what it means, but the author never leaves us in doubt about that.
Perhaps my favourite example of this was how a boy wanting to go to the toilet had to ask permission in the precise gaelic terminology, otherwise they would not be allowed to go. Now I like languages but will admit I am lazy at learning them…conversational Chinese and a working French is what I am best at, along with a very basic knowledge of Italian and French. My mother would sometimes use a gaelic term but not very often. But I saw some similarities with my own upbringing and the main characters, though I had ‘teachers’ at school, not Brothers or Nuns (my mum was taught by nuns, though she had a choice gaelic word for them).
Midway through the story, it takes a rather sinister turn. If you read it, you will know what I am on about. But it links masterfully with the last third of the book. It’s here that Little Big Boy truly strikes gold. The short chapters allow you to make progress through the book quickly without losing the plot. It’s like some of the chapters are stories all on their own, such as the time the boy is out with his father (who is in the pub) and he has to stay by the car until he comes back. I could relate to that – my own father stayed out until 3 or 4am most nights, and made up stories to my mum about where he had been. But she knew, of course she knew.
The author never flinches from hard details, but he laces the story with light to laugh out loud humour.
So my recommendation is that you should definitely read this story if you like a story that jumps out at you on every page. It’s not fair to compare it to Darkly Wood as it is a very different story. However, it just shows the author’s talent, breadth and depth of writing ability, and bravery in committing such a tough upbringing to the page for us avid readers to consume.
It’s another winner from Max Power.
May 21, 2020
A worthy read. I was honestly torn between a 3 and 4 rating. Max Power, who's been graciously giving away his books during the lockdown, delivers a heartfelt story of an Irish boy growing up poor in the late '60s and early '70s. On the one hand, the writing is a little uneven; and feels at times as though it could have used one more polish before publishing. It's also rather episodic; I felt till near the end as though there was no overall story arc. On the other hand, Power very effectively took me to a milieu I knew little about (despite my Irish heritage). But perhaps most importantly, in the end he finally draws these elements together for a heartrending conclusion. So call that a 3 1/2, and give it a read.
July 24, 2019
Such a sad, bittersweet story of the life of a little big boy. Life begins to change for him when his sister is born and he's no longer the baby. He reflects on his life that once he smiled all the time. Then as he grew older in the world that was dangerous for little boys, he no longer smiled. Although fiction, it reads like a true story. It's funny at times, but has many moments that make you want to take the boy away from his situation. Abusive teachers at the Catholic school. A drunk and violent father. His one bright spot in his life was his Mam. A touching story that will make you weep for all the little big boys out there who still go through all this pain.
May 13, 2018
Poignant and gripping, Little Big Boy is one of those stories that sticks with you long after the last page is read. It gives a fascinating glimpse into the lives of a working class family in 1970's Dublin, but the main character--Little Big Boy--will steal your heart. Fierce yet vulnerable, he navigates his way through the danger all around him, at home, at school, and on the streets. Only at the end do we see Little Big Boy might not be as invincible as he seems. I highly recommend this book, but have the tissues handy!
May 29, 2017
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WRP0J8E
MY review of Little Big Boy by Max Power
A touching, honest, and insightful look into childhood in Ireland. Parts of it are dark as we follow a young boy’s struggle against an abusive father, bullying, and the perversions of those who are expected to care for his immortal soul. Parts of it are lit with an inner beauty, the boy’s love for his mother, in particular, and are written from the heart. A joy to read.
MY review of Little Big Boy by Max Power
A touching, honest, and insightful look into childhood in Ireland. Parts of it are dark as we follow a young boy’s struggle against an abusive father, bullying, and the perversions of those who are expected to care for his immortal soul. Parts of it are lit with an inner beauty, the boy’s love for his mother, in particular, and are written from the heart. A joy to read.
July 21, 2020
This is a story about a little boy's first love, his mother. It is not autobiographical, but is so powerful readers might assume it was, with its vivid evocation of early childhood. It is more than that, a story of families, of Ireland in the early nineteen seventies. There are many things that are dark inside and outside the home, that will make you angry, but the tale also bursts with life, of young boys exploring and having adventures with their friends.
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