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The God Boy
A CLASSIC NZ NOVEL ABOUT A BOY GROWING UP IN A SMALL TOWN.
181 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1957
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
April 19, 2012
Fantastic, brooding and insightful - if a little hard to follow at times. It's a true tragedy that this modern classic hasn't been read by more, or had the publicity it deserves.
March 13, 2018
Well, it’s been half a life since I read this, and hated it, in Year 10 English...and I can see why my 14 year old self hated it. The God Boy is complicated- much of what goes on is veiled by the misunderstanding of its 11 year old protagonist. As a young reader, much of its subtlety was lost on me. As an adult, it still didn’t wow me. The pacing is ineffective in that it’s inconsistent and not managed well at points of climax. On the other hand, there are some really complex ideas here, about growing up and losing innocence, adult relationships and adult problems, and actions taken which cannot be taken back. Am I glad I revisited this? I’m not sure...I think I GOT IT more, but I don’t know I enjoyed it any more.
July 10, 2016
Jimmy is thirteen and he is looking back at his eleven year old self and trying to come to terms with the domestic violence he experienced in his home. From his first consciousness that something wasn't right to acknowledging his need to hide his home life from others, and his fear that his parents' problems were somehow his fault, the reader is shown the affects of abuse on a child. While the content is disturbing and heart-breaking, the writing is compelling. It is spare and so evocative of the feelings of a young boy. While a story like this makes us uncomfortable, it has to be told. It is stories like this one that force society to acknowledge abuse and its affect on families, particularly children, and to hopefully be more aware and willing to help those who are experiencing abuse. Even though it was written in the 1950's, it still resonates today.
October 24, 2011
I like how the story is told from the perspective of an eleven year old boy. He doesn't see the situation exactly how the reader might perceive it, I was busy trying to decode his innocent understanding about what is actually going on. His world of warring parents eventually is destroyed when his mother, knocks her husband off.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2017
A rather complex novel, entailing the effects of family abuse, endless arguing between Jimmy's parents and the such, on essentially, Jimmy's entire life. Amazingly, the book is still relevant in today's society in New Zealand and across the world. The layers of depth in this story is simply perplexing. Excellent for a reading log, report or essay.
July 30, 2007
Just about the stupidest book I've ever been compelled to read. Those high-school English teachers sure have something to answer for here. Totally irrelevant to the life of an urban raised teenage girl.
May 24, 2015
Very good.The first New Zealand novel to be selected for Penguin Classics. A deeply moving story of a Catholic boy learning that simple faith is no protection from life's harsh realities. A masterpiece.
September 28, 2011
Gordon McLauchlan is quoted on the back of my Penguin edition and to me his quote says it all really: "... The God Boy stands up better than A Catcher in the Rye."
February 15, 2011
You couldn't pay me to read that again! Bloody school assignment giving us shit books!
Read
July 29, 2011Simply heartbreaking to see everything through the eyes of this 13-year-old boy who tries to work out the problems his parents have.
September 5, 2011
A very important New Zealand novel. Utterly New Zealand, yet with themes applicable to people and communities every where in the world. I need more book cases.
July 10, 2011
A nice easy read with a new perspective on the world of small town New Zealand
January 4, 2019
The book was sad!
October 17, 2016
loved! Brought me right back home to small town NZ.
September 13, 2021
Wish I'd read this instead of Catcher in the Rye
October 4, 2012
The God Boy: by Ian Cross Alexander Shoemaker
The God Boy is a short New Zealand published novel that takes place in the late 1950’s patriarchal society. This is one of those books that you’re forced to study in New Zealand as it’s considered a national literacy achievement, and like most things that are forced upon an individual it was not the read that critics hyped it up to be.
Personally I had trouble getting a connection with the characters as I am of a different time, mind set and social class. Do to me growing up in another environment it was hard to understand why Jimmy acted the way he did threw out the story although I could sympathize with him. It was a constant emotional decay throughout the story.
Jimmy grew up in a household that was emotionally and physically abusive. His parents were both in a continual quarrel of backstabbing and dispute. This created a barrier of communication for Jimmy as he could talk to his family in a normal manner. At the time the short novel was set (late 1950’s) children already had social barriers between parents and children as kids were meant to be seen and not heard and were considered to be no more than an extension of a parents reputation. Due to this blockade Jimmy could not express his feelings with his parents and started to seek emotional support from outside sources. Although every time Jimmy Sullivan would seek out friends and teachers they would brush him off with little regard to the severity of his situation. Whilst the abuse of his alcoholic father and his backstabbing mother increases, Jimmy has nowhere to turn and as a result of stress begins to inflict self harm to relieve and compensate his emotional pain. (This is why I believe many teenagers today get tattoos.) Jimmy’s behavior begins to transform in school form a normal happy child into a more recluse, overstressed, reckless and aggressive child. After an encounter with one of the nuns at his school, Sister Abigail says that Jimmy is a demon child. Jimmy begins to believe that perhaps all of his domestic problems are actually his own fault. Then he decides that he may really be processed and breaks out in a mental breakdown which results in a rampage through the streets of his small town. Jimmy breaks windows of shops, curses the elderly and even beats a mentally deficient man!
The God Boy is full of emotionally disturbing events that really leaves you feeling depressed and stressed. This really was the last thing I needed to accompany my already busy weekend. I would not recommend this short novel to people as they would most likely believe that I was one of those soul sucking recluses that enjoy the pain of others or had traumatic experiences of my own. But I understand that some people regard this type of literature as intriguing and deep so I will not say it was not an eye opener not only to signs of domestic insatiability but also as a guide to the structure of small town life New Zealand in the 1950’s.
The God Boy is a short New Zealand published novel that takes place in the late 1950’s patriarchal society. This is one of those books that you’re forced to study in New Zealand as it’s considered a national literacy achievement, and like most things that are forced upon an individual it was not the read that critics hyped it up to be.
Personally I had trouble getting a connection with the characters as I am of a different time, mind set and social class. Do to me growing up in another environment it was hard to understand why Jimmy acted the way he did threw out the story although I could sympathize with him. It was a constant emotional decay throughout the story.
Jimmy grew up in a household that was emotionally and physically abusive. His parents were both in a continual quarrel of backstabbing and dispute. This created a barrier of communication for Jimmy as he could talk to his family in a normal manner. At the time the short novel was set (late 1950’s) children already had social barriers between parents and children as kids were meant to be seen and not heard and were considered to be no more than an extension of a parents reputation. Due to this blockade Jimmy could not express his feelings with his parents and started to seek emotional support from outside sources. Although every time Jimmy Sullivan would seek out friends and teachers they would brush him off with little regard to the severity of his situation. Whilst the abuse of his alcoholic father and his backstabbing mother increases, Jimmy has nowhere to turn and as a result of stress begins to inflict self harm to relieve and compensate his emotional pain. (This is why I believe many teenagers today get tattoos.) Jimmy’s behavior begins to transform in school form a normal happy child into a more recluse, overstressed, reckless and aggressive child. After an encounter with one of the nuns at his school, Sister Abigail says that Jimmy is a demon child. Jimmy begins to believe that perhaps all of his domestic problems are actually his own fault. Then he decides that he may really be processed and breaks out in a mental breakdown which results in a rampage through the streets of his small town. Jimmy breaks windows of shops, curses the elderly and even beats a mentally deficient man!
The God Boy is full of emotionally disturbing events that really leaves you feeling depressed and stressed. This really was the last thing I needed to accompany my already busy weekend. I would not recommend this short novel to people as they would most likely believe that I was one of those soul sucking recluses that enjoy the pain of others or had traumatic experiences of my own. But I understand that some people regard this type of literature as intriguing and deep so I will not say it was not an eye opener not only to signs of domestic insatiability but also as a guide to the structure of small town life New Zealand in the 1950’s.
August 14, 2019
My second time reading this book. An amazing book: really grim, but so captivating. So New Zealand. Written from the perspective of a young boy: and so powerfully captures that perspective. And the lack of understanding of that boy of adult matters.
September 30, 2023
Having had a quick look at other reviews I am convinced that there is no greater disservice you can do to a great book than have it placed on a school curriculum, it may be thought of as a tribute and recognition but it is the kiss of death to a work of the imagination particularly if the novel is about children. Inevitably it becomes a YA book and once that happens your novel is lost.
Fortunately I didn't go to school in New Zealand so I have only read this exceptionally fine novel recently. I also had the good fortune not to go to school in the USA so never had 'Catcher in the Rye' inflicted on me either but I can assure you that there is absolutely no comparison between the two, despite what numerous reviewers say, least of all in literary quality. This is an immensely better book and one that shows up the tawdry limits of that American classic.
Far too many people see this as a novel about the loss of innocence - it is the typical response when an author tackles a child coping with and being deceived by adult lies and evasions - rather than look at what such novels are really about - a child's attempts at understanding and how they are hampered by adults lack of courage when they are challenged - they retreat into a nostalgia over 'innocence' which really is only another name for ignorance - and the ignorant are always in the power of those who know the truth. Novels like this are novels of power - or rather powerlessness - throughout this heart breaking novel Jimmy Sullivan recounts his attempts to understand and to seek help and guidance from adults all of whom, parents, teachers, priests, retreat into cliches of a what a child must mean rather then listen to him.
This novel is set in a small town in New Zealand in the 1950's so can it still be relevant? it is pre television for goodness sakes! I would say yes because the desire of adults to lie to themselves by lying to children hasn't changed. Adults decide that children can't cope, need to be protected - the fatuity of the evasions that adults tell themselves are limitless - what they can't face up to is the challenge of a child recognising the lies being told them - but they do of course - and understanding brings maturity but also bitterness, hurt and betrayal. Information, truth doesn't corrupt or damage children, lies do.
I would rank this novel with 'Lord of the Flies' in the honesty of its portrayal of children and their struggle to comprehend but most particularly I would compare it to a completely undeservedly forgotten but brilliant novel 'The Kryptonite Kid' by Joseph Torchia - another tragic tale of a child destroyed by adult lies and evasions.
I can not praise this novel too highly - ignore the negative reviews and seek out this incredibly powerful and beautiful novel for a reading experience that is one of the best you will have.
Fortunately I didn't go to school in New Zealand so I have only read this exceptionally fine novel recently. I also had the good fortune not to go to school in the USA so never had 'Catcher in the Rye' inflicted on me either but I can assure you that there is absolutely no comparison between the two, despite what numerous reviewers say, least of all in literary quality. This is an immensely better book and one that shows up the tawdry limits of that American classic.
Far too many people see this as a novel about the loss of innocence - it is the typical response when an author tackles a child coping with and being deceived by adult lies and evasions - rather than look at what such novels are really about - a child's attempts at understanding and how they are hampered by adults lack of courage when they are challenged - they retreat into a nostalgia over 'innocence' which really is only another name for ignorance - and the ignorant are always in the power of those who know the truth. Novels like this are novels of power - or rather powerlessness - throughout this heart breaking novel Jimmy Sullivan recounts his attempts to understand and to seek help and guidance from adults all of whom, parents, teachers, priests, retreat into cliches of a what a child must mean rather then listen to him.
This novel is set in a small town in New Zealand in the 1950's so can it still be relevant? it is pre television for goodness sakes! I would say yes because the desire of adults to lie to themselves by lying to children hasn't changed. Adults decide that children can't cope, need to be protected - the fatuity of the evasions that adults tell themselves are limitless - what they can't face up to is the challenge of a child recognising the lies being told them - but they do of course - and understanding brings maturity but also bitterness, hurt and betrayal. Information, truth doesn't corrupt or damage children, lies do.
I would rank this novel with 'Lord of the Flies' in the honesty of its portrayal of children and their struggle to comprehend but most particularly I would compare it to a completely undeservedly forgotten but brilliant novel 'The Kryptonite Kid' by Joseph Torchia - another tragic tale of a child destroyed by adult lies and evasions.
I can not praise this novel too highly - ignore the negative reviews and seek out this incredibly powerful and beautiful novel for a reading experience that is one of the best you will have.
March 17, 2021
At the age of thirteen, Jimmy looks back to when he was eleven years old, and the traumatic events that resulted in him being where he is today, his permanent home, a Catholic boarding school.
At the age of eleven Jimmy lives with his parents in the New Zealand town of Raggleton (perhaps based on Ian Cross' home town of Wanganui?). He is loved by both parents, but his mother and father constantly argue, a situation Jimmy considers as not unusual until he sees how the parents of his friend behave towards one another. Eventually the situation between his parents reaches a dramatic climax, and while at the time only partially aware of events this profoundly affects Jimmy causing to act very much out of character.
Jimmy looks back at events with the eye of the now more mature thirteen year old boy - although still clearly a youth from his expressions - trying to distance himself from events by protesting he does not care, while clearly he cares very much. Along the way he frequently reconsiders his relationship with God, often blaming him for what happens.
This is a captivating novel; Jimmy immediately wins one over which makes his trauma all the more affecting, a very rewarding read.
At the age of eleven Jimmy lives with his parents in the New Zealand town of Raggleton (perhaps based on Ian Cross' home town of Wanganui?). He is loved by both parents, but his mother and father constantly argue, a situation Jimmy considers as not unusual until he sees how the parents of his friend behave towards one another. Eventually the situation between his parents reaches a dramatic climax, and while at the time only partially aware of events this profoundly affects Jimmy causing to act very much out of character.
Jimmy looks back at events with the eye of the now more mature thirteen year old boy - although still clearly a youth from his expressions - trying to distance himself from events by protesting he does not care, while clearly he cares very much. Along the way he frequently reconsiders his relationship with God, often blaming him for what happens.
This is a captivating novel; Jimmy immediately wins one over which makes his trauma all the more affecting, a very rewarding read.
January 7, 2014
Oh.My.God. What a boring book. I read it thousands of times for my IGCSE but I never got the hang of it. I don't even remember what happens! All I know is that main character, Jimmy Sullivan,isolates from his parents arguing and bitterness by protection tricks such as puting his hands on burning water, his father was killed and her mother had an abortion. Also that his father was a drunk and Jimmy wanted a bike and his father gave it to him which made his mother as mad as a cow because they had little money. And has a problem with God due to his lifestyle. Also that there was someone called Bloody Jack.
Bam.
4/10.
Bam.
4/10.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2008
"...an enjoyable portrait of a family falling apart through a young boy’s eyes and for all his protests about how he doesn’t care there is emotion within that allow you to see past his objections."
Read my full review here.
Read my full review here.
May 18, 2016
I had to read this for my IGCSE exams. What a boring book! Surely they could have found another book with deep symbolism which was also entertaining. There are too many good books out there to waste your time on something so uninteresting.
May 17, 2018
A fantastic read from a great perspective. That of a young boy's observations of tragic, humorous, mundane and the nonsensical aspects of life leading to his inevitable reactions and attempts to cope with it all.
June 3, 2009
Sad story about an obscure boy who feels himself chosen; some insights into small-town life in New Zealand.
January 21, 2012
I had to read it at school. I didn't enjoy it.
Read
July 10, 2012Gripping but tragic.
December 28, 2012
Terrible to inflict this on teens at school
February 1, 2013
Year 11 - Novel
November 11, 2013
good completed in 2 days a great read although it can get confusing if you are not interested or don't pay attention 100% of the time as my friend found out..
Read
June 22, 201524 Copies Available
2014-2015:
G9 Set
2014-2015:
G9 Set
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews