Hughie Mittman's Fear of Lawnmowers

by Conor Bowman

Sometimes it can be hard to find a new beginning in the middle of so many endings...

Hughie Mittman is in search of forgiveness.

He has just lost his mother and believes it is all his fault.

And, with his father more distant than ever, how can Hughie make things right?

As he does his best to navigate this unfamiliar version of his life, and overcome his fears - of loss, of change, of lawnmowers - he ignores the questions he really wants answered. Was his father telling the truth when he said Hughie was adopted? And will he really never get to see his mother again?

Hughie Mittman's Fear of Lawnmowers is a heart-breaking but uplifting story about grief, the end of childhood, the power of friendship and the acceptance that although there are things we cannot change, the future can still be bright.

Genres: Fiction

336 pages, Paperback

Published April 7, 2020

Reviews

[Dale Harcombe · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a child Hughie loses two of his toes after he is run over by a mower. After his operation in hospital, where his father is a surgeon, Hughie meets Nyxi Kirwan and they become friends. Even so, Hughie Mittman is finding life hard. Just after he finds out by accident that he is adopted, his father is adamant he is to be sent off to boarding school when Hughie is twelve. Hughie hates being apart from his mother as they enjoy listening to Elvis and baking soda bread and generally doing things together. But then the situation gets even worse for Hughie when his mother dies. Meanwhile he doesn’t fit in at boarding school. It seems there is nowhere he feels he belongs, except with his friend Nyxi. But even she has trouble accepting some of the things he comes up with after his mother’s death.
Poor Hughie. This is a sad story as he tries to come to term with the death of his mother and his feelings that he is responsible. Plenty of changes occur and the one constant is the friendship of Nyxi but when she has trouble accepting some of the things he claims to see, Hughie is left bereft.
This story started out interesting enough and my sympathy certainly resided with Hughie, who had more than a few issues to deal with. It was easy to understand his grief, anger and confusion. But as it went on and it started to get weirder with the things he saw and the otherworldliness of events I became les enthralled. Maybe it was a combination of having read another book prior to it that dealt with ghostly presences? Or maybe it was just that it seemed to labour a little once it got on this track. But in the end I found myself skimming and just wishing the author would get on with it.
I previously really enjoyed another book by this author, so this one left me a bit disappointed. I liked it. But thought it could have been wrapped up a lot earlier and I wasn’t a hundred percent convinced by the ending. It could also be that coming of age stories especially with supernatural influences are not really my thing. So if they are yours, maybe give it a go and see what you think.

[Karen ⊰✿ · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 1979 Hughie Mittman turns 13 and is trying to process the death of his mother, boarding school, a distant father and his only friend has moved far away.
This is a story about tragedy and how we cope, but it also had an unexpected magical realism element which is introduced quite late in the book and didn't really "fit". I feel like the book had lots of potential that it didn't quite deliver on. The relationship between Hugh and his father is terrible and quite realistic for the time ; and the relationship with his grandmother at least redeems the story from being awfully depressing. It just felt that there was something missing to bring the story together despite the writing being quite good and the characters realistic.
Perhaps best read by those who grew up in Ireland during the time period and would like to reminisce.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I didn't enjoy this book, I can't say that I disliked it, either. The story is a strong and interesting one and the writing is solid. There's just something missing for me that I can't put my finger on.

This unbiased review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.

[WeekendBookClub · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’ve purposely stopped every few chapters to try and work out on Earth was going on in this book. Having finished it I still could not tell you what the last 300-ish pages were about.

The premise was interesting and the title had me intrigued yet it felt like the author was trying to fit in a number of ideas and none of it really worked. There was no plotline and none of the ideas were fully explored. The characters fell flat and were barely one-dimensional.

I really should have realised what sort of book this was, when the spelling of one of the main characters names was incorrect in the blurb!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up.

I didn't read the reviews of this book until after I'd requested it from netgalley and then I was worried that it wouldn't be great. I kept dragging my feet and then finally sat down to read it today and I couldn't disagree more with the ratings.

This story is the story of a boy named Hughie who has some terrible tragedies all at once and then has to grow up in the shadow of all that loss. Yes, it's a coming of age story, but it's much more a story about grief, in my opinion. And some of the language in this book will stay with me for a long, long time.

I realised that sometimes you need the presence of other people to allow you to understand just how alone you are.

It didn't sound like my normal voice, but the sound did come from inside me somewhere. I knew I was crying, but I didn't know if the tears were falling outside of my body or inside. For all I could tell, they might have been cascading along the inside of my cheeks and spilling down into my heart.

...went back to the cocoon of my inner world, which, I was beginning to believe, was the only place where I would ever be able to survive.

'Sometimes there's something inside people that makes them believe they're not good enough. Not a good enough mother, not a good enough wife, not a good enough person even. There isn't always a cure for that, no matter how we try to help.'

I didn't know back then that people and places really only live and die in our hearts.....IT's a little like knowing that the people you love continue to live on inside you, even after they have gone.

I can go on and on. I loved Hughie's relationship with his friend Nyxi and with his grandmother. I even liked that the dad was so flawed though I would have liked that character a bit more developed since he is such a pivotal character.

There's so much good in this story. Touching, charming, sweet, sad, and it will stay with me for a long time.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in return for an honest review.

[Steffy · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I did not know back then that people and places really only live and die in our hearts. [..] It's a little like knowing that the people you love continue to live on inside you, even after they have gone."

A coming-of-age story about a boy, Hughie, reflecting on the beginning of his awkward teenage years and how he dealt with his mother's death and father's indifferences. The writing is somewhat funny and endearing. His thought processes and actions were comprehensible. At the age of 12 (narrating as a 15 year old), the storytelling really felt like it was a kid remembering a difficult phase in his life. Very convincing as Hughie even seems to be an odd character but likable nonetheless. He is awkward, weird, a sensible soul. His friendship with Nyxi was heartwarming. The questions and confusion was captured very well, once he finds out about his origins. He even conquered his fear of lawnmowers. I couldn't sense a real climax in the writing as the story unfolded, and wish if we were told more about his relationship with his father. Other than that, the depictions of Ireland were lovely. Overall a tender and humorous read.

*I received an advance digital copy of this book by Hachette Books Ireland via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

[Seema Rao · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started strong and then didn't quite keep up the momentum. In this book, a young man losses his mother and finds his father might not be his father. The poor kid is awkward only made worse by an injury (thanks to a lawnmower.) I love stories set in Ireland, and the Irish sense of humor. I wanted the writing to feel more, well, more anything. In this end, this was an okay coming of age story.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Seema Rao Write : Instagram| Blog| Twitter|

[Bin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I started reading this book without reading the description so I didn't know what to expect at all.
I just want to give Hughie a big, warm hug and tell him everything is going to be ok! The first part of the book was quirky, warm, and endearing. But I found my attention wandering off halfway through the story and skimmed through the rest just to get to the ending.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Startedoff really well, amd then just ran out of steam. The writing became laboured, the plot became ridiculous with all the premonitions, the characterisation unlikely(the friemdship would not have suddenly ended like that), and the naivety of a 13 year old became ridiculously unbelievable.

[Helene Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was first attracted to this book by its unusual title, but when I started reading it, I just got drawn in, because Hughie as a character is intriguing and his relationship with Nyxi I adored. The first two-thirds in particular was great and I couldn't put it down at some points.

Hughie lost a couple of toes on his foot when he was run over by a lawnmower aged 7 and this starts a series of events that lead to Hughie dealing with grief, friendship, love, school, and discovering who he is. This time of growing up and discovering more about yourself and about the world can be confusing for children aged 7-13, probably the time when you discover most about yourself and about other people.

The book did seem to become a bit bogged down when Hughie started to see his dead mother and I didn't really understand why that was needed. I didn't feel like it really added anything to the story and in fact made the story seem less real, where up to that point it had felt very real, and I was easily able to sympathise with Hughie. The ending disappointed me a little as I felt that there were things left unsaid and unsolved mysteries.

The description of Ireland and the places that Hughie and Nyxi visited was beautiful and you could almost picture the almost desolate landscape, but beautiful at the same time. The descriptions were some of the best things about this book. They didn't go overboard or take too long, but a lot was said in just a few words.

I'd be intrigued to read Bowman's other book Horace Winter Says Goodbye and see how it compares.

[Rachel Glass · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as a free ARC from NetGalley and opinions are my own.

This book focuses on a period of intense trauma and upheaval in a young man's life in the 1970s, and on how it changes him.

Hughie Mittman himself is the star of this book. The development of his character and personality is well handled, and he is at once human and likeable. If his rationalising and circular thinking are at times confused or frustrating, this only reinforces the accuracy of this depiction of a twelve year old. Hughie's relationship with Nyxi is also very touching and sweet. On the other hand, his relationship with his dad is cleverly handled, finishing on a more ambivalent note than I was expecting.

For some reason I was expecting this book to be a bit more light hearted, despite its subject matter (it just goes to show you should literally never judge a book by its cover!!) but there were moments of humour.

I'm not sure how I felt about the supernatural element of this book, but I suppose it is intended to show Hughie's emotional and mental state. To begin with, I found the forensic detail about Galway a little distracting and unnecessary, but towards the end I began to feel that this book is in part a nostalgic love letter to the city.

Overall, I found myself rooting for Hughie, and enjoyed the development of his inner life as his dealt with a number of difficult events.

[Sadie-Rae Gartell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Although the story line was heavy and the character a little repetitive I felt that Conor Bowman really managed to convey grief in a fabulous way. I loved the relationship between Nixie and Hughie and the ending had me finishing the book with a tear in my eye. Even though the topic of this book was heavy I didn’t feel I was reading a heavy novel, if that makes sense? It was a refreshing read.

Ps love that Conor Bowman is left handed and hates coriander, I have never read a sentence I can relate to
More!

[Belinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really touching but strange book. The first 200 pages I really loved. The rest not so much. 77 percent is my score. If it hadn't suddenly had a magical realism element id have enjoyed it more. It just didn't fit and felt unnecessary since the story was strong enough without it. Still though, the writing was fine and I really felt for hughie. So if you aren't put off by talk of ghosts and premonitions, you'll love this book. For me? Not so much.

[Yo-miah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was so wholesome
Hughie is a child who loses his mother after a tragic incident with his foot.
The story grapples with the themes of loss, depression, guilt of a 12 year old, adoption and so much more
It was so beautiful. I am so surprised it was this good. I didn't expect it. Loved it

[Susan Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, I wasn't sure this was a book for me but the more I got into it the more I was hooked.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sweet story that throws a some good emotional punches.

[Leah Brindley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely story about a young boy and his journey through grief. However I felt like it lacked something it didn't seem to have a direction or a meaning.

[Deirdre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall enjoyable. Hughie is someone you want to love and protect. I found the shift to the supernatural "other" aspects in the book unexpected and at first I didn't like it but then enjoyed it.

[Dana Davis Sheridan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book captured my heart. I felt so many emotions while reading about Hughie's pure love for his mom, his life after losing her, and what he would do to try and help her. Highly recommend!

[Victoria Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very well wrote; I loved all the linking parts but it was just so sad and melancholy

[Michaela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this so sad.

How Hughie thought his mums suicide was his fault. His dad was a bit of an idiot too. Didn’t really help the situation. What a sad boy. I felt really sorry for him.

[Shawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've literally just finished reading this book as I write this, but I still don't know what it's about. The author had tried to tell so many different stories; it's about a boy overcoming his fears, it's about a boy coping with the loss of his mother, it's about a boy who suddenly gains the power to tell when others are in danger. Trouble is, this is all the same boy, and none of the threads are explored satisfactorily.

[George1st · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me this was something of a slow burner but as the story progressed I became more engrossed in this coming of age tale and was quite disappointed when it ended. Charming, quirky, moving, tender, humorous are some of the adjectives that can be attributed to a story that ultimately has an uplifting message that says things can improve and there is hope. The story is a first person account of one Hughie Mittman born in 1965 and living in Galway, a city on the west coast of Ireland. The fear of lawnmowers derives from a childhood accident which leaves Hugie's right foot with only three toes and necessitates a long stay in hospital where his father is a surgeon.

After overhearing a chance remark made by his father during an argument with his mother, Hughie begins to reassess his life which will soon take a dramatic turn for the worse when tragedy strikes. The relationship with his mother and how grief, confusion and guilt consume him during his formative teenage years is played against a background of a changing but still religiously conservative 1970's Ireland. The story is told from the perspective and thought process of someone who is something of an outsider, socially awkward and perhaps odd but with a underlying level of fidelity and goodness. Apart from his mother, two other relationships are explored here. Firstly there is the one with his father which is fractious and at times abusive and then there is his wonderfully poignant and heartwarming friendship with Nyxi who he first meets in the hospital.

Conor Bowman's powers of description are so good that the reader can easily visualise the sights encountered when the two children go around and explore Galway on their bicycles. This is essentially a tender and heartfelt story and if you are looking for dramatic climaxes and exciting plot lines then you will probably be disappointed but if you are looking for a slowly evolving emotionally engaging read then this could be for you.

[Pam Doyle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Book about a lad coming to terms with his mums suicide and his relationship with his dad. Touched on the spiritual but to no particular end. Also featured a boy-girl friendship that wasn’t particularly insightful or interesting. Transpires the lad had been adopted - his grandma searches for his birth mother, they go and see her and that’s that. This book felt like a lot of false starts and I struggled to finish it.

[Beverley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book - quirky characters, highly emotional and pulls on the heartstrings from start to finish. A very special read.

[Bonnye Reed]

Netgalley
pub date April 4, 2019
Hachette Books Ireland