Boy

by Brent van Staalduinen

A story as magical as it is real, that asks, if you could stop and restart time for a second chance, would you?

Boy’s final year of high school is unraveling. Fast. He had it all worked out, from crushing his final exams to military school to a career in the air force. But his family’s tragic past and its complicated present have caught up to him, and his marks are slipping, jeopardizing all of his plans.

When Boy befriends Mara, a homeless man who can seemingly stop and restart time at will, he has to weigh his family’s needs and his own conscience against the potential contained within Mara’s mysterious and powerful gift. And he soon realizes the hardest truths about time: the past can’t be undone, memories are as fragile as moments, and the future rarely turns out like we think it will.

“Exquisite … Boy is a perfectly compelling protagonist” — Miriam Toews, bestselling author of Women Talking

“Boy is evocative and heartfelt, containing a spark of magic and an achingly real protagonist.” — Ellen Keith, author of The Dutch Wife

Genres: Fiction, Paranormal, Young Adult, Canada, Contemporary, Literary Fiction

Audiobook

First published September 26, 2020

About the author

Brent van Staalduinen is the author of the novels UNTHINKABLE, NOTHING BUT LIFE, BOY, and SAINTS, UNEXPECTED, as well as the short story collection CUT ROAD. His award-winning short fiction can be found in notable publications on both sides of the Atlantic. Find out more at www.brentvans.com.

Reviews

[Bandit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I normally stay away from all things YA or even YA adjacent. In other words, books with 18 year old protagonists don’t normally appeal to me and yet something about this one did…ok, to be perfectly honest that something was the cover. Bikes on the cover always seem to do the trick. And also the promise of magic realism was kind of enticing. So the reason for this preface is to say I’m very glad this book had a bike on the cover, because otherwise I might not have checked it out and missed out on a surprisingly enjoyable read featuring an 18 year old protagonist. And so more about him…the eponymous boy named Boy (after Boy George) and still more optimal than a boy named Sue is having a tough year. It’s his last year of high school and academically his future is quite bright, he’s already been accepted to a prestigious academy to continue his military education and career, yet his personal life is unravelling. 10 years ago his father crashed a car while driving drunk and killed his sister and her best friend, now Charlie haunts Boy, his ever present companion, communication with whom often results in appearing as if he’s talking to himself. His mom shacked up with the father of the other girl killed in the car crash, both of them are semi functional alcoholics, stumbling through life and ending up with a baby neither of them wants or is able to properly care for and so the baby is now Boy’s responsibility. In fact, he might have a baby of his own somewhere, following his only unprotected sexual encounter with a girl he barely knows. And then there’s a mysterious shut in living in the woods, he appears to have the power to pause time. A lot to process for anyone, especially a kid, however smart, kind and well put together he might be. Nevertheless, Boy tries his best and we the readers get to follow his journey. A journey fraught with difficulties, but never hopeless, which is just nice for a change (there’s enough angsty 18 year olds out there) and nice for Boy. An enjoyable and engaging ride for which Boy’s charisma as a protagonist is almost entirely responsible. Although to be fair, the writing helps along very well. It’s a seemingly dense read, but actually flows quite nicely. It’s very quiet sort of story, despite the very tough themes it deals with, and it might take a minute to get into, you just have to let it draw you in. For some reason I expected a Scandinavian setting, probably because of the author’s name, silly, but it actually takes place in Canada. So kind of sort of international reading anyway. But either way, this was a good read, I liked it way past the cover appeal. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Misty telling someone on the phone that a ten-year-old’s grief isn’t real. It’s just loss, she said, a small hole that’ll heal quickly at his age. For him, though, holes just get bigger — maybe you just get better at building around them."

This is the story of Boy (named after Boy George) who has lost his sister in a car crash while their dad was driving. I don't want to give away the plot. The overarching theme of this story is loss and grief and neglect.

Then there's Mara, the man he meets who can stop time. Which sounded really interesting when I read the blurb but the way it's executed in the book was really confusing to me and the way Mara's storyline concluded was even more confusing. I am not sure if the story needed this side plot at all. I am not sure what purpose it served.

Even with that, I still appreciated the complexity of the characters, the hope Boy had and all the ways in which he tried to rescue himself and his loved ones. And all the people who were trying hard to rescue him.

with gratitude to netgalley and Dundurn Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

[Zulqaif · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is about an 18 year old boy so it should be categorized as YA but the way the story is told is something totally new (at least, to me) to the genre. The plot unravels slowly and steadily, not giving out much at a time and the whole background of the book makes it even more compelling. The book then carries on with the family's long lost secrets, friendships at stake and  how important communication is and how communication carries on even after death. Charlie's (Boy's dead sister) ghost adds so much importance to the story but its significance isn't revealed until the very last chapters. I would like to add this small information that the book had me crying by the end.

[Morgane Krauth]

This book just did not grab me. I did not hate the mc Boy or any of the other characters but they did not feel fleshed out enough ; most of Boy's personality seemed to revolve on him having lost his sister and him wanting to join military school (or something like it, still not sure) before he lost his sister and not knowing what to do now, which is just not enough to keep me intrigued. I also thought Boy criticized his mother a bit too much (rightly so but still annoying) and did not fall in love with the writing at all.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dundurn Press for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Anuja Varghese · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quirky story with a compelling protagonist. The relationships in which the story is grounded - Boy and his friends, Boy and his parents, Boy and his baby brother, Boy and his dead sister - are crafted with such beautiful detail and a lot of layers that unfold slowly over the course of the book. The twist of magic - the discovery of a man who can stop time - is an interesting element, but I found myself wishing this character and his ability (is it a gift? is it a curse?) had been more integrated with the rest of the story. Altogether, an enjoyable, thought-provoking read filled with terrific characters, a vivid sense of place, and a touch of the fantastical hidden in plain sight.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boy, that is his name, found stability and structure after his sister died and his dad went to prison through the military cadets. It helped him deal with his addict mother, her equally unstable boyfriend, and provided money to take care of his infant half-brother. But, when at age 18, Boy was retired from the cadets, his life went into a downward spiral. The storyline from the summary regarding time standing still is such a minor part of this story that I think mentioning it is rather misleading. Instead, Boy dealing with all the stressors around him, including the ghost of his dead sister, is the story. For me as a reader, I had a hard time focusing on his story because I was incredibly distracted by the horrible neglect of his little brother, Jay. I know it happens all the time and that doesn't make it any easier to read about. I kept hoping somehow another relative would show up or CPS (whatever the Canadian version is) would get involved, whatever to save both boys from the situation. In many ways this was not an easy read, but it was still a good one.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dundurn Press for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.

[Jane Mulkewich · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like reading books which are set in my home of Hamilton, Ontario, so this is another one by local author Brent van Staalduinen. The main character is an 18-year-old young man named Boy, who has a lot of drama going on in his life! So the book holds your interest because there is so much going on, but at the end of the book I am not sure I can tell you what the central theme or lessons learned should be. I won't say more for fear of spoilers...

[Aldo Napoli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book and it felt different than the “norm” would love to have heard more about the how things ended. Left me wanting more

[Stephanie H · Rating 4 out of 5]

With only a few weeks left in his high school career, Boy McVeigh’s life seems to be unravelling around him when he meets Mara, a man who can stop time at will.

This book had just the right amount of magical realism in it to introduce young adults to the genre. It was well-written and engaging. Boy was an interesting character, who showed a lot of resilience for what he went through. I’m not sure I quite understand the point of the twist towards the end, but maybe it’s just supposed to be chaotic, like most other aspects of the plot in this book.

[Zachary Houle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t know about you, but I read books in part for the opportunity they offer in escapism. Books are a magical place where you can briefly run and hide from all of life’s anxieties and be transported to worlds either distant from our own or close to home. Sometimes, though, books can be depressing. They can be filled with problems placed on its protagonists that seem so daunting and overwhelming, that it’s hard to enjoy the book or novel for what its worth. That’s not to say that all novels that turn out this way are bad — we certainly do need kitchen sink realist books. However, some volumes don’t come as advertised, and Brent van Staalduinen’s Boy is, unfortunately, one of those books.

This is a shame as there was some real potential here. If you read the synopsis of the book, you would think that it is between two characters: the titular Boy, so named after Boy George, an 18-year-old young man living in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and Mara, a tramp living in a culvert who has the magical ability to stop time. Based on that description, you would be forgiven for walking into this novel thinking it might be a little light-hearted and sentimental. This is, alas, not the case. For one thing, Mara is hardly in the book! And his magical abilities are sorely underused. I mean, if you’re going to put magic realist elements into your book, you might as well use them! But, no.

Read the rest of the review here: https://zachary-houle.medium.com/a-re...

[Jen Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. A compelling cast of characters, especially Boy and Jay. The plot has a nice complexity, and as always, the author uses magical realism and literary devices deftly. Once I started reading this, I couldn’t put it down.

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boy is a coming of age fiction novel where events of the past threaten to ruin plans for the future. The protagonist, Boy is potentially brilliant but to succeed he must contend with his dysfunctional parents, his dead sister, and a mysterious stranger who can stop time. Boyis the debut novel of Brent van Staalduinen.

Boy is named after the singer Boy George. He is a brilliant student who in the last year has started to let his motivation and grades slip. Teachers are trying to help him, but he refuses their help. He is accepted into a prestigious military college but his attitude will lead them to rescind the acceptance. He is even rejecting his close friends. Family life seems to be the big issue. His parents are drug and alcohol addicts. His biological father is in prison for killing his sister in a car accident and now his sister haunts him. On top of this he has a new baby brother whom he feels is his responsibility. Can he cope with all of this and still secure a future?

In my story summary I do not mention the man who can stop time because he plays a minor, almost irrelevant role in the story. I expect the lesson is that you cannot change the past. However, I was disappointed since I thought the character and his story had huge potential but it petered out.

To anyone reading this book I would suggest you keep on going. There are points where it meanders from person to person and theme to theme, and sometimes it lacks the anticipation that captures the reader but the end is worth the wait.

Boy’s Character does carry the story. However, there are many interesting characters who significantly add to the novel. Boy’s mother is a tortured soul who tries but cannot pull herself together. His father is prison is much more complex than one expects. Many of the other supporting characters play a significant role in telling the story.

The story covers many complex themes, which van Staalduinen manages very carefully and succinctly leading to a good read overall. In the end events are brought together by a surprising twist.

I do recommend the book as a whole but I can only give it a 3 on 5 because I feel like there are too many points where the reader may give up and the relevance of magical component is still a mystery to me. I want to thank NetGalley and Dundurn Press for providing me with a digital copy of the novel in exchange for a fair review

[Dominique · Rating 3 out of 5]

An intriguing premise; well written; yet the start of the book is slowed by a little too much backstory... and the character steeped in a little too much drama for my taste. Did not finish but can see why it would appeal to some.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book turned out to be much better than I had expected! I didn’t expect too much but I thought that the concept sounded interesting enough. I also suspected I may not be able to withstand some of the plots, turns out I was wrong! This book was well written! It captivated me the whole way through. I especially enjoyed that it was local in my town and was knowledgable on many of the places that were mentioned. It definitely added a certain familiarity I didn’t expect. I’m not exactly sure the character that is found by the lake was overly necessary, yet it didn’t take away from the story either. I would recommend this easy read to friends nearby, especially if they like geographically familiar novels. I also find that the content within the novel is relatable to young adults who often feel misunderstood or that their family situations are a rarity. Very happy overall!

[Amtsull44 · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a difficult read for me. I had a hard time getting interested in the story, although I thought the premise was interesting. I liked the idea of stopping and starting time, but I just couldn't lose myself in the story. The writing style was engaging and I would read more by this author in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dundum Press for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book because it was available at the library and based in my hometown. I had no idea what I was in for and I didn't hate it. I'm not normally drawn to magical realism. I figured that I would start it and if I disliked it I could stop. I didn't. If you're from Hamilton it's neat reading descriptions of the city.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is OK. It lacks the polish of other novel in this genre and was a little uneven, but still has elements of decent story. The premise is a good one, and liked the characters. I had trouble staying engaged throughout. I hope the author writes more.

Thanks very much for the ARC for review!!

[Jolene · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started out strong but I didn't quite follow it after about half way through. The Mara character was odd and not quite sure how it related to the story at all. Maybe this book just wasn't for me.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A random grab off the shelf at the library, simply because I recognized the author as a former acquaintance. I was curious about his writing style. The little endorsement by Miriam Toews in the corner boded well, I thought, because I love her writing.

It got off to a rocky start for me. Nothing obvious or distinct, just no immediate click. (Maybe the awkwardness of the name Boy? Shifting the noun to a name?)
That didn't last long, however, as the book slipped its grip on me, the way fog slowly rolls in and your engulfed in it. For me, its grip is its atmosphere. The story is intriguing enough, dysfunctional family and the coming-of-age teen who is navigating it. I like that, unlike most bildungsroman stories, it doesn't give you the green pastures of innocence time that collapses under catastrophe and trauma. The trauma is several years in the past and we've just catapulted into the "good stuff," the real heart of the story and learn about the trauma as its unveiled throughout the novel. All that to say, the structure of the storyline is good, but the atmosphere is its strength. Like fog, it took over slowly, without me noticing, until I wondered why I felt so heavy and melancholic. Oh! It's the book! I've noticed a similar feeling in reading Miriam Toews' books.

ASIDE: you, reader, probably made the connection already, in the span of the 200 words or so here. For me, there was more than a week between, so it took me longer to connect the Toews dots. Until I read the author's connection to Toews in his acknowledgements, I figured the endorsement blurb was the genius of a publisher who pulled a few strings to attract Toews' readers to this book because they'd attract the same readership. That's true, but the I think the authors' relationship (professional) is probably the real reason. Either way, someone who likes Toews will probably like van Staalduinen!

So yes, heavy atmosphere (not traumatic or trigger warning type heavy, just strong emotion; weighty). The school scenes all ring very true (the author was a teacher, so that holds), I have never visited anyone in prison, so I can't comment on those scenes, but I'll assume everything there is solid. My only critique is the cliché resolution to Charlie's presence in Boy's life. The Mara character and his ability is interesting, as is how Boy deals with Kyle. The family resolves as it should, inevitable, really.

Would be a good discussion book and certainly strong enough that I'd read another by this author.

[Melba · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well written and enjoyable book. While there are some whimsical aspects to the story, it actually delves quite deeply into some intense and difficult topics. The character development is quite strong, including (maybe especially) baby character, Jay. Relationship building was also strong, though I would have liked to see more growth between characters by the end of the book. Overall the book is well written and interesting, quite a bit more complex than the description would lead one to believe. I listened to the ending twice because it was that enjoyable. I would definitely recommend this title.

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've recently read a few YA novels and have often felt disappointed by the characters. Many of them are just unbearable and flat-out annoying. Boy was, for the most part, sympathetic as a protagonist. He was surrounded by a decent cast as well. Some antagonists were hard to deal with, but at the same time, they played perfectly into his life.

The author wrote an engaging book that I actually kept on wanting to read.

The story of life facing multiple setbacks and disappointments seemed very real to the area of the city that he lived in.