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Boy in the Blue Hammock
In a time of isolation and scarcity, a regressive regime rules with absolute power, turning neighbour against neighbour, and crushing dissidence with deadly force. A microcosm of this monstrous time: the tiny Pacific Northwest town of Gilder.
In a house on the fringes of the decimated hamlet, Kasper—fifteen, intellectually disabled, limited ability to speak—has miraculously survived the slaying of his family. But alone, he is a fleeting miracle. Alone, he is on borrowed time. Alone, his yellow headphones, brown blanket and beloved copy of The Gingerbread Man are scant consolation. Alone, he is destined to die within the folds of the blue hammock hanging from his bedroom ceiling.
Kasper is not alone.
Tao—failed service dog turned family pet—has also survived the attack. And with the discovery of Boy, Tao understands he has a duty: guide the last living member of his pack out of the house and through the ravaged streets of Gilder to safety. The destination? The one refuge he can conceive of in a world gone mad.
Boy in the Blue Hammock is an epic tale of loss and loyalty, of dissent and destruction, of assumption and ableism. With a unique premise, powerful narrative and evocative prose, the novel might be the best kept literary secret of 2022.
In a house on the fringes of the decimated hamlet, Kasper—fifteen, intellectually disabled, limited ability to speak—has miraculously survived the slaying of his family. But alone, he is a fleeting miracle. Alone, he is on borrowed time. Alone, his yellow headphones, brown blanket and beloved copy of The Gingerbread Man are scant consolation. Alone, he is destined to die within the folds of the blue hammock hanging from his bedroom ceiling.
Kasper is not alone.
Tao—failed service dog turned family pet—has also survived the attack. And with the discovery of Boy, Tao understands he has a duty: guide the last living member of his pack out of the house and through the ravaged streets of Gilder to safety. The destination? The one refuge he can conceive of in a world gone mad.
Boy in the Blue Hammock is an epic tale of loss and loyalty, of dissent and destruction, of assumption and ableism. With a unique premise, powerful narrative and evocative prose, the novel might be the best kept literary secret of 2022.
- GenresFiction
208 pages, Paperback
Published April 30, 2022
1 person is currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Darren Groth
8 books58 followersDarren Groth is a Vancouver author and citizen of Canada, having moved from his native Australia in 2007. His novels include 'Kindling', 'Boy in the Blue Hammock' and the acclaimed YA works, 'Are You Seeing Me?' and 'Munro vs. the Coyote'. His new memoir, 'Marooned: A Memoir of Fandom, Fatherhood and the Far Side of the World', will be out May 20, 2026.
Darren has been a winner in the South Australian Literary Awards and a finalist in numerous other prestigious prizes including the Governor General's Literary Awards (Canada), the OLA White Pine Award (Canada). the CBCA Book of the Year (Australia), and the Prime Minister's Literary Awards (Australia).
For fun, he watches 'American Ninja Warrior' with his beautiful Canadian wife and eats Fatburger with his wondrous twins.
Darren has been a winner in the South Australian Literary Awards and a finalist in numerous other prestigious prizes including the Governor General's Literary Awards (Canada), the OLA White Pine Award (Canada). the CBCA Book of the Year (Australia), and the Prime Minister's Literary Awards (Australia).
For fun, he watches 'American Ninja Warrior' with his beautiful Canadian wife and eats Fatburger with his wondrous twins.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 23, 2022
This novel is a genuine departure from anything I have read by Groth before. Whilst a neurodiverse protagonist is not unusual for Groth, the perspective offered here was deeper and more personal than he has ever written before. Initially I struggled to make sense of what was even going on, but once I finished I realised that was part of the story’s purpose. The reader is really asked to inhabit Kasper’s reality and consider how he fits into the world around him. Using the assistance dog Tao to help us connect with Kasper on a basic and intuitive level was a stroke of genius in my view. Tao is the reader’s point of rationality in a world gone mad, which simplifies things in some ways and makes it more baffling in others. This emphasises Kasper’s insular world even more as Tao attempts to take him to a place of refuge.
Kasper’s world has always been his family. When his family is taken away he has to rely on Tao and the goodwill, or otherwise, of the world around him to survive. Tao has issues of his own, including a badly injured leg, to worry about, but the overriding impetus for him is Kasper’s wellbeing and safety.
It is not an easy novel to navigate, and there will be some who will not persist to the end, or misunderstand what it is trying to say. What I see in The Boy in the Blue Hammock is a genuine plea for understanding; a suggestion that time must be taken in order to truly see people like Kasper and understand what they offer the world. I suspect this novel is one to be read and then re-read so that one can capture the moments missed the first time around.
Deeply personal, economically written, and something to challenge the reader’s understanding of what it is to be a puzzle piece that some people can’t fit into their version of the world.
Recommended reading - more than once.
Kasper’s world has always been his family. When his family is taken away he has to rely on Tao and the goodwill, or otherwise, of the world around him to survive. Tao has issues of his own, including a badly injured leg, to worry about, but the overriding impetus for him is Kasper’s wellbeing and safety.
It is not an easy novel to navigate, and there will be some who will not persist to the end, or misunderstand what it is trying to say. What I see in The Boy in the Blue Hammock is a genuine plea for understanding; a suggestion that time must be taken in order to truly see people like Kasper and understand what they offer the world. I suspect this novel is one to be read and then re-read so that one can capture the moments missed the first time around.
Deeply personal, economically written, and something to challenge the reader’s understanding of what it is to be a puzzle piece that some people can’t fit into their version of the world.
Recommended reading - more than once.
August 27, 2023
This work of speculative fiction is told from the point of view of Tao, a service dog who failed to complete his training. His family's house has been raided by an ultraconservative militia, leaving an injured Tao to guide fifteen year old intellectually disabled Kasper to safety, through a ruined landscape. The story has great tension and describes horrible societal upheavals. Author Darren Groth shows the solid bond between boy and dog, and also poses some of the big questions we are dealing with as a species. Recommended.
September 29, 2024
2024 Review
A Gritty Tale of Survival and Self-Discovery.
How did the book make me feel/think?
2024 Review (Second Reading)
This is the second time I’ve devoured this gem of dystopian fiction, and just like the first, it remains a top-tier favourite—on par with Cormac McCarthy’s ‘The Road.’ Beneath the relentless struggle for survival in a chaotic world, Groth delivers a powerful narrative about underdogs, self-acceptance, and the transformative journey of learning to love ourselves to better support those who need us most.
WRITTEN: 29 September 2024
2022 Review
Boy |in the| Blue Hammock is worthy of classic status.
How did the book make me feel/think?
The classic book The Road (Cormac McCarthy) is one of my favourite books. A boy and father navigate a dystopian landscape. Survival is the only goal.
Switch out the father for Tao (Dog) →, and Groth takes us on a heart-wrenching ride through a fracturing world. In this world, a failed service dog and an autistic teenager face a gauntlet of division and hatred.
Slide over The Road; a new book is nudging past you on my favourite list. Groth’s writing is extraordinary, heart-eviscerating, and gripping. Tao Dog + Boy (Kasper) fight for survival after Tao (Dog) discovers that Man, Woman, and Girl have been gruesomely murdered. Kasper is the only human family survivor, hiding in the security of his blue hammock when Tao finds him.
Boy |in the| Blue Hammock is worthy of classic status; every page yanked at my emotions → my tears blending with the chills racing through my veins.
We are all judged. The entitled and privileged, walking amongst us, label us as they tread in the shallow end of life. Hindered by denial. All to make them feel more by tagging others as less. The judgement is flawed. Groth blasts bright lights on the flaws. Tao and Kasper share the beauty of vulnerability, compassion, and empathy. Along the way through their struggles, they share unlimited powers unconditionally.
Backing up to the entitled, in the grand scheme of things, they are lacking because many cannot understand equal is not something to strive for. If they only opened their hearts, they could learn valuable lessons about being human from Boy and Dog.
I was born in a place where women deemed unfit by society were sent to be fixed. If their children survived, they were sold or adopted out, never to be spoken of again. I have carried the weight of the unwanted label, and the darkness of stigma attached to it throughout life. I am not comparing my journey to an autistic child. But I understand vulnerability and the piercing eyes of those often looking down on me.
A friend of mine believes homeless people are lazy. My heart cringes. Life isn’t always easy, especially if people hold you down.
I’m lucky. Why?
Somehow, I avoided bitterness, finding compassion, empathy, and an understanding that each person is capable of unconditional love if only given a chance. And despite being deemed expendable, I’m still here.
Thanks, Boy, thanks, Dog, you make the world a better place.
WRITTEN: 23 April 2022
A Gritty Tale of Survival and Self-Discovery.
How did the book make me feel/think?
2024 Review (Second Reading)
This is the second time I’ve devoured this gem of dystopian fiction, and just like the first, it remains a top-tier favourite—on par with Cormac McCarthy’s ‘The Road.’ Beneath the relentless struggle for survival in a chaotic world, Groth delivers a powerful narrative about underdogs, self-acceptance, and the transformative journey of learning to love ourselves to better support those who need us most.
WRITTEN: 29 September 2024
2022 Review
Boy |in the| Blue Hammock is worthy of classic status.
How did the book make me feel/think?
The classic book The Road (Cormac McCarthy) is one of my favourite books. A boy and father navigate a dystopian landscape. Survival is the only goal.
Switch out the father for Tao (Dog) →, and Groth takes us on a heart-wrenching ride through a fracturing world. In this world, a failed service dog and an autistic teenager face a gauntlet of division and hatred.
Slide over The Road; a new book is nudging past you on my favourite list. Groth’s writing is extraordinary, heart-eviscerating, and gripping. Tao Dog + Boy (Kasper) fight for survival after Tao (Dog) discovers that Man, Woman, and Girl have been gruesomely murdered. Kasper is the only human family survivor, hiding in the security of his blue hammock when Tao finds him.
Boy |in the| Blue Hammock is worthy of classic status; every page yanked at my emotions → my tears blending with the chills racing through my veins.
We are all judged. The entitled and privileged, walking amongst us, label us as they tread in the shallow end of life. Hindered by denial. All to make them feel more by tagging others as less. The judgement is flawed. Groth blasts bright lights on the flaws. Tao and Kasper share the beauty of vulnerability, compassion, and empathy. Along the way through their struggles, they share unlimited powers unconditionally.
Backing up to the entitled, in the grand scheme of things, they are lacking because many cannot understand equal is not something to strive for. If they only opened their hearts, they could learn valuable lessons about being human from Boy and Dog.
I was born in a place where women deemed unfit by society were sent to be fixed. If their children survived, they were sold or adopted out, never to be spoken of again. I have carried the weight of the unwanted label, and the darkness of stigma attached to it throughout life. I am not comparing my journey to an autistic child. But I understand vulnerability and the piercing eyes of those often looking down on me.
A friend of mine believes homeless people are lazy. My heart cringes. Life isn’t always easy, especially if people hold you down.
I’m lucky. Why?
Somehow, I avoided bitterness, finding compassion, empathy, and an understanding that each person is capable of unconditional love if only given a chance. And despite being deemed expendable, I’m still here.
Thanks, Boy, thanks, Dog, you make the world a better place.
WRITTEN: 23 April 2022
July 23, 2022
I have always enjoyed Darren Groth’s YA fiction… and I enjoyed this entree into writing for a slightly older audience.
I will admit that there were a number of times/places where I was confused about the specifics of a given situation - not really following what was taking place 100% - but overall I got where he was going.
This is a big novel, in that Groth, who is writing from very close to home where both Kasper and Tao are concerned, seeks to challenge - to change - our perceptions about ‘difference’ - about those who are seen to be ‘lesser’ than fully (human or animal)... be they a neurodivergent child, or a failed service dog.
He chooses to use an epic journey - written from the perspective of the dog - interspersed with flashbacks, to describe the ways in which the political moment we (the great ‘universal’ we) are in serves to compound the difficulties ‘differently abled’ individuals have to deal with on a day to day basis. For the most part he is successful - although there are times where the dog’s voice struggles to ring true. Mom’s flashbacks provide much needed additional context at, mostly, just the right moments.
The dramatic tension in the novel, and what keeps the reader fixed on their task and glued to the book, is the contradiction between the social breakdown and absolute individualism of the ‘hounds’ and their ilk… as compared to the dogged (pun intended) devotion of the dog - to the boy - and the fierce determination to get him to safety.
I’m not sure that I needed the (thinly) veiled references to the Republicans and Democrats, or the specific reference to the “fucker in charge (who) is just fannin’ the flames.” This would have worked without having to try to also bring in a commentary on US (and sadly also other) politics. In fact, it would have been even more universal had it remained in the realm of the ‘generic’ as far as setting is concerned.
This was a perfect afternoon read to get me back into reading after a stretch during which I’ve had no time to pick up a book.
I will admit that there were a number of times/places where I was confused about the specifics of a given situation - not really following what was taking place 100% - but overall I got where he was going.
This is a big novel, in that Groth, who is writing from very close to home where both Kasper and Tao are concerned, seeks to challenge - to change - our perceptions about ‘difference’ - about those who are seen to be ‘lesser’ than fully (human or animal)... be they a neurodivergent child, or a failed service dog.
He chooses to use an epic journey - written from the perspective of the dog - interspersed with flashbacks, to describe the ways in which the political moment we (the great ‘universal’ we) are in serves to compound the difficulties ‘differently abled’ individuals have to deal with on a day to day basis. For the most part he is successful - although there are times where the dog’s voice struggles to ring true. Mom’s flashbacks provide much needed additional context at, mostly, just the right moments.
The dramatic tension in the novel, and what keeps the reader fixed on their task and glued to the book, is the contradiction between the social breakdown and absolute individualism of the ‘hounds’ and their ilk… as compared to the dogged (pun intended) devotion of the dog - to the boy - and the fierce determination to get him to safety.
I’m not sure that I needed the (thinly) veiled references to the Republicans and Democrats, or the specific reference to the “fucker in charge (who) is just fannin’ the flames.” This would have worked without having to try to also bring in a commentary on US (and sadly also other) politics. In fact, it would have been even more universal had it remained in the realm of the ‘generic’ as far as setting is concerned.
This was a perfect afternoon read to get me back into reading after a stretch during which I’ve had no time to pick up a book.
July 22, 2022
It’s not often you find an animal as the main character of a YA novel, but that’s exactly what Darren Groth has provided in Boy in the Blue Hammock. As far as animal protagonists go, Tao is right up there with Lassie and Marley, for intelligence, love and loyalty.
From the first page we find Kasper and Tao in a broken world, a world of violence and loss, which is more than loosely realistic when we think about world events in recent years.
The structure of the story is simple, with backstory and forward story seperated in a way that is easy to follow.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Tao is badly injured but his sense of duty rises above his pain and confusion and between the two of them, Tao and Kasper (Boy) find a way to communicate and move towards what we hope is safety in an unsafe world.
He may be a failed service dog but Tao hears the words of his trainer in his mind, dons his imaginary training jacket, and takes on the task of leading Kasper to safety, willing to defend Boy against any dangers encountered along the way.
But who saves who? What are the necessary ingredients for trust when communication and understanding is limited? And how far past your endurance can determination and will take you?
I kind of wanted the story to continue, but in the end, just knowing that both Kasper and Tao were safe was enough for me.
Boy in the Blue Hammock is a heartwarming, life affirming story of triumph over adversity. Man’s best friend becomes Boy’s best friend and the limited communication of both seems to be just the right fit.
I really enjoyed it.
I’d like to thank the author and his publisher for sending me a digital copy of this book for the purpose of review.
From the first page we find Kasper and Tao in a broken world, a world of violence and loss, which is more than loosely realistic when we think about world events in recent years.
The structure of the story is simple, with backstory and forward story seperated in a way that is easy to follow.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Tao is badly injured but his sense of duty rises above his pain and confusion and between the two of them, Tao and Kasper (Boy) find a way to communicate and move towards what we hope is safety in an unsafe world.
He may be a failed service dog but Tao hears the words of his trainer in his mind, dons his imaginary training jacket, and takes on the task of leading Kasper to safety, willing to defend Boy against any dangers encountered along the way.
But who saves who? What are the necessary ingredients for trust when communication and understanding is limited? And how far past your endurance can determination and will take you?
I kind of wanted the story to continue, but in the end, just knowing that both Kasper and Tao were safe was enough for me.
Boy in the Blue Hammock is a heartwarming, life affirming story of triumph over adversity. Man’s best friend becomes Boy’s best friend and the limited communication of both seems to be just the right fit.
I really enjoyed it.
I’d like to thank the author and his publisher for sending me a digital copy of this book for the purpose of review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2022
The morning after the attack, Tao wakes to disaster. Both his body and the house are broken. His mangled rear leg doesn’t stop him from seeking his family. Upstairs he finds Man, Woman, and Girl all motionless. The only life comes from the blue hammock in Boy’s room. Tao knows something is different about the Boy Kasper, but he is family. Tao trained to be a service dog but couldn’t complete the program. Still, Tao knows his responsibility. He must protect Kasper. He needs to lead Boy to safety.
Boy in the Blue Hammock is the latest speculative fiction piece by Darren Groth. This brilliant work is both heart-wrenchingly tragic and heartwarming. Growth’s unlikely duo set out on a perilous journey, but this is no Disney adventure story. Groth sets his tale during violent political unrest. He masterfully describes the chaos without being overly graphic. Most of the novel is through Tao’s perspective. Giving us the dog’s eye view of the world and a sense of his pain and duty. Readers looking for a quick-paced, uplifting, tear-jerker look no further than Boy in the Blue Hammock.
This review was originally published at https://sanfranciscobookreview.com/pr...
Boy in the Blue Hammock is the latest speculative fiction piece by Darren Groth. This brilliant work is both heart-wrenchingly tragic and heartwarming. Growth’s unlikely duo set out on a perilous journey, but this is no Disney adventure story. Groth sets his tale during violent political unrest. He masterfully describes the chaos without being overly graphic. Most of the novel is through Tao’s perspective. Giving us the dog’s eye view of the world and a sense of his pain and duty. Readers looking for a quick-paced, uplifting, tear-jerker look no further than Boy in the Blue Hammock.
This review was originally published at https://sanfranciscobookreview.com/pr...
January 18, 2025
This book was truly one of the worst things I have ever read. The first chapter was promising, I enjoyed the writing style, seeing everything from the perspective of Tao, a failed service dog. As I continued reading, my thoughts on the book grew increasingly negative.
There are a number of gross, unnecessary metaphors that nearly made me stop reading. I’m not adverse to horror and gore, but these were not of that nature.
The amount of times I read the r-word was nearly obscene. As someone who has been maliciously called this particular slur many times, I don’t see why it was necessary to the story. I understand the author, Darren Groth, trying to bring neurodivergent and autistic stories to light, but when you are the parent of an autistic child writing a book using this language it begins to feel like a reflection of how you perceive neurodivergent people.
I wanted to like this book, it had many elements that I usually enjoy, an apocalyptic setting, a neurodivergent lead, and tragedy. I tried to like it, I actually finished reading it, but its pitfalls were too great.
There are a number of gross, unnecessary metaphors that nearly made me stop reading. I’m not adverse to horror and gore, but these were not of that nature.
The amount of times I read the r-word was nearly obscene. As someone who has been maliciously called this particular slur many times, I don’t see why it was necessary to the story. I understand the author, Darren Groth, trying to bring neurodivergent and autistic stories to light, but when you are the parent of an autistic child writing a book using this language it begins to feel like a reflection of how you perceive neurodivergent people.
I wanted to like this book, it had many elements that I usually enjoy, an apocalyptic setting, a neurodivergent lead, and tragedy. I tried to like it, I actually finished reading it, but its pitfalls were too great.
April 28, 2022
Such a wonderful read! I no longer formally review but honestly this is a book I want to share with everyone, if for no other reason than to have others to discuss it with.
Thoughtfully written, the combo of an unusual POV and an unlikely duo of protagonists makes for an engrossing story. Tao and Kaspers journey is small in distance but large in meaning, and can be compared directly to the length of the book, so much happens in the small moments. Groth is able to capture large subjects, emotions and thoughts in concise and elegant writing with no excess.
Finally i’d be lying if Groths loose use of our towns layout and markers didn’t add an extra small layer of joy for me, much like when I pick out Toronto locals in my favourite, The Edible Woman.
Honestly, for a story with such a grim backdrop, it was such a treat to read. Make sure it’s on your TBR pile and gift giving lists!
Thoughtfully written, the combo of an unusual POV and an unlikely duo of protagonists makes for an engrossing story. Tao and Kaspers journey is small in distance but large in meaning, and can be compared directly to the length of the book, so much happens in the small moments. Groth is able to capture large subjects, emotions and thoughts in concise and elegant writing with no excess.
Finally i’d be lying if Groths loose use of our towns layout and markers didn’t add an extra small layer of joy for me, much like when I pick out Toronto locals in my favourite, The Edible Woman.
Honestly, for a story with such a grim backdrop, it was such a treat to read. Make sure it’s on your TBR pile and gift giving lists!
April 30, 2022
Full review soon!
Thank you to Harbour Publishing and Nightwood Editions for my gifted review copy!
Thank you to Harbour Publishing and Nightwood Editions for my gifted review copy!
December 4, 2022
More neurodivergent stories, please! This was brilliant.
January 2, 2023
Captivating
This book broke my heart and patched it up again a dozen times. Groth is an artist who paints with words. I’m so glad this book came into my life—even if it hurt.
This book broke my heart and patched it up again a dozen times. Groth is an artist who paints with words. I’m so glad this book came into my life—even if it hurt.
July 6, 2024
It takes a while to get into the style of the narrative, but once you do, it's quite harrowing and gritty. It reminded me a bit like The Road.
December 21, 2024
A beautiful story of a boy with autism spectrum disorder, and his service dog, through a dangerous journey, accross the "hounds" to save their lives.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews