Damian McNicholl

This is a gentle story narrated by young Gabriel Harkin, the son of the title, who lives in Northern Ireland during the 1960s and 70s. A young boy in 1964 when the novel begins, his story is one of growing up during the time of the "troubles" which provide a subtle background for his personal experience of dealing with his own homosexuality. He does well enough in school, but is not a scholar, and from the beginning he does not fit in either at school or at home. The novel traces his gradual discovery of why this is, and his homosexuality is only one of the reasons. How he deals with his growing awareness of his sexuality is one source of suspense in the story. At the same time his family gradually prospers financially even as the violence of the "troubles" grows ever more menacing in the background. This novel is quiet and understated, but it has just the right tone for the story. There is additional suspense primarily due to a subplot regarding Gabriel's Uncle Brendan who is away from home at the beginning of the story. He returns and the result of that event along with the growing political clamor provides sufficient action to keep the reader interested until Gabriel's story comes to its climactic close.… (more)

This is a beautiful coming-of-age story that centers around a Catholic boy's struggle to recognize and accept his homosexuality amidst a turbulent Northern Ireland in the 1960s-1970s. It is sad, wise and at times, pretty raunchy. The writing is great, it really made me feel like I was there in Ireland, during that time. The characters are so well developed and despite quirks, I easily and quickly grew to care about them. While the author could have easily fallen prey to bashing on the Catholic church and such, he makes you understand more than inflame. I think his handling of such enormous topics was sensitive, interesting and open-minded. However, I think the novel could have used some editing, some themes, like Gabriel's struggle to succeed in school and his battle with his homosexuality, seemed to play out endlessly ~ very repetitive. It could have been tightened up quite a bit. But overall, that is a small complaint. I enjoyed the reading, the learning and the place and time. I do recommend this book, but the sexual content is rather graphic, so one must be okay with that.… (more)