Boy and Man
Published on 5. March 2009
Book
Paperback/Softback
272 pages
978-0-00-721348-1 (ISBN)
Description
When a loved one disappears, you can never be sure whether they are alive or dead
Jay once content with life in rural Ireland, left his childhood home and those who loved him to embark on the journey of his life in search of his father. Now Jay is fully grown and living in a mission hospital in Africa. Alone without his family or his roots, he has given up his quest.
Back in Ireland, the man known as the master is recovering after a terrible accident. Sure that his missing grandson, the only person left of his family, is alive somewhere, he cannot rest untill he knows for sure.
Both men are seeking, amid the human suffering they are surrounded by, to have their belief in life confirmed. And for both of them, its the kindness of strangers which brings comfort. From the travelling nun to the Polish builder, for the trusting truick driver to the released prisoner, it is these strangers who guide us on life's journey and who help bring the missing home to each other.
Jay once content with life in rural Ireland, left his childhood home and those who loved him to embark on the journey of his life in search of his father. Now Jay is fully grown and living in a mission hospital in Africa. Alone without his family or his roots, he has given up his quest.
Back in Ireland, the man known as the master is recovering after a terrible accident. Sure that his missing grandson, the only person left of his family, is alive somewhere, he cannot rest untill he knows for sure.
Both men are seeking, amid the human suffering they are surrounded by, to have their belief in life confirmed. And for both of them, its the kindness of strangers which brings comfort. From the travelling nun to the Polish builder, for the trusting truick driver to the released prisoner, it is these strangers who guide us on life's journey and who help bring the missing home to each other.
Reviews / Votes
Praise for 'Boy in the World':'A tender coming-of-age novel' Daily Mail
'With poetic prose that could have been written by angels, combined with a pace that keeps the reader turning the pages...A Dickens for the 21st century. A spiritually enriching story of such beauty and magic that is deserves a place not just in the 9/11 canon, but also on the Leaving Cert syllabus as well' Irish Times
'At times thoughtful and moving, ultimately it is the empathy the reader feels for the young boy that allows this fine novel to resonate so well' Sunday Business Post
'Williams's style is reflective and moving' Metro
'Using some really stunning descriptive prose, Williams pulls you gently along on a wave of sounds and pictures. He writes differently, a succeeds in creating vivid images that stay in your mind long after the book is closed' Sunday Tribune
'A beautifully crafted story of discovery' Belfast Telegraph
'Emotional insightfulness saturates this novel' Sunday Times
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
HarperCollins Publishers
Product notice
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 203 mm
Width: 126 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
341 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-00-721348-1 (9780007213481)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
Niall Williams was born in 1958 and lives in Kiltumper with his wife Christine and their two children. His previous novels, Four Letters of Love and As it is in Heaven, were published to acclaim and became international bestsellers. His latest book, Boy and Man is the sequal to his acclaimed Boy in the World.