Tuesday, March 15, 2011

REVIEW: The Outside Boy, by Jeanine Cummins

The Outside Boy, by Jeanine Cummins. Published 2010, New American Library. Literary Fiction.

The Outside Boy is set in the rural Ireland of the 1950s, in a world far from the political problems of the day, in the itinerant community of the Irish Travellers. They are also called Pavees and, in a derogitory manner, tinkers (not to be confused with Paul Harding's clockworker tinkers, though). Jeanine Cummins' novel focuses on one such band of wanderers, the Hurley family, and on little Christy Hurley, a motherless boy traveling with his father and extended family.

Christy believes that his mother died seven minutes after giving birth to him, and he has been carrying this burden of guilt for all of his 11 years. As the story opens, Christy's grandfather has just died, and, per Traveller tradition, all of his belongings have been burned. However,  a newspaper clipping showing a beautiful woman wearing the same pendant Christy wears around his own neck escapes the flames. As the family has stopped in a small town to see to Christy's and his cousin's religious education, Christy befriends a local bookseller who helps him solve the mystery of the woman in the photo.

Most of this book I absolutely loved. The Outside Boy is an absolutely charming coming-of-age story. We see the work Christy has cut out for him when it comes to fitting in in the town, in school and with his peers, and we see how he struggles and how beautifully he succeeds in many ways. He has a crush on a pretty girl named Amy; she invites him to her birthday party and the party is one of the most charming scenes of pre-adolescent humor, awkwardness and tenderness I can recall. It is particularly memorable in encapsulating Christy's fish-out-of-water feelings as well as his desire to belong. He marvels at the plethora of food and the expectation presents, on the fact that a child's birthday is celebrated at all, and he shares moments of generosity and sweetness with Amy, his cousin Martin and another schoolmate. It's the kind of moment in a book that will stay with me forever.

I also loved the sound of the book. Cummins says in the introduction that she did not write it in genuine Traveller dialect (Shelta) because to do so would render the book incomprehensible; instead she writes the narration and the dialogue in a very genuine-sounding Irish voice that charmed me right away. And I loved the empathy and compassion she has for her characters. My quibbles are minor; towards the end, the story descends in melodrama and Christy does some things and has some insights that seem very mature for an 11-year-old (but would fit better on a 15-year-old). I liked it best (loved it, really) when the book focused more on Christy's coming of age and less on the drama.

Having said all that, I loved The Outside Boy and would recommend it to almost anyone looking for a great read. It's so sweet and tender; it made me laugh and cry and turn the pages, too. It also offers a look at a way of life that is probably little-known outside of Ireland and Great Britain. Beyond that, though, it's really just a wonderful story about a little boy trying to find his way in the world. I'm so glad I read it and I hope you do, too.

Here's the Wikipedia page on Irish Travellers.

This book counts towards the Ireland Reading Challenge 2011.

Rating: BUY

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for review from the publisher.

15 comments:

Mystica said...

I'd really like to read this book specially when you say that it is little known outside Ireland and England. Nice to know about other ways of life.

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

I loved what you had to say about this one, and am happy I do have a copy --maybe for vacation reading in May.

bermudaonion said...

This book sounds practically perfect - coming of age in Ireland!

Col (Col Reads) said...

Thanks, Marie. I'm looking forward to this one now -- planning a trip to Ireland in 2012!

Zibilee said...

I have this book on my shelf and am looking forward to it. Your review makes it sound like it's a really sweet story, and the section that you mention about the birthday party is something that I relish getting to. Thanks for the awesome review!

Kathleen said...

This book would take me to a place I have always wanted to visit but have yet to do so. I've always been intrigued by the Travellers. I can't imagine the adjustment one would have to make to staying in one place, being in the throws of growing up, and trying to set down roots all of a sudden. The book sounds wonderful.

Anonymous said...

This books sounds just lovable and quirky enough to be a memorable read. I'll add it to my "to reads."

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a wonderful read. Thanks for sharing.

Pam said...

This one sounds very interesting. I've added it to my TBR list. Looking forward to the birthday party scene.

Trisha said...

I have this one waiting for me on the shelves....along with so many others it's disturbing. :)

Anonymous said...

This one sounds fantastic! I'm definitely adding this to my to-read list - and I added the link to your review to the main Ireland Challenge page.

Anonymous said...

I love books set in Ireland, so this is definitely going on my to-read list.

Anonymous said...

This one is not to be missed since I like Irish fiction. At the bookstore I read that it's a beautiful coming of age story about a motherless gypsy boy, who struggles to discover who he is in 1950's Ireland. Thanks for the review!

Sheila (Bookjourney) said...

I know this is on my shelf = I picked it up at BEA last year. I must pull it down - thanks for the review!

Laurie C said...

I've seen this one at the library, but haven't been drawn to it. Your review makes me more inclined to read it!