Boy's Life

By: Robert R. McCammon

Narrated by: George Newbern

Length: 20 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

In me are the memories of a boy's life, spent in that realm of enchantments. These are the things I want to tell you....

Robert McCammon delivers "a tour de force of storytelling" (BookPage) in his award-winning masterpiece, a novel of Southern boyhood, growing up in the 1960s, that reaches far beyond that evocative landscape to touch listeners universally. Boy's Life is a richly imagined, spellbinding portrait of the magical worldview of the young - and of innocence lost. Zephyr, Alabama, is an idyllic hometown for 11-year-old Cory Mackenson - a place where monsters swim the river deep and friends are forever. Then, one cold spring morning, Cory and his father witness a car plunge into a lake - and a desperate rescue attempt brings his father face-to-face with a terrible, haunting vision of death. As Cory struggles to understand his father's pain, his eyes are slowly opened to the forces of good and evil that surround him. From an ancient mystic who can hear the dead and bewitch the living, to a violent clan of moonshiners, Cory must confront the secrets that hide in the shadows of his hometown - for his father's sanity and his own life hang in the balance....

©2014 Robert R. McCammon (P)2014 Simon & Schuster Audio

Great read

Being from Alabama I relate to the story and see much of my childhood from the sixties in the author's words. Friends never seem as important as they do when you are young. Highly recommended read.

One of the Best Books I have EVER listened to!!!!!

Where does Boy's Life rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

In the top 10 for sure maybe even the top 5.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

It was not a suspense novel but it was so interesting. The story was vivid in it's descriptions. I saw the town through Corey's eyes. This book was funny, it was intense, it had mystery, and magic. The characters were rich in their growth and their interactions.

Which character – as performed by George Newbern – was your favorite?

Corey, the main character. He is full of wonder at the beginning of the book. He and his friends have so much imagination. As he begins to learn about the dark parts of life his father's guidance stays with him and helps him to become a man of integrity. Then when he sees his own father suffering he stands by his father and encourages him in his darkness. The bond between the two of them reminded me that life is still good, even when terrible realities must be faced.

If you could take any character from Boy's Life out to dinner, who would it be and why?

"The Lady." On the surface she seemed like the town witch, but there was more to her than her witchcraft. She had great wisdom which she had gained from suffering, and she had dreams for future generations. She was a kind person and she had a good heart, but she was funny and one to be feared as well.

Any additional comments?

I loved the variety of quirky characters from the town's naked man who although he seemed crazy, had uncanny wisdom, insight and compassion. "The Lady," the "Demon,"
"the bird lady," the sherrif. The book truley painted a picture of town life before internet, before strip malls, when people in a town knew each other and were there for each other.

Couldn't put down

Just one of those books that grabs you and you find yourself spending far too much time engrossed...Binge-listening and then quite sad when it's over. It was familiar but also humorous and moving.

Boy’s Life

This story is sooo good. I went in with only a vague knowledge of the plot and was blown away by the imaginative story. It took me back to childhood and the magic we don’t even realize we experienced. Highly recommended. #Magical #Mystery #Childhood #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

Surprisingly Good Novel

I bought this book based upon the reviews and I’m glad I did. It takes you back to a time and place that you can imagine as you listen to the story.

Makes me want to be a kid again

I never thought I would say that but listening to Boy's Life makes you remember the good and innocence that once was. what a lovely fun sometimes laugh out loud book. Sorry he had to grow up and leave that era.

Perfectly Captured Through the Eyes of a Twelve-Year-Old

This book is for anyone who is of a certain age and grew up in a small town. I saw my own childhood in this story (even though I am a girl who grew up in rural MN) and the magic of childhood friends, the closeness of family, the angst of school, burgeoning into a ‘tween, and the lore and legend of small town America.

This story has everything: friends and bullies, a mystery with nefarious characters, the magic of childhood imagination, the child’s interpretation of adult parenting and relationships, a first crush, and a wonderful perspective on the civil rights in the 60s as seen through the eyes of a child in Alabama. I don’t think I would change a thing in this story.

Perfect - The title says it all

The story is gold, and the performance matched it. And yes, it made me cry. Terrific.

One is the most enjoyable book I’ve ever read or listened to.

Chapter after chapter of great storytelling, all tied together gracefully by the author. As a 68 year old man who grew up during the 60’s I related to so many tales.

I loved this book and I also made my dog happy!

This book has been my faithful companion for a week on my daily walks with my dog. It was the reason (besides making my dog happy) I couldn't wait to get outside of the house. I loved the story overall. I admit it took me some time to get into it but I'm glad I continued for it developed in such a captivating manner I could not resist it. I love the coming of age stories, I love history, I love stories with dogs (among other wonderful characters there is a dog in it too!). The narration was very good although I listened at a speed of X1.25, for I felt it more engaging this way.

I will definitely check other titles written by the same author and most surely will revisit the book in a while!