The Outside Boy

I really enjoyed this book, which focuses on Irish gypsies or 'travellers' in the 1950's in Ireland. I used to live in Ireland and so I like to read books about Ireland. I have studied a lot of Irish history as well, but nothing like this. The characters seems very real to me, so I wonder if they are all based on people the author knows. In any case, I can't wait to read her next book!

This is a beautiful novel of wood smoke and holy water, fist fights, prayers, and the quiet clop of horse's hooves on country roads. It begins with a grief-stricken grandmother on her hands and knees howling in the night, an event that perfectly encapsulates the shrinking world of the Irish Travellers in the late fifties; exposed and financially desperate, never far from death but full of faith, freedom and the comfort of families. The Outside Boy is Christy, a boy on the cusp of adolescence. Christy and his cousin swear and steal and beg and swindle, and rarely bother to hide their distaste for the "duffers" who live in houses. But their family must settle briefly so the boys can attend school and make their first Communions. Interwoven with their misadventures in school is the story of Christy's search for information about his mother, who died seven minutes after giving birth. Twists, turns, surprises, suspense, it's all in here, along with a father trying to carefully instruct a son in who he is and how to remain true to it in a changing world. There are kind, decent and loathsome people in this book. There is also an honest portrayal of the Travellers at their best and worst. At times the author has allowed overly poetic language to come spilling out of Christy's mouth. But the the language is so beautiful, and the tale being told is such a good one, that it only takes the reader out of the story for a moment. I absolutely fell in love with the characters, the wagons, the animals, the landscape and the language. I was desperate to know how it all came out, but so very sorry to see it end. This is just a great story.

This is a wonderfully written book about the tinkers in Ireland in 1959. I wanted to read this book after growing up hearing all my grandmothers stories about the tinkers in Ireland at a much earlier time. I found them fascinating and wondered how this book would talk about them. This book is told from the perspective of one of the tinkers a young boy named Christy. It is a mesmerizing tale about the bond of family from the first word to the last, and is one that is incredibly hard to put down. However, I wish the ending was a little different- or a little longer with more explanation or development of characters that are new to the story near the end. However this is a book I would highly reccomend to anyone interested in Ireland or family stories.

In "The Outside Boy," Jeanine Cummins has created a poignant, coming-of-age tale which captures the reader and never lets go. The quest for one's identity, the desire for answers, and the need to belong are beautifully addressed in this fine novel. Cummins employs those themes to build the story to its climax and wraps the tale neatly into its satisfying conclusion. Christy Hurley is an outside boy; he lives outdoors, his traveller family is outside society's mainstream, and Christy feels himself to be an outsider even in his own life. Told his mother died shortly after his birth, Christy discovers a mysterious newspaper picture floating through the air when his cousin sets fire to the wagon holding his deceased grandfather's body. He sets out to learn the identity of the woman in the picture. With the help of quirky Mrs. Hanley who owns the bookstore, Christy ultimately uncovers the truth about his parentage. In doing so, he comes to accept himself and his life and, eventually, to forgive those who have protected him through the years. Jeanine Cummins has produced an outstanding book that almost anyone can enjoy. The characters have strong personalities; each has unique qualities that strengthens their role in the narrative and adds depth to the novel. Emotions are real and will touch the reader deeply. In one of the most memorable scenes of the book, Christy leaves a medallion on his half-brother's pillow. That medallion is one his father gave to Christy's mother and that Christy has worn, all his life, in her memory. In doing so, Christy recognizes and accepts he is a Parvee, a gypsy, a traveller; the life he dreamed of is not what he thought it would be and is not his life. I fully expect to see this book become the basis for a movie in the vein of "My Girl" and "Billy Elliot." It is a bittersweet, poignant story filled with real, complex emotions and peopled by memorable individuals. You will not be disappointed if you choose this book; it is one you will be unable to put down once you begin reading. It is a story you will read and remember, and will then recommend to your friends.

Christy Hurley is a Pavee, an Irish Traveler, a gypsy. His life is as full and complete as an eleven year old boy's life can be, except for one thing - Christy misses his mother terribly, and has every day of his life. Christy's mother died giving birth to him which makes Christy feel guilty for having killed her. Other than that Christy is quite happy, he and his father travel across Ireland with a small band of their family - his grandparents, Aunt and Uncle and their children. Life is grand until things begin to change, his grandfather dies and then the family finally locates a parish priest who will allow Christy ad his cousin to attend school long enough to make their much belated First Communions. While living in the town surrounded daily by the 'buffers', Christy feels very much an outsider. Even at home Christy discovers that he no longer understands as much about himself or his family as he thought. This coming of age story overs the reader a great insight into this vanishing culture. The story is set in 1959, Christy and his family were still traveling the countryside in horse drawn caravans. They lived outside of government interference, their births and deaths were registered only with the Church, their children attended school rarely. They passed through the Irish culture but were not a part of it. As Christy first learns about and then comes to grips with his past we see insurmountable distance between the Irish and Pavee worlds.