'The Heart's Invisible Furies' follows the life of Cyril Avery, a gay Irish man born out of wedlock in 1945, as he navigates through the challenges of growing up in a conservative Catholic Ireland. The novel spans over 70 years, depicting Cyril's struggles with his identity, relationships, and the societal prejudices he faces. Through vivid storytelling and emotional depth, the book explores themes of family, love, forgiveness, and self-acceptance, set against the backdrop of Ireland's history and cultural norms.
The narrative style of 'The Heart's Invisible Furies' is described as compelling, humorous, poignant, and informative, capturing the reader's attention with its Irish lilt and first-person immediacy. The story unfolds in seven-year intervals, similar to a documentary series, showcasing Cyril's journey from birth to old age, his experiences with love, loss, and acceptance, and the evolving social landscape of Ireland. The novel delves into the hypocrisies of the Catholic Church, the struggles of homosexuality in the mid-20th century, and the complex relationships that shape Cyril's life.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include depictions of homophobia, violence, sexual abuse, and themes surrounding mental health and societal rejection.
Has Romance?
The novel features significant romantic relationships, primarily focusing on the protagonist's journey through unrequited love and eventual acceptance of his sexual identity.
From The Publisher:
Named Book of the Month Club's Book of the Year, 2017
Selected one of New York Times Readers' Favorite Books of 2017
Winner of the 2018 Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award
From the beloved New York Times bestselling author of The Boy In the Striped Pajamas, a sweeping, heartfelt saga about the course of one man's life, beginning and ending in post-war Ireland
Cyril Avery is not a real Avery - or at least, that's what his adoptive parents tell him. And he never will be. But if he isn't a real Avery, then who is he?
Born out of wedlock to a teenage girl cast out from her rural Irish community and adopted by a well-to-do if eccentric Dublin couple via the intervention of a hunchbacked Redemptorist nun, Cyril is adrift in the world, anchored only tenuously by his heartfelt friendship with the infinitely more glamourous and dangerous Julian Woodbead. At the mercy of fortune and coincidence, he will spend a lifetime coming to know himself and where he came from - and over his many years, will struggle to discover an identity, a home, a country, and much more.
In this, Boyne's most transcendent work to date, we are shown the story of Ireland from the 1940s to today through the eyes of one ordinary man. The Heart's Invisible Furies is a novel to make you laugh and cry while reminding us all of the redemptive power of the human spirit.
Ratings (59)
Incredible (25) | |
Loved It (19) | |
Liked It (10) | |
It Was OK (3) | |
Did Not Like (1) | |
Hated It (1) |
Reader Stats (164):
Read It (61) | |
Want To Read (71) | |
Did Not Finish (2) | |
Not Interested (30) |
4 comment(s)
This was a different kind of experience for me, in enjoyment I want to give it 4 but I know the story will stay with me for a long time and I was very moved by his life. I never been so angry at a fictional characters before but the awful way Cyril mother was treated by the priest and other people around her was just infuriating, and that's not a made up situation. Women did get shuned by their loves ones and those around simply by getting pregnant out of wedlock. Gha! The books continues the story of Cyril and it's just as moving. Really liked the book, it's a chunker but I would most likely read it again
The bad news is that the book could have used a bit more trimming as there were a few scenes that seemed only to extend the length of the book without really enhancing it. The good news is that I thought it was wonderful. It is an intimate portrait of one human being's life and all of those who orbit him written with a lightness and wit that really pads the inevitable sad moments. By the end you feel that you're part of Cyril's family. A truly enjoyable read.
My heart would swell, and then get ripped into a million pieces. Wash, rinse, repeat. But this book was amazing and worth every tear!
****4.0****
This novel feels like an angry dedication towards Ireland's view or discouragement on Homosexuality.
Spanning almost 70 years of Cyril Avery (who definitely is not a REAL Avery)'s Life which includes his biological mother, adopted parents and his own, the novel is almost hilarious and almost sad.
John Boyne definitely knows how to speak about unspeakable. Funny narration, great characters and a lovely story, except that it was a bit long for me.
Happy Reading!!
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The Heart's Invisible Furies?
About the Author:
John Boyne was born in Ireland in 1971. He is the author of eleven novels for adults, five for younger readers and a collection of short stories. His 2006 novel The Boy In the Striped Pajamas sold 9 million copies worldwide…
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