Boy O’Boy

A review of Boy O'boy by Brian Doyle

Published on April 1, 2004

Boy O’boy
Brian Doyle

Groundwood Books
$12.95
0-88899-590-3

Brian Doyle’s Boy O’Boy unfolds in Ottawa’s Lowertown during World War II. Martin O’Boy must deal with a mentally disabled twin brother, fighting parents, and the death of his grandmother. But Martin finds enjoyment in his cat, his friend Billy, movies, and his idol, Buz, who is off at war. To earn extra money, Martin and Billy join the boys’ choir of a local church. The choir organist takes an unhealthy liking to Martin and acts on his feelings. Martin and Billy pay the organist back with a dose of revenge. Doyle offers a powerful and insightful story for young adults, and succeeds in providing some humour while dealing with a sensitive subject. mRb

Carol-Ann Hoyte is the Quebec English-language regional coordinator for TD Canadian Children's Book Week and organizer of monthly mixers for Montreal anglophone children's book authors and illustrators.

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