The Heart’s Invisible Furies – John Boyne

100-Word (or Less) Synopsis: Cyril Avery is remarkable in the most unremarkable ways. Born in Ireland after World War II, he grows up (unconventionally), gets a job (paper pushing), discovers himself (a little seedy), makes mistakes (big ones), finds love (beautiful), experiences heartache (tragic) and eventually meets his end (not as sad as it sounds). With him throughout each of those experiences is a cast of inter-connected characters that provide the conscious and heart to Cyril’s journey.

Expectation: A sad, sweeping exploration of life, grief and second chances.   

Reality: All the above, plus humor and a sweet ending that leaves the story complete.  

Recommended For: People that like to laugh and cry, but mostly cry.

Why I Read It: It was listed as one of the top LGBT reads on Goodreads, and I really enjoyed Boyne’s “A Ladder to the Sky.”

My Take: At this rate, 2020 probably isn't going to be a year of great memories, but so far, I can claim two:

1.    I got married

2.    I discovered John Boyne.

In the two novels I've read — each very different from the other but both compulsively readable — Boyne's shown a finely tuned, yet completely accessible way of storytelling that in the span of a few pages can make you run the gauntlet of emotions.

That may sound like something many writers do, but really think about how many do it so well, so consistently, and in a way that doesn't feel manipulating?

Cyril feels like someone you know, which makes following his life and all its ups and downs, so rewarding. While some of the plots are difficult to stomach, and others a bit far-fetched, Boyne never completely loses the humanity that keeps you rooting for him and wanting to see what will happen next.

Honestly, I teetered back and forth between four and five stars, because even though I enjoyed "Furies" a lot, there was something a bit familiar to a few elements of the story.

Ultimately Boyne pieces the puzzle together in a way that felt authentic, and that's not easy to do with a large cast of characters that intersect at various points in time.

So if you're up for some laughs, a few cries and a decades spanning journey through love, loss, family and friendship, you can't go wrong here.

Rating (story): 4.5/5 stars

Rating (narration): 5/5 stars

Format: Audiobook (library loan)

Dates read: May 7 - May 15, 2020

Multi-tasking: Not recommended