The Heart's Invisible Furies

John Boyne's tale of one man's life, all but from conception to death, is a funny, poignant, moving and at times heartbreaking story as much about Ireland as about its lead character, Cyril Avery. From high farce it turns on a sixpence to dark introspection, the literary equivalent of spinning plates, which it achieves with consummate ease and a very deft hand. From the opening paragraph (surely the perfect example of 'how to hook your readers with your very first line') to its final words it makes for compelling reading you both want to devour and yet never want to end.Given the book is written by a gay Irish man there is more than a little to the story that is autobiographical, or at least extrapolated, as the author himself reveals in the touchingly honest afterword. He admits that his success as a writer to date gave him free rein to make of this novel what he has, juggling a range of styles and including a number of issues that are important to him personally. Not that this is to the novel's detriment in any way: it helps tell a full and complex story that will linger in the memory for a long time.As triumphant as the novel is, its very nature dictates that it can never be as satisfying as it perhaps could be. As the narrative shifts forward seven years every 70 pages or so, covering the 70 years in the life of the aforementioned Cyril Avery, it focuses on key events and smaller moments but with far more going unsaid than is written on the page. In this sense, while its cast of characters is memorable and for the most part beautifully drawn, the shifting timeframe means that some are quicker sketches than others. One disappointment for me personally is that we don't really get to know Bastiaan, arguably the most important man in Cyril's life, as well as we ought to. (This coincides with the one section of the novel I felt was the least successfully indulgent, if you like, shining an otherwise admirable spotlight on the AIDS crisis of the 1980s and sacrificing characterisation a little in the process.)Purely in terms of credulity the weak point of the narrative is that it involves a series of unlikely coincidences, with Cyril encountering key characters again and again in his life - which would require less suspension of disbelief if the setting did not change repeatedly throughout, taking the story to other countries and even other continents. It also gives itself permission at times to adopt traditionally filmic elements, which make the story no less satisfying (indeed more so in parts) but rather make it feel like the author is already planning his adapted screenplay for when the novel is turned into a lavish six-part mini-series. The final chapter is the most obvious example of this.These gripes aside, however, I have nothing but good things to say about The Heart's Invisible Furies. From its laugh-out-loud moments via its thought-provoking interludes to scenes and sentiments that gave me pause to be thankful for what I have in life, it made for very rewarding reading. I often say with other books I've read that I would be happy to read them again; with this one I know for certain that I will return to it, hopefully many times.P.S. One question for anyone who's read it and can perhaps set me straight: was it just my imagination, did I miss something or does Cyril's conversation with Mrs Goggin about the aftermath of the events in Central Park not tally with the information given elsewhere in the book? (Twice a trial is mentioned, but Cyril later tells Mrs Goggin that the culprits were never caught.)

I gave up on this book like a few other people. I found the unrelenting sexual references unpalatable and thought the author was simply out to shock. The sexual references involving the Queen, Prince Philip and Princess Margaret were pathetic and utterly disrespectful. How audacious can an author be? Where is all the author's anger and hate stemming from? The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas was enthralling and no wonder it went on to become a wonderful film. The dialogue that took place between two 7 year old boys in this strange book was ridiculous. They sounded like 2 very well educated students from Eton and as another reviewer noted, what 7 year old boy is obsessed with sex? A very unsettling book and the subject content was just over the top.

I find this a difficult book to review.The author has a very easy style and although this book runs to 700 pages it certainly doesn't feel like. The story is also told linearly so, for the most part, there is only one story line to remember.The storyline is principally centred around the sexual awakening and maturing of a male homosexual born into a very illiberal uncompromising Ireland at the end of WW2. Indeed the message throughout the book is that Irish society is in the dark ages.However , I feel the book addresses Irish attitudes to homosexuality in a way that is somewhat confusing. The author tries to make humour out of people's ignorance and adherence to Catholic doctrine, but as a reader I felt at times both offended and angry on behalf of those derided. I also thought that the people espousing such unpalatable views were something of a caricature and therefore unconvincing.Personally I also rather struggled with the degree to which the main characters from their infancy (well, 7 yrs upwards) were so consumed by sex. Sex is pretty much first and last until you get halfway through the book, by which time our main characters are middle-aged. Are children really so all-consumed? Perhaps some are, but it's not my personal experience.But in amongst the material I wasn't particularly persuaded by (but then again I'm heterosexual so that may be a factor) I found some of the writing very touching. The problems facing unmarried mothers and, most powerfully, anyone who contracted the HIV virus when it first appeared, are handled to great affect.So, something of an up and down read for me.

I have read many books by John Boyne and always admired him as a writer. The Heart's Invisible Furies is such a wonderful book. Moving, funny, heartbreaking at times but incredible. Cyril Avery was such an endearing character and the reader couldn't help but like him. A portrait of homosexuality in Ireland in the forties and through to the nineties, eye opening at times to the cruel treatment of the men. However this story is also one of hope and enlightenment and essentially of love. I loved every minute of this book and almost didn't want it to end. A true masterpiece - an epic story. One to remember

It had been a while since I had read a book by this author but I had heard good things about this one so was keen, although had no idea what it was about apart from the blurb on the back.At over 700 pages it is a brick of a book and it's clear from the Contents page that this is an epic story, spanning the second half of the twentieth century. The version I read didn't seem to be a huge book but there were a lot of pages and I decided that the pages must have been very thin.It's a brilliant start. The setting is Dublin just before the end of the Second World War with a pregnant girl and two men. A boy is born to set up the rest of the story amongst the prejudice and political unrest of an unsettled Ireland.Each chapter has a title which hints toward it's contents and works very well.In between the social commentary there is a lot of humour in this novel. Cyril, the main character, has a sharp observational wit that is frequently shown.Gradually the plot builds up and the well thought through structure is revealed as Cyril ages. A lot happens in Cyril's life, making this a dense read which was worth taking time to read and digesting it slowly. It isn't a book that can be picked up for a few minutes. We visit Cyril every 7 years throughout his life. Each time quickly catching up since the last visit and ending on some sort of major event (I loved the anticipation at the start of each section as I wanted to know what had been happening in his life).Alongside Cyril we are also shown a portrait of Ireland, being created to slow the changes in society with it's inevitable pressures effecting our characters in various ways.Dialogue often leads over other narrative giving context and meaning whilst moving the plot along. It's well written and well paced.I tried hard to make this book last longer as I was enjoying it very much but found that when I did get to the end it was satisfying. There is an Epilogue which is so much more than just another 7 year visit as we get a wonderfully reflective way to conclude. Also worthy of mention is the Authors Note at the very end which is a jump back into reality and gives much context.