This is the story of Cyril Avery from Ireland. It follows his life from childhood to old age and that of the people he loves. It is also an indictment of prejudice and a reinforcement that kindness and love are always in place.
Cyril is adopted as his parents often tell him. His father is a rich bank executive and his mother a novelist. When Cyril is seven, he meets his best friend, Julian, although he doesn't see him again for several years when they end up at the same school and roommates. Cyril has a secret that is unimaginable to tell anyone in religion soaked Ireland. He is gay which the priests are quick to tell everyone is a sin.
Cyril's life moves from Ireland to Amsterdam to New York and finally back to Dublin. Along the way, he learns to accept his sexuality. He meets a doctor in Amsterdam who becomes the love of his life and together they take in a street kid who becomes their son. The two move to New York so that his mate can work in the AIDS epidemic and stay there until a tragedy occurs that takes Cyril back to Ireland to reunite with the only woman he ever loved, Julian's sister, Alice. After much apology as he left her soon after their wedding, the two become friends again.
John Boyne is an Irish author best known for his work, The Boy In The Striped Pajamas. This novel is stunning in its wisdom and the ability to draw in the reader. It puts Ireland on display for its prejudice and inability to welcome anyone different and the reliance on religion to determine one's life and the total power given to the priests there for so many years. Cyril is a wonderful character who will live on in my memory for a long time. This book is recommended for readers of literary fiction.
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