I am on a book review spree right now! I be you haven’t seen this many reviews on consecutive days from me ever! This time I read 1967 – A Coming of Age Story by Richard W. Doornink.
Synopsis: “1967” depicts the precarious moment between childhood and adolescence in a thought-provoking, fun read that captures the mood of the era. It is a strongly written, moving account of a young boy taking his first steps to independence and true sense of self. Set in a small prairie town over a one year period, “1967” provides a wonderful portrait of a time and place long gone.
Seen from the young boy’s perspective, devoid of reflection, the reader is pulled along within the frame of his experience – his point of view, his language, and his understanding. It becomes clear that the boy’s “growing up” has less to do with physical development than with recovering a buried memory.
Lacking a real moral centre, the main character is an anti-hero but immensely likeable, for although he is canny and quick-witted, he is nevertheless an innocent child, prisoner of his cultural and social-economic class.
While “1967” provides a devastating look at an impoverished existence, empty of expressed love or gentle guidance, the evocative imagery and power that fuels the writing provides vivid proof that one can survive childhood.
I thought that this book was a fun way to experience the life of a young boy learning what it is like to make hard decisions and discover who he is. It definitely reminded me of my childhood and actually playing outside. Even the way that friends were made was just so casual as a child and it was fun to experience that again.
It definitely showed its time too as there were some references to words in this book that would not necessarily be widely accepted nowadays.
I think that the boy is trying to learn what it is to be a “man” and to build a stronger bond with his father but also be respectful and not step out of line either. It kind of reminded me of the movie A Christmas Story.
Overall, it was an interesting read. The innocence of being a child and all the hectic things you can get yourself into were definitely a highlight of the book and it will make you reminisce (depending on how old you are)! Even if you are younger, it shows you what life was like back then.
Book Rating: 3/5
You can buy this book on Amazon and find it on Goodreads.
Disclaimer: This book was sent to me by the author in physical format to read and give an honest review.
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These are all the worst and most disappointing books I have read in 2020! Let me know if you agree with any of these or what your worst or most disappointing reads were of the past year in the comments below! Check out the video below:
