Epic and sprawling novel about a flawed gay man

• Published: 2017
• Completed: 09/08/2024
• Pages: 588

So…I am finding it very hard to write a review about this epic and sprawling novel, “The Heart’s Invisible Furies” by John Boyne. There is just so much going on that it’s a bit intimidating to find an angle to approach it. A super high level summary of the novel, is that it follows the life of the central gay character, Cyril Avery, from conception to death. It is a very dense novel that covers many genres and is at times deeply ugly but at others, flippant and joyous. I started off loathing the deplorable main character but by the end, had grown affectionate of his campy and sarcastic ways, despite him not changing much. I’m glad that this was selected for book club because it’s unlikely I would have selected by myself to read. Well worth the effort.

New Words

• Taoiseach
• TD = Teachta Dála (MP)
• Sláinte

Questions & Thoughts

Curious how people feel about gay married men having affairs? P215 (Cyril & Ciaràn)

Ratings

• Ailsa: 9.75
• Hayley: 9
• Liz:
• Sarah:
• Sally: 9
• Steph: Did not finish
• Thành: 9

Restaurant

The Moseley