The Heart's Invisible Furies - John Boyne
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I am rarely drawn to a BookTok book with lots of hype, but that is how I found The Heart's Invisible Furies. I liked the subject matter, and then I realised John Boyne wrote The Boy in the Stripped Pyjamas, and I knew I had to read it.
Two-Sentence Summary
Tackling some heartbreaking historical events with humour and skill. The Heart's Invisible Furies lives up to all the hype.
Synopsis
The Heart’s Invisible Furies is a sweeping novel that follows the life of Cyril Avery, a man born in 1940s Ireland to an unwed teenage mother and adopted by an eccentric, distant couple.
As he grows up, Cyril struggles to find his place in a rigid and judgmental society, grappling with identity, love, and belonging. This is incredibly complex as Cyril finds himself gay in an Ireland that rules homosexuality illegal.
The novel spans decades and continents and traces his journey through a world that is often unkind yet filled with moments of humour, hope, and redemption.
Through Cyril’s experiences, the story explores themes of family, friendship, and the quest for authenticity in a changing world.
Impressions
When I finished this book, it was a clear four stars for me. Now, I believe it might be five, as I have not stopped thinking about it since I put it down. It is an epic story full of sadness and humour. It also has a brilliant structure that keeps you reading long past bedtime.
Each chapter is seven years after the last one. You start each, trying to pick up the threads of where Cyril is now in his life. This is not to deter those who prefer shorter chapters, as each chapter is divided into small subsections—think mini-chapters or sub-chapters.
The book is deeply critical of gay life in Ireland, and on an initial read, you would think it is deeply critical of religion. Having read it, I now wonder if it was as critical as I thought.
Throughout the story, the characters meet up often by accident, and the casual reader would say it is a little too coincidental that all these people's lives are entwined. I now wonder whether this was deliberate and whether Boyne was trying to tell us a higher power was controlling their many meetings.
The book is well-researched, and the author tackles life in Ireland and other significant historical events, such as the AIDS epidemic and 911. The historical facts are well portrayed in the book, but it can sometimes feel like Boyne was trying to cram in every historical event.
The characters in the book are well-written and draw you to them. They are flawed and change, but likeable that you never lose heart with them. Cyril is a brilliant character, but the supporting characters are just as endearing and well written. The house Cyril grew up in also becomes one of the story's characters.
In true Boyne style, there are some jaw-dropping moments, as at the end of The Boy in the Stripped Pyjamas—moments you have to re-read because you are never sure you have read them right. There are also some hugely comic elements to the story, and there were times I was laughing out loud. Not to give spoilers, but the female connected to Cyril in later life produces some brilliant banter and dialogue.
You do not have to be a fan of gay fiction to pick this up, it is a story that has something for everyone. Cyril will be in my heart for many years to come. If you haven't picked up a copy, I urge you to do so. The Heart's Invisible Furies is a unique book that lives up to its hype.
My six uncles, their dark hair glistening with rose-scented lacquer, sat next to her in ascending order of age and stupidity.