Boys Don’t Cry by Fíona Scarlett

What a fantastic debut novel from the shiny new talent that is Fíona Scarlett! A gritty emotional tale of family loyalty, love & grief, Boys Don’t Cry is an excellent read and one that will be talked about for a long time to come. Sure to be spotted on some ‘Best Books of 2021’ lists.

Many thanks to NetGalley and to Faber & Faber for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

I absolutely devoured this book in 2 sittings, and it destroyed me.

I don’t want to say much and give any of the story away, but you will need tissues here ok. Poor Finn becoming ill and him coming to understand what is making him ill is such a hard thing to read. The emotion you get from him in the book, at a young 12 years old is so moving. But what got me more was the love between the brothers, which is more prominent in the second half of the book. The sketches are a lovely touch too.

Fiona Scarlett has written a great story, full of brilliant descriptions of life in ‘the Jax’, it felt like I was there. The local slang and accents, the residents and the local hooligans, it all is so real. It’s a story of love and hope, and a lot of hard life knocks in there too. I’d definitely recommend you read it, massive thumbs up from me.

Thanks again to Faber and Faber, Negalley, and as always the Author, Fiona Scarlett.

This book will inevitably get compared with Shuggie Bain and that's a bit of a pity as it deserves to be out on its own as a wonderful piece of writing. It's just as gritty but far less depressing! Well, more hopeful in any case.
We follow two brothers - Finn and Joe - as they negotiate life in very differing ways. Living in a tower block in Dublin, they are determined to make more of their lives than their parents. Determined not to go to the dark places. But determination isn't enough when circumstances strike and with their father being who and what he is, it isn't long before... well... you'll have to read the book to find that out. Finn falls ill, very ill, and Joe is also trying to look after his friend who has fallen on tough times. With his father out of the picture (for a while anyway) it falls on his shoulders to be the man of the house (flat) and put aside his own hopes and dreams to, well, man up...
This book was harrowing in places, and hopeful in others. It had exactly the right balance of dark and light to keep it on an even keel throughout. There are moments of such pain followed by some really rather funny interludes that kept me as a reader from going too far over to the dark places described. I laughed and cried in equal measure. I invested in the characters - that was easy, they are so well written - and quite often shouted my support, encouragement and warnings to the page as I was reading.
It's a wonderful snapshot of what life is really like for many people. It feels real all the way through and I was devastated at some of the outcomes along the way and also felt bereft at leaving the characters behind as the book finished. It's such a wonderful book all told that I was pretty shocked when I went to check the author's back catalogue and found it is a debut!
All in all an engrossing read that captured me early on and held me close all the way through. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Meet the O’Reilly boys. Joe and Finn. Two brothers who will capture your heart within five minutes of their introduction. Home is the Bojaxhui tower block on a Dublin City council estate with views of the mountains to one side and the Bay to the other. Living with Ma and Da in close proximity to the typical cast of characters who inhabit these flats and nearby streets, Fiona Scarlett deftly weaves an intoxicating tale of lives lived against a backdrop of grief,brotherly love and organised crime. It’s a stunning, powerful and profound tale which will grip you with its honesty and allow you to make the acquaintance you to two unforgettable characters.

There’s a brevity to the prose which I absolutely loved. No word is superfluous, every single word packs an emotional punch without being overly sentimental. Fiona Scarlett’s writing alternates between the dark and the light; an intensely moving reading experience that you will find hard to switch off from, as the two O’Reilly boys worm their way into your consciousness and take a stranglehold over your emotions. I implore everyone to read this novel for the succinctness of the prose and the beauty of a storyline that seeks to reveal hope amongst the stark reality of life living on a Dublin City council estate, boxed in by all the losers, scumbags, scroungers and druggies.

Both boys have distinctive voices, one reeking of disappointment, disillusionment and desperation, the other full of a vitality and exuberance common amongst the very young. I loved both of them for very different reasons. As a scholarship boy at a local private school St Augustines, Joe is a conflicted soul with one foot entrenched in estate life whilst the other has stepped into a world of privilege and advantage but he belongs in neither. Trying to escape the clutches of drug dealing boss Dessie Murphy who ensnares so many into his criminal underworld, including his Da, Joe fights tooth and nail to break the mould. His complicated friendship with Sabine tests his loyalties to the extreme and you wonder if he will succumb to mounting pressure to join the ‘gang’ amid fears for his brother’s health and loyalty to perhaps his only one true friend. In contrast, all Finn has to worry about is how to avoid being made goalkeeper yet again, spinning in a supermarket trolley, enjoying a Mr Whippy, sneaking into the cinema and delighting in the feel of the Dollymount sand between his toes. Joe and his ma have always kept him safe, both anchors in this uncertain life contaminated by drugs, deprivation and low lifes but some things are hard to fight against and not even the wealth of love that surrounds him will always be enough. As family life disintegrates alongside his failing health and Finn’s Ma starts to lose her grip, I wanted to scoop this boy up, revel in his innocence and goodness and protect him from all the injustices of this world. But Boys Don’t Cry is no fairy story and without a magic wand to hand I had to witness this storyline unravel along inevitable lines.

Although their voices may become increasingly tainted with the realities of their current circumstances, Fiona Scarlett brings levity to situations that make you smile and laugh through all the grimness and sadness. Surprisingly there is a hopefulness surrounding the O’Reilly boys that doesn’t falter and even when one has to carry on without the other, this hope cannot die, it flickers on through the turmoil and grief until those left behind feel able to celebrate, their ability and desire to cherish memories and remember the brilliance and ebullience of a well loved son and brother reignited. I was completely floored by writing that fluently expresses the highs and lows of the O’Reilly’s lives, eventually dissolving into a puddle of tears yet I can truthfully say I felt humbled to spend time in their presence. This heartbreaking novel deserves all the stars, not just the 5 I’ve so readily given. Read it, feel it and breathe it; this novel is alive with humanity. If you’re a fan of Roddy Doyle and/or Ann Griffin then I suggest you don’t miss out on Fiona Scarlett’s accomplished debut. She’s an author worth looking out for. My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read.

Books like this are the reason that not all good reads can be 5 stars - because we need to be able to signify that THIS book is top of the range, out of this world, awesome. Fíona Scarlett has produced a stunning debut. "Boys Don't Cry" is humorous and heartbreaking. The characters are vibrant, the towers on the estate almost tangible. Through a tale of two brothers, Scarlett explores various themes including poverty and living hand to mouth, grief, domestic violence and family ties. As the title suggests, we see what happens when emotions are suppressed and concealed. Through Joe's experience of education, Scarlett illustrates how equality of opportunity doesn't always mean equal treatment, especially by peers.

I also want to point out that "Boys Don't Cry" is an ideal length and I cannot tell you what a welcome relief that is, at a time when concentration is hard won. How wonderful it is to be able to read a book in a few hours, as opposed to days/weeks! Surely it's the mark of a truly gifted writer, to be able to package a story perfectly using fewer words? I loved every moment and read it in one sitting. An exciting new writer. Highly recommend!

This was a really well written and very moving story of 2 brothers. Joe was such a wonderful character and his love for his younger brother was so evident. Finn’s chapters were incredibly moving as he told the story of his diagnosis and his illness and I found myself wishing for a miracle for this brave young boy. The book was finished far too quickly for me and I really want to find out what happens next for Joe. He is so gifted and has such huge potential so a sequel would be fantastic!

This was an emotional , endearing story that gripped me from the first page. Days later i am still thinking about it and the two main characters, Joe and Finn and their relationships with others. Life is not always fair from the get go and these two boys are testament to that, yet the goodness of both in their different ways shines out. This story sucked me in.

Absolutely beautiful. So poignant and heartbreaking but with a detailed gritty reality sewn into every page. A skilful structure and wonderfully real characters. Loved it.

Joe, 17 and his brother Finn, 12 live on a Dublin estate with their Ma and Da. Ma is a loving figure, works in the local pub and cares for the boys while Da has a much more nebulous role. He is involved in crime and has a violent temper. There are schisms in this family. Joe is a talented artist and has won a scholarship to a prestigious private school. He is torn between his home background and the promising future which awaits him. But all of this is thrown into disarray when Finn becomes ill.

Told by the two boys, this is a heartbreaking story. We are with Finn as he receives his diagnosis which he doesn't really understand. We are also with Joe as he struggles to cope with the death of his brother, his mother's reaction and his father's imprisonment.

I adored this book. It is so full of love in spite of everything. Finn especially is a character who will stay with me forever. Thanks to NetGalley and Faber for the ARC.

Boys Don't Cry is one of those novel that really stays with you. The characters comes alive on the page, the emotions are so vivid you have to join in as Joe and Finn take you through the highs and lows of their lives.
I absolutely love the strong voice, the gritty settings and the intricate drama that seems to be filled with hope even when everything seems lost.
Fiona Scarlett's debut is not to be missed - absolutely brilliant! 5 well deserved stars.

Joe is 17 and has a scholarship to a private school, as he determinedly turns his back on "Uncle Dezzie", his Da and the gangs of the Dublin estate where they live. We quickly discover that his younger brother, 12 year old Finn, has his own cancer battle ahead.

The story flits between 2 timelines. "Before" told by Finn and "After" told by Joe. The sibling love between Finn and Joe is beautifully rendered and shines out on every page.

Boys Don't Cry tells of critical illness, grief, family, love, friendship, poverty, estate life & gangs. A quick read that had me weeping buckets by the end. I'm looking forward to reading more by the author.

Fiona Scarlett’s debut novel is a brilliant piece of storytelling that follows two teenage brothers, Joe and Finn, as they navigate their lives in a working-class Dublin family. Whilst Finn faces the tragic news that he has cancer, Joe has an equally traumatic time coping with Finn’s ultimate death and struggles to do the right thing when it comes to breaking the cycle of criminal activity as his Dad returns to prison. The dual narrative and chronology of the novel are astute - not a single word feels wasted in a novel that is fast-paced and deeply moving. Beyond the meaningful depiction of the brotherly relationship, Scarlett also explores the tensions that arise in terms of social class, family dynamic, romantic relationships and grief. Further, I also thought it was a particularly excellent depiction of masculinity and the struggles that Joe faces in finding his identity when he doesn’t want to end up like his Dad and has lost the brother he loved dearly. Rest assured, there are also many moments of humour and tenderness between the characters that are nostalgic and heartwarming and will remind you about the highs and lows of adolescence, as well as the wider joy and grief in life. A thoroughly enjoyable read and an extremely impressive debut novel. I look forward to reading more from Fiona Scarlett in the future.

Thanks to Faber and Faber Ltd via NetGalley for my proof copy.

This was a wonderful read, which really captured my attention by the end of the novel. However, I did find the beginning a little confusing until I appreciated that not only is the narrative being told from two points of view (Finn, aged 12, and Joe age 17) but that their timelines intercepted but varied. It reminded me of Pulp Fiction at times, so my recommendation is to just go with it and have a box of tissues to hand for that moment when the pieces of jigsaw fit together. I was quite confused by the absence/presence of ‘Da’ initially until I understood the varying time stamp of each chapter.
The story is set on a Dublin estate and felt gritty but realistically reflected. Joe, just entering manhood, is trying to find his place in the world. He has won a scholarship to a private school, but is clearly uncomfortable in his surroundings, yet also estranged from the neighbourhood which he has grown up in. The lure of a life of crime, following in his father’s footsteps, is evident and his deep-held desire to help those in need around him is quite persuasive.
Finn is a young child in this book, but life in unpredictable and he is dealt an unfair hand. The relationship between the two brothers in the face of adversity, illness and parental absence is simultaneously heart-breaking and heart-warming.

Marian Keyes said she had to go back to bed after reading this and let me tell you I feel that.
Boys Don't Cry is about 2 brothers trying to navigate life - and death - in working-class Dublin, both with and without each other. It's honest about tough subjects and doesn't gloss over the reality it represents. The characters were so vivid and their narratives flowed together so gently, but in a way that felt fundamentally very real. The whole O'Reilly family were tangible to me and the complex influences of grief, class and masculinity on their lives was depicted so well.
Boys Don't Cry packed a proper emotional punch and - although I'm still low-key teary about it - I'm really glad to have read it.

Life for this family in Dublin had it challenges but the love these brothers had for each other was not one of them. The bond between Finn and Joe was so real and deep. Life is so unpredictable. One day things are going smoothly and then you blink and that life is over. This book is about. A family , a neighborhood, faced adversaries and through all this humor , dedication and love still exist.

One to look out for, especially for fans of Shuggie Bain

“‘’Hey Skinner,’ he shouts, right into the back. ‘Out there we have Frank O’Reilly’s lad,’ and Skinner’s out to get a good look too. ‘Welcome.’ Skinner comes round, wants to do the honours of taking me in. ‘We had bets on, you know,’ he says, opening the doors with lanyard and pin, his smooth clean white hands, while leading me back into the holding cells. ‘Wondering when you’d make your appearance.’

Boys might not cry but I certainly did while reading this amazing debut novel by Fíona Scarlett. We follow the O’Reilly brothers, Joe and Finn, in a dual narrative that shows us what it means to grow up in the Jax when you’re the sons of one of the sidekicks of a gang leader, and the struggle of escaping the family legacy when things start to fall apart and Finn gets sick. It’s a story about love and grief, heartbreaking and raw.

So if you like to feel like your heart is being ripped out of your chest and you enjoy a good weeping, this is the book for you.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

A truly beautiful, yet heartbreaking read.
Boys Don't Cry follows a family dealing with the loss of their 12 year old son/brother due to cancer.
You follow the family through their grief, and how it impacts the family dynamics, as well as their personal growth.
The relationship between the two brothers, 17 year old Joe and 12 year old Finn, was my favourite thing to read about - so intense and pure! Making the sad parts of the novel even more heart wrenching!
I recommend this book so so highly, and has now become one of my favourite books of this year so far.

This is an incredibly powerful, painful, and beautifully written novel. It had me sobbing at multiple points, and I really can’t recommend it enough. Scarlett touches on themes of grief, loss, family, poverty and class so nimbly, whilst crafting a story in which all the characters feel so real and believable that at points I had to put the book down because it felt *too* real.

This book is heartbreaking and wonderful, and, for me, a must-read.

This is a splendid debut. A wonderful read, harrowing and full of humanity and compassion. We have a narrative of growing up in a housing estate in inner city Dublin, explored though the eyes of two brothers, 12-year-old Finn and 17-year Joe. As their father, a local gangster, goes to prison for murder, we follow them as they go through their personal battles as 12-year Finn fights against a life-threatening illness and his older brother Joe, uncomfortable both at the private school he entered through a scholarship and at the local pub where he is now an outsider, struggles not to become like his father and to resist the pressure coming from the local -like mobster who has ruined the lives of many, including his father. The author has superb command of language, manages to render the unsaid, the unspoken love and grief, and she effectively evokes extremely disturbing situations just by hinting at them. The characters are complex and masterfully rendered with compassionate eyes, with love and hope shining even in the darkest moments.

I am grateful to the publisher for an ARC via NetGalley.

Finn and Joe are two brothers, aged 12 and 17, living in the flats on the edges of Dublin city. Poverty, crime, and punishment is part and parcel of life for the two, but they eke out moments of beauty and love in this bleak landscape, finding solace and joy in friendship, community and art. When tragedy strikes, Finn and Joe will be tested - as will everyone around them.

This short, compelling debut from Dublin writer Fíona Scarlett evokes Dublin city in all it’s cruelty and beauty, telling Joe and Finn’s stories without ever resorting to poverty porn. I don’t know much about Scarlett’s background so can’t speak to that, but Boys Don’t Cry feels rich and authentic, showing us more than just the grimness of life in the flats. The novel uses 2 narrative voices - Finn and Joe, past and present - and spins a simple story, enriched by a living, breathing portrait of the city, and some wonderful characters. Finn and Joe themselves are entirely separate voices, something that’s impressive in and of itself when you’re writing 2 boys who are very alike. The surrounding cast are made up largely of strong, supportive women, who are willing to guide our boys wherever they can.

It’s really hard to write about this book without spoiling the aforementioned tragedy - a twist that becomes apparent early on, but really is the central focus of the book. I will say that it absolutely laid me out: it touched a nerve on a personal level, but Scarlett’s deftness of touch and gentleness of tone makes it all the harder to stomach in its brutality. You’d have to have a heart of stone not to be touched by it.

Boys Don’t Cry isn’t a perfect novel - one scene towards the end of the book left me confused, and the reader isn’t given any real resolution and could have been executed better. But it’s still a joy to read, immersive, charming and written with deep love and raw honesty. It’s available on April 22nd & I strongly recommend picking it up. Thanks again to @netgalley and @faberbooks for the proof copy.