Tom Kelly (1) (1950–)

Spoiler Alert

This is a very literary--too literary, I think, for the target audience--work focusing on sibling grief: one brother's feeling of responsibility for the accidental drowning death of his identical twin, Finn. Not much happens for probably the first 100-150 pages. The first person, rather random (and sometimes highly metaphorical) narration by protagonist Danny, is difficult to penetrate--even for an adult. There are lists, odd footnotes, and acronyms added into the mix. I can't see the kids I know persisting with this book. Furthermore, the very British idiom creates a further barrier for young Canadian and American readers. This is a quality work, but not a sufficiently accessible one. The many references to farts and excretory processes/products seems a bit too studied and forced--the author's effort at realism or an attempt to leaven otherwise quite somber material?… (más)

This is a great book that deserves a much larger readership than it has. It's told with the right amount of emotion for the story of a young boy dealing with bereavement; but is balanced out with childish wit and philosophy that makes it believable.
Some of the symbolism could seem a little self-concious in places, but this somehow just adds to the story's charm, and Danny's character. Kelly has characterised his narrator brilliantly, giving real insight into the ten-year-old's mindset and creating a genuine and likable character.
The short, digressive chapters make the book simple and quick to read, but a wholly fulfilling one, provided you don't mind a few fart jokes.… (más)

I gave this book 3.5 stars out of 5 because it is good but not great (or even fabulous). Though it was an interesting read, it was not my kind of book. The manner in which the story is told, with headings at the tops of the pages and the flipping from past to present is a little distracting. The book itself is seperated into 3 main parts: thinking, doing and going - all of which make more sense when you read the book. Although this book features two 10 year old boys, it isn't necessarily suitable for all 10 year old boys as it contains some lessons in self awareness that might be too deep for some younger readers. As a first book, this one is worth reading but only once.… (más)

This is the same book as Finn's Going.

This book is one of the best I have read this year (and I have read a lot of books this year!). The protagonist and narrator is a 10 year old struggling over the events surrounding his twin brother's "going" (I won't say more to avoid spoilers). But what makes this book so special is the way the author really gets in the head of a 10 year old. This book really reminds you of what it was like to think like a 10 year old.

On top of that it is a very good bit of writing. Not that it is uniquely good, but it is a first novel, and based on the calibre of this writing I cannot wait to read his second.

This book deserves to be a classic. It deserves to be much better known than it is now. You won't regret reading it.… (más)