I had cousins at sea. One was in the Cadets. I was wanting to join. My maw didnot want me to but my da said I could if I wanted it was a good life and yesaved y... » 

I had cousins at sea. One was in the Cadets. I was wanting to join. My maw didnot want me to but my da said I could if I wanted it was a good life and yesaved yer money except if ye were daft and done silly things. He said it tome. I would just have to grow up first. James Kelmans triumph in KieronSmith boy is to bring us completely inside the head of a child and remind uswhat strange and beautiful things happen in there. Here is the story of aboyhood in a large industrial city during a time of great social change. Kierongrows from age five to early adolescence amid the general trauma of everydaylifethe death of a beloved grandparent the move to a new home. A whole worldis brilliantly realized sectarian football matches ferryboats on the riverthe unfairness of being a younger brother climbing drainpipes trees androofs dogs cats sex and ghosts. This is a powerful often hilariousstartlingly direct evocation of childhood. «