You know what I loved about Boy’s Life by Robert McCammon? Pretty much everything. I have only one complaint: That I will never achieve this measure of glory as a writer. In my view—and it may have a little something to do with me growing up in rural Alabama as an imaginative kid who loved monsters and wanted to be a writer, just like our main character Cory Mackenson – McCammon has created a perfect thing. This is a wonderful novel that truly earns that adjective, because it captures the genuine wonder of a young creative mind that’s pitted against the ugly realities of the adult world, resulting in an exciting, enthralling and emotionally bittersweet story that feels truly timeless in its themes. The book is a coming-of-age mystery/adventure with standout characters both hilarious and horrifying, with a richly detailed plot all set in a magical small town that is shrinking away with the changing times.
Throughout the overarching storyline of a mysterious murder witnessed by Cory and his father, McCammon tells his tale through a number of vignettes that read like standalone stories, each brimming with fascinating figures, thorny themes, and fantastical celebrations of what it feels like to be young and imaginative, before the rotten ol’ world beats the imagination out of so many of us. Through Cory’s adventures with various monsters (I won’t give away plot points), evil men, vengeful ghosts, youthful crushes, close friends and bitter enemies, McCammon has achieved the monumental task of time travel, taking me back to my youth for a nostalgic roller-coaster ride of fun, fright, heartache and victory.
If I’m not mistaken, Mr. McCammon still lives somewhere around Central Alabama. So do I. I met him once at a local book signing. Nice guy. We don’t hang out. I wish we did, because I know there’s a lot I could learn from him. So, until he and I become close friends, I’ll happily stick to my role as Big Fan. I’ve read a number of McCammon’s books, but none have connected with me with near the impact of Boy’s Life. In fact, very few books ever have, leading me to proclaim this publicly, here and now, as my favorite novel of all time.
Thanks for your work, Mr. McCammon. One day I’ll read this to my young, imaginative son, who is currently growing up in a small (magical) town in Alabama.
— M. Weber
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