Featured Review: The Boy who Lived with Ghosts

Discuss the October 2013 book of the month "The Boy who Lived with Ghosts" by John Mitchell.
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Pamela_Jeanette
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Re: Featured Review: The Boy who Lived with Ghosts

Post by Pamela_Jeanette »

This is a heart breaking story in a first person perspective of a boy named John. This story follows his childhood in a poor home. John talks to you as he deals with death, child neglect, poverty, a parent's alcohol abuse, bullying and coming of age. You will laugh and cry as John reminds that us we even though we struggle we have a lot to be greatful for.
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holsam_87
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Post by holsam_87 »

The paranormal aspect sounds very intriguing.
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Post by vinkipc »

Great review. Told in the main protagonist perspective. The story is emotional has it deal with main protagonist's childhood experiences. This experiences can be disturbing as they include issues like child molestation and abuse. Thank you for such a unique book and a review too.
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Post by jjmainor »

Kind of sounds depressing. I've been working on family dramas in the past year, and while the issues I've dealt with haven't been as dark as molestation, they still get to me as the author. While you make it sound like a worthwhile read, I'm not sure I want to submerge myself into more of these depressing issues.
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Post by goldengal1315 »

When many people hear or read the word ghost they immediately believe the paranormal is involved and for that we have modern media to blame. But prior to Beetlejuice's friends popping up on multiple cable channels each evening there was another meaning of the word " ghost ". It meant a memory or series of events so traumatizing it haunted an individual. Certainly child abuse and molestation qualify. I enjoyed the several pages of the sample I have read, the perspective of an adult looking back on a clearly very difficult and unfortunate childhood. Hopefully I will find that he found some solace and understanding as he grew older and perhaps continued healing as he wrote.
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Post by ccrews0408 »

Nice review! The paranormal aspect of the book intrigues me but I would have to read the sample to make a final decision.
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Post by Jgideon »

I am curious about the experiences that made John's childhood heart-breaking. Sounds like a good read.
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Post by CinWin »

I agree with you that it can be confusing to read this through the perspective of a child but the more I read, the less confused I became. Thanks for the great review!
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Post by Nandy »

A wonderful review which I could not have done better myself. At first I was not interested in this book but as I read it's synopsis I was completely taken. It seems to be a very good read
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Post by TheTrueNyree »

Sounds like it could be an interesting read. My neice is very into horror, she probably would like it. I may watch a horror film every once in a while, but I dont think I would want to read it. Nor anything with abusing children, that is too much of a soft spot having lived through it myself. Congratulations on BOTD though.
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Post by Manang Muyang »

I found the sample fascinating. Using the language of a small boy is brilliant. I wonder when John's older sister will stop bullying him. Based on what I have read so far, the ghosts are flesh and blood. I hope to read the rest of John's story.

P.S. John's version of the "Our Father" is memorable. He had me at "hello."
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Post by bellaterrabooks »

Perhaps through the innocent position of childhood, the author is able to trigger the profound emotions that accompany abuse. Given that this book presents disturbing imagery and addresses complex topics, the adult perspective laced with passionate emotions while a child’s viewpoint would not recognize these deep feelings. A child does not recognize what is happening, thus they are unable to process their reality for what it truly is in the moment. It is only in hindsight that children can see their circumstances. It is possible that the author sought to write about a sensitive subject by using the delicacy of youth.
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Post by kfwilson6 »

I'm not interested in reading anything that discusses child abuse. The writing in the sample is very difficult to read due to the fact that every other sentence seems to be missing a comma. I found it frustrating to try to get through. Definitely passing on this despite my usual interest in things that involve ghots.
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Post by mariakavo88 »

Wow. It sounds like this book brings about a lot of emotions and really makes you feel. This is often times hard to come by and even more impressive that the book was written from a child's perspective. It sounds like a great book that encompasses human nature and the cruelties that one can face and endure. Thanks for the review.
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Post by Samy Lax »

Wow! This is one book that I can recommend to book lovers of all genres. John's story is truly fascinating.
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