The Butcher Boy: A brutally good read

7:40pm Wednesday 19th November 2008

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Well, there you go. As predicted, I've done largely little for the past day or so except read. Now I feel a bit shell-shocked, but I suspect The Butcher Boy by Patrick McCabe has that effect on most people who read it.

As it says on the back cover, it moves imperceptibly from the childlike logic of young innocence to the sinister workings of a deranged mind.

Narrated by Francie, it tells of his young life in an Irish town, with his ma and da, his best friend Joe and his relationships with his neighbours.

It's compelling because you are trapped in the bizarre and fluid workings of Francie's mind and the frightening mix of humour and horror therein.

Unfortunately, it's hard to tell you more without giving away the disturbing and incredibly sad plot.

But if you can handle being stuck inside the mind of a psycopath for a few days, get stuck in. You won't forget it.