Book Review - Honeybee By Craig Silvey

 Honeybee

By Craig Silvey

My Review:

This story captured my interest from the beginning. A fourteen year old boy standing on the wrong side of the bridge ready to jump. An elderly man smoking a cigarette at the other end of the bridge with the same intentions. What could make a young man at the beginning of his life want to make such a decision? What lead an old man, already near the end of his life, make the same choice? Was it fate or coincidence that brought them together this night?

The story unfolds from Sam's point of view. A transgender teenager battling to find his place in the world. With no family support or friends, his world spirals out of control. Then one fateful night Sam meets Vic. An elderly man also battling to find his place in the world after the death of his wife. Two lost souls that without choosing to, begin to give purpose to each others lives. 

Silvey writes with a style that allows the story to play out in a way that is real, heartbreaking and uplifting all at once. A special mention to Aggie because I loved her character and the acceptance she offers to Sam. This is a raw novel, uncomfortable at times, that demands the reader reflect on their own place in the world and what that looks like. After all, everyone just wants acceptance.

Highly recommend this if you like a gritty, coming of age, story.

From the publisher ALLEN & UNWIN

Late in the night, fourteen-year-old Sam Watson steps onto a quiet overpass, climbs over the rail and looks down at the road far below.

At the other end of the same bridge, an old man, Vic, smokes his last cigarette.

The two see each other across the void. A fateful connection is made, and an unlikely friendship blooms. Slowly, we learn what led Sam and Vic to the bridge that night. Bonded by their suffering, each privately commits to the impossible task of saving the other.

Honeybee is a heartbreaking, life-affirming novel that throws us headlong into a world of petty thefts, extortion plots, botched bank robberies, daring dog rescues and one spectacular drag show.

At the heart of Honeybee is Sam: a solitary, resilient young person battling to navigate the world as their true self; ensnared by loyalty to a troubled mother, scarred by the volatility of a domineering stepfather, and confounded by the kindness of new alliances.

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Honeybee by Craig Silvey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This story captured my interest from the beginning. A fourteen year old boy standing on the wrong side of the bridge ready to jump. An elderly man smoking a cigarette at the other end of the bridge with the same intentions. What could make a young man at the beginning of his life want to make such a decision? What lead an old man, already near the end of his life, make the same choice? Was it fate or coincidence that brought them together this night?

The story unfolds from Sam's point of view. A transgender teenager battling to find his place in the world. With no family support or friends, his world spirals out of control. Then one fateful night Sam meets Vic. An elderly man also battling to find his place in the world after the death of his wife. Two lost souls that without choosing to, begin to give purpose to each others lives.

Silvey writes with an style that allows the story to play out in a way that is real, heartbreaking and uplifting all at once. A special mention to Aggie because I loved her character and the acceptance she offers to Sam. This is a raw novel, uncomfortable at times, that demands the reader reflect on their own place in the world and what that looks like. After all, everyone just wants acceptance.

Highly recommend this if you like a gritty, coming of age, story.

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