Thank you to NetGalley and Koehler Books for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
Boy with Wings by Mark Mustian
Genre(s): Historical Fiction
Release Date: March 15th, 2025
Publisher: Koehler Books
Pages: 338
Rating: ⭐⭐
Spice: Low 🔥
Genre(s): Historical Fiction
Release Date: March 15th, 2025
Publisher: Koehler Books
Pages: 338
Rating: ⭐⭐
Spice: Low 🔥
Mark Mustian’s “The Boy with Wings” effectively captures the turbulence of a world grappling with the Great Depression, the lingering scars of slavery, and the deep-rooted social injustices of the era. Set in the late 1920s American South, the novel vividly portrays a society weighed down by fear, hate, and oppression.
The story revolves around Johnny, a boy marked by a peculiar birthmark that grows into wing-like shapes. Born into a deeply religious community governed by hate and fear of the unknown, Johnny’s life is marred by rejection. His mother, desperate to protect him, fakes his death, and flees in a bid for safety. After his mother’s death, Johnny’s journey only grows more tumultuous as he becomes a centerpiece in a freak show circus. Through his encounters with cruelty and rare acts of kindness, the novel explores themes of identity, isolation, and belonging.
The story was interesting and explored significant societal issues, but it was challenging to follow the narrative. I had to put in quite a bit of effort to follow along with the plot as there were aspects of the writing that were intentionally vague and left me confused. I enjoy deep, rich storylines but this one didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
The story revolves around Johnny, a boy marked by a peculiar birthmark that grows into wing-like shapes. Born into a deeply religious community governed by hate and fear of the unknown, Johnny’s life is marred by rejection. His mother, desperate to protect him, fakes his death, and flees in a bid for safety. After his mother’s death, Johnny’s journey only grows more tumultuous as he becomes a centerpiece in a freak show circus. Through his encounters with cruelty and rare acts of kindness, the novel explores themes of identity, isolation, and belonging.
The story was interesting and explored significant societal issues, but it was challenging to follow the narrative. I had to put in quite a bit of effort to follow along with the plot as there were aspects of the writing that were intentionally vague and left me confused. I enjoy deep, rich storylines but this one didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
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