Boy O'Boy

Anne Hutchings, a former elementary-school teacher-librarian with the
Durham Board of Education, is an educational consultant.

Life seems bleak for Martin “Boy” O’Boy. His grandmother has just
died, and she was the one person who truly cared about him—far more
than his abusive father, his downtrodden mother, or his developmentally
challenged twin, Phil. Only Cheap, his cat, provides warmth and
companionship.

The story, set in Ottawa during the last days of World War II, is told
in Martin’s own words and voice. Though he is obviously extremely
bright and too handsome for his own good, Martin’s naпveté is
evident as he tells of his good fortune in being chosen to be one of the
summer choirboys: he is to be paid 75 cents per week just for singing.
One suspects the intentions of Mr. George, the organist, though Martin
is oblivious to the danger. Martin’s account of the actual abuse he
suffers is particularly chilling: it is told from a child’s point of
view in childish words. The youngster puts the encounter behind him
until he realizes that his friend Billy Batson is also a victim.
Together they plan and exact a revenge of sorts.

Despite the serious issues addressed in the book, Boy O’Boy does have
some bright spots. Martin’s vivid, richly detailed accounts of
following an ice truck on a hot summer’s day in hopes of getting some
sawdust-flavoured ice chips to suck on, eating Spam sandwiches,
splashing on (or drinking) Aqua Velva aftershave, and watching Alan Ladd
movies at the Rialto (three for a dime) make the life and culture of the
time come alive. And the nicknames Martin creates for people and places
are amusing: Ketchy Balls, Darce the Arse, and the Rat Hole theatre.

The fact that, even though Martin and Billy eventually report the
assaults to a caring adult, there is no real punishment for the abuser
is disturbing. Nor is there any “healing” for the abused.
Nonetheless, we are left with the conviction that Martin, at least, will
survive. Recommended.