Cover Image: One of the Boys

One of the Boys

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One of the Boys is really a brutal read — more brutal than I expected. I'm a fan of horror; I am relatively well-versed in the genre, yet I was shocked by the sheer nastiness of this short novel.

A father has divorced his wife and won custody of his two teenage sons. They move to New Mexico in start of a new life. Daddy has a hard drug addiction, though, and it's from that specific plot point Daniel Magariel draws most of this story's horror.

I would be lying if I said I wasn't deeply disappointed in this novel. Based on the synopsis, I was expecting this to be one of my favorite reads of the year . . . or, at least, I planned to enjoy the journey. I really didn't. The story is pulled in too many directions; it suffers from multiple personalities. It tries being a horrific tale about drug abuse, and it also wants to be a travelogue and a coming-of-age tale and a Hallmark-esque look at fathers and sons. Maybe it could have worked, but none of these ideas mesh very well. One of the Boys feels like three or four different stories combined into one.

The writing here is capable, meaning there are no grammar errors or obvious inconsistencies; the character work is serviceable, which is noteworthy for a debuting novelist. And it is short, clocking in at 176 pages — as the synopsis points out — meaning the read itself is relatively painless. I didn't dig this story, but I don't feel like too much of my time was wasted.

This is really just a wasted opportunity, which is quite unfortunate. I was rooting for this one and was ecstatic when Netgalley granted my request for an ARC. I will continue watching this author, for I am curious what he will release next.

Thanks to Netgalley and Scribner for the free ARC, which was given in exchange for an honest review.

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Just very few pages, this novel is about two brothers and their dad. Very powerful and moving, this shows what drug addiction and an ugly divorce can to children - and it tells the story from their point of view, with gives it even more impact. Domestic violence, emotional abuse and neglect - at times to manipulate, at others involuntarily out of a drugged stupor. The narrative outlines in a few broad brushstrokes how the boys deal with these issues, why it is so hard to run away and what needs to happen to finally do. It is powerful, yet simple - a contemporary novella much to my liking.

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Sometimes it’s hard to figure out what makes reading fiction worthwhile, especially when a novel hits as hard as One of the Boys. It’s a short book, but it’s dark, harsh and painful. The story opens with the 12 year old narrator leaving Kansas with his older brother and father. They are leaving the boys’ mother, their father seemingly manipulating them into thinking he is the more competent loving parent. No such luck. The book focuses on the narrator’s tight and tense relationship with his abusive, addicted, irrational, paranoid father, and the brothers’ ineffective attempts to free themselves emotionally and physically. It’s not a book about what happens. It’s a book about the dynamics in these twisted relationships, and emotions a twelve year old should never have to experience. So why read One of the Boys? It’s well done, it feels real, and it gives voice to an unfortunate reality for many kids. But this is not a book for the faint of heart or for those who look for escapism in their fiction. I can only read such books in small doses, but I do recognize their importance. For those who don’t like graphic violence, there is violence but the focus is more on emotional abuse than physical violence. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy.

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This is a hard novel to read, and if there is anyone who finds it difficult to read about child abuse, don't go for this novel. That being said, this is a very moving novel. The author really shows the various different emotions that the two boys feel towards their parents and towards each other. The boys (whose names we never discover) feel deeply even while they don't express themselves fully; they are definitely not one-dimensional characters. The author not only depicts the pain and hurt they feel from the abuse but also takes the time to show the hope and desire for love that the boys feel. I think that the author really took the time to explore every emotion that is expressed in order to create a full picture of the boys and their emotional states before, during, and after dealing with abuse. It's definitely not a happy story, and it really reflects the reality of child abuse. It isn't always the case that children are rescued from a bad home and get their happy ending and perfect life. Oftentimes, the children have no support and must struggle in their circumstances and simply hope for the best. It's a harsh reality but it is necessary for us to see because it challenges the assumptions that people make about victims of child abuse and the "ease" in which they can "move on" from their experience. This was a short read but it dealt with a difficult subject in a respectful yet truthful manner, and I appreciated that very much. This is definitely a novel to read if you think you can handle this topic!

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A painful look at growing up in a desperate family dealing with addiction, disappointment, and abuse.

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Two brothers and their father. A father who has his youngest son fake abuse from his mother so that he can take them away from their mother and move from Kansas to New Mexico. Two brothers who have been physically and psychologically abused by their father to the point where they understand why he beat their mother, she's useless, lazy, and can't keep a job. But as their father spirals out of control and the abuse ramps up, they must figure a way out. Their mother can't, or won't, help and as always, they have to rely on themselves to somehow keep their sanity and wits about them while their father becomes someone they don't even recognize. When you have nowhere else to go, how much will you endure?

This book is written through the eyes of the youngest son. His loyalty to his brother and his father is steadfast and strong. But we see him start to break as his father becomes a monster he doesn't like anymore and pits him against his brother. At twelve years of age, his susceptibility to guilt and manipulation has his heart and his head at war with each other. It's an extremely well written book that is somber but gives you the understanding of what him and his brother go through as the abuse gets worse and worse. I was left scratching my head a bit at the ending. I needed something a little bit more. For a debut novel, it is fantastic. I think I understand where the author was going, why it was written the way it is and why it leaves off the way it does. Somehow I needed to still know more. I have more questions still in my head... which may have been the author's goal.
3 1/2 stars for this debut novel.

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I thought the ending left you hanging. Loved the book but not the way it ended
Thank you for allowing me to read it

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You'll read this small book in one sitting, but it will stay with you for an unpredictable amount of time. More than other books around topics of divorce, abuse, and parental drug dependency, Magariel's portrayal highlighted the slippery way in which children get caught between feuding parents. Where does a frightened child place their faith, and why? Who do they turn to and how do they approach the concept of trust?

You'll probably need to watch several episodes of Bob's Burgers after reading this. But the beautiful storyline and clean prose make this painful read worth it.

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What do you do when the people you are supposed to trust and rely on most in this world, let you down? When those people are your parents and when you give them unconditional love and get the exact opposite in return? One of the Boys by Daniel Magariel is a fictional story about a dysfunctional family and mental and physical abuse. It is a heartbreaker.

In One of the Boys, a mother and father's relationship breaks down and the father takes off with his two young sons, leaving Kansas for New Mexico. The father, is abusive, manipulative and narcissistic. He also happens to be an addict. The worst of the worst. The father does the most unimaginable things to his two young sons. He mentally and physically abuses both of them. In one instance, he beats one - ties his hands behind his back, dragging him facedown across the carpet because he called his mother. In his father's mind, his elder son, is a traitor for doing so. He works to pit the boys against each other and constantly tells them that he forgives them for their behavior. [How despicable is that? His telling them he forgives them?]. The boys are young... and they seemingly have no way out and no one to turn to. They are left to fend for themselves. Even when they ask for help, help never comes. It is this that left me with a weight on my shoulders, heart heavy, empty inside. Help hardly ever comes. This I know.

As children, sufferers of abuse often ask for help and it never comes or it comes too late. And in adulthood, survivors of abuse often have a very hard time asking for help. It is like pulling teeth or something. Even after years of therapy, it is still something I struggle with. Yet still I try. I know its not just me. But I also know that every child, every sufferer, every survivor, deals with things differently... Oddly enough, I wasn't sure how I would feel reading this book, yet I wanted to read it after seeing the reviews. I tend to gravitate towards biographies and memoirs related to this subject. Perhaps because through all of the pain and anguish, there are stories of survival and strength. And that is what I cling to.

The author, of this fictional story, Daniel Magariel, did a stellar job in describing the boys feelings, their angst and their conflicted feelings towards both parents but especially their father. He described the guilt they feel in a way that felt palpable. One of the Boys is a harrowing, heartbreaking novel that reads like a memoir. Everything about this novel is tragic. It is not for the faint of heart. It is however, a novel that will make you feel. You will feel a myriad of emotions. It will make you angry.. it will make you cry and it will make you believe in the power of brothers. Whatever you feel, know that you are not alone. If you chose to read this, we are in it together. And if you are a sufferer or a survivor of mental or physical abuse, keep asking for help. It gets easier. Promise.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Scribner and Daniel Magariel for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Published on NetGalley and Goodreads on 3/5/17.
*Will be published on Amazon on 3/14/17.

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The boys were confused, they don’t know who to trust or what the truth any more. All they knew was that they wanted to be together. It was the stronger one, the one who could drive their message in, that won and in this novel, it is the father who comes out the winner. Unfortunately, it was the boys who lose.

This was a short novel but it had all the feels and the power of a very long story. It was like sliding down a long tunnel, the story becoming more desperate the more that I read. I saw his boys, his own children being held captive by their father, a man who was strict and out-of-control most of the time. His own selfish pleasures took center stage while his boys paid the price. The father played the boys against each other, for he was always the winner, for he had to be, there was no other way.

This novel was shocking but it is reality. To think this occurs behind closed doors and no one knows, is mind-blowing. The author holds nothing back as this story comes at us full-force and shows us the power that one adult figure can do over innocent children. It’s a powerful story, one that you cannot walk away from without being changed. 4.5 stars

I received a copy of this novel from NetGalley and Scribner in exchange for an honest review.

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Ugh. This little novel (less than 200 pages long) ripped my heart out. So powerful. I can't stop thinking about it. "One of the Boys" by Daniel Magariel is the most brutally honest, heart-wrenching, and yet tender story about 2 teenaged boys, uncovering a troubling secret about the father they love and trust. This may not be for everyone but it opened my eyes.

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D’eux, on ne sait rien. Pas de prénom. Pas d’âge. Rien. Ce qui leur arrive pourrait être l’histoire de n’importe quel gamin et je pense que c’est ce que l’auteur a voulu faire passer. Le thème de ce roman clairement annoncé dès le résumé, est la violence parentale. Daniel Magariel se charge de nous rappeler que cette violence n’a pas besoin d’être physique. Qu’elle peut également causer autant de dégâts quand elle est psychologique. Vraiment. Jamais je n’avais réellement pensé à cela mais ce roman me l’a vraiment montré. One of the boys n’est pas une histoire de survie normale. C’est surtout l’apprentissage de la survie. Une prise de conscience. Une leçon.

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A story of a mentally ill, drug-addicted father who takes his two sons away from their mother, this was a tough book for me. As a former teacher, I understand tragedy surrounding a dysfunctional family. I have seen children with bruises, angry-at-everything students, and I have met with some 'interesting' parents. I could see the great sorrow in this family as well as the effects of drugs and mental illness, yet I also saw great anger. My problem with this book was two-fold. First, I did not find the writing admirable; lots of choppy sentences and repetitive beginnings of sentences with little variety. Perhaps that was the author's intent; however, I found it unappealing. Secondly, I found little in these static characters to admire, to cheer for, to wonder about, or to even like even a little bit. None of the characters seemed to grow or change, creating little tension in the book. I was, to be honest, thankful it was so short as it was just one chapter after another of a crummy life for the two boys, leaving one with no hope for their future. I don't need a picture perfect ending, all tied up in a bow; I love complex, frustrating endings that make me think. This one just left me with a 'meh' feeling.

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One of the Boys By Daniel Magariel

In this small compact volume there is such violence and the father plays his twelve year old son against his brother. I think the writing is strong with razor sharp prose. I felt sad for these two boys for they are at the tender age of identifying with their same sex parent. While reading this I am thinking how these two boys are bound to grow up and mistreat and disrespect women. The author was successful at getting his point across.

Thank you to Net Galley, Daniel Magariel and Scribner for providing me with my digital copy for a fair and honest review.

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Thank you for the opportunity to review this title. I have mixed feelings about this one- in my mind, it's 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 for the "challenge" factor. It was a difficult read emotionally, but well done overall.

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This debut novel from Daniel Magariel is powerful and disturbing, definitely not for those that are easily disturbed by domestic violence and abuse. The story is gripping and heartbreaking, but the important thing to remember is that this is real life for some families. There are many children that are subjected to emotional and physical abuse at the hands of one or both parents. The first person narrator is twelve years old, and none of the characters are given names. He tells the story with startling imagery and depictions of torment the boys endure as they try to just survive day to day. I highly recommend this book. I received this as a free ARC from Scribner on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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It is not at all easy to get inside the mind of a twelve year old boy, especially one who has experienced brutal physical and psychological abuse from his parents. Daniel Magariel writes a short novel about two boys and a father who takes the boys from their mother in Kansas City and moves them to New Mexico. The narrative is filled with the details of what a drug addled man does to his two sons. It is unimaginable and horrible and yet I couldn't stop reading. I'm sure that the horrible life these children led for a time in a dark apartment without anyone's help is something that happens. DM's courage to form it into a novel is to be admired.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Scribner (March 14th 2017).

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This one hit a little too close to home for me. Excellently written.

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Boy oh boy, did this book have me going. If I have to put up with the dad, I don't even want to be one of the boys. Uh, huh, no how, no way. This man was an absolute psycho and that's on a good day.

There is no way you can put this book down. You have to know what's going to happen next. It's like a train wreck. You know you shouldn't look. Your not supposed to look. However, you have to, you just have to, you can't help it. This book is like that. The author has you in his grips and he's not going to let you go. No friggin' way, he's got you trapped. There's lots of things going on in your mind, your thinking, "surely not". Yet you keep reading, just to see, did he? You keep reading, and "oh no, he didn't", but yes, he did.

This is one book of 2017 that I soon won't forget whether I want to or not. Kudos to the author for such a memorable, thrilling, despicable (in a good way) book.

Thanks to Scribner for approving my request and to Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

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One of the Boys addresses themes of drug abuse, physical and mental abuse. It delivers immense feelings of hopelessness, hope and then hopelessness again- all through the eyes of a child and his brother who look up to their undeserving father and would do anything for his love. The prose in this novel appears effortless and effective as every word and thought and action is pulsing with human weakness, lies, the death of innocence. The whole environment is described so well I could smell the stench of stale air and cigarettes and hangovers, and feel the misery of this “dungeon”, I was living the life the boys were living.

Having said all of the above, it’s no wonder I cannot see how this can become someone’s favorite book in the sense that they would want to read this again. Or in the sense that they somehow treasure it. One of the Boys packs a punch, for sure, but it doesn’t offer any balance- this story is just a long string of misery. Personally, the ending left me with dark thoughts, and even though real life sometimes really isn’t anything but piss&sh*t, I would have liked to have finished on a higher note. But that’s just my opinion. It has an open ending with no real conclusion which in turn discounts any progress for any of the characters. Nothing got better and nothing got worse. Rating: 2 Goodreads stars- It was OK.

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