sigh. this was one of my most anticipated releases for early 2025, and i definitely did not enjoy it. while the writing was pretty solid, i found myself struggling with both the main character and his “struggles” (re: being unable to connect with his classmates due to being a prick, and whining about religion the whole damn time). i rolled my eyes every single time his bipolar-esque mother was brought up (no real explanation of her condition was ever offered, of course; she only exists to further paint the main character as this poor little boy with a crazy mother), and his sister was just sort of There, never really engaging in the main character’s life or existing beyond being his annoying little sister. i don’t even think she ever got a proper name, honestly?

so yeah. i had really high hopes for this one, but it was more of a “meh” read in the end.

Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this debut novel in advance.

This essentially a story of a boy and his perceptions of the world and how he fits into this.
It is emotional and very atmospheric this author writes so well and brings the details of boyhood to the surface.

Recommended read.

The Boy, named Daniel, is the central character in this first novel by Michael Amherst. Daniel may or may not be cursed but he struggles from early years with how to cope emotionally while placed in a miserable school, with a failure of a father and a mentally ill mother, all set against the background of a dour farming community.

The boy is bright and intelligent but his questions about life are thwarted at every turn. His father is a retired headmaster who now imagines himself to be a farmer but is simply the butt of jokes as he drinks too much in the local pub. His loving mother, unable to cope with life, wavers between offering too much love and crying. It’s not good!

Add to that the boy’s own uncertainty about what kind of person he is, viewing himself as fodder for bullies, childishly underdeveloped and unable to say the right thing in almost any context. When he tries to do things properly, they fall apart and older children, as well as adults, are a mystery to him, as he struggles to learn not only to express his feelings but also how to feel and what he should feel.

He might be autistic, he might be verging on gay but very little makes him happy except the moments when his mother is happy. It’s very sad and there is little indication that his life beyond adolescence is set to improve. In some ways, his life is ruined already!

The other thing about this boy is that he is every boy. Michael Amherst elegantly explores the fears and uncertainties embodied in masculinity and the precariousness of ever becoming a successful man, knowing yourself and your emotions.

I’m not sure how autobiographical it is but it’s a book to make you think, and an excellent read.

Amherst’s debut novel follows Daniel as he moves from childhood to adolescence. He is haunted by a sense of inadequacy, something which only intensifies once his father loses his job and his best friend overtakes him as their art teacher’s favourite.

The characterisation is sensitive and sets out a moving portrayal of both the difficulties of intersubjectivity and the struggles of growing up. In this vein, the third person narratorial stance is interesting, linked as it is to Daniel’s own blinkered perspective. He is, in a way both wonderful and terrible, the centre of his own universe. This works effectively in drawing the reader in, as they must engage in conscious acts of interpretation and perspective-taking.

Slow-paced but coloured throughout by deep flushes of shame, Amherst focuses in on the details of pre-adolescent life. In a quiet but insistent manner ‘The Boyhood of Cain’ reminds us that, for children, love is a matter of survival.

Quite a remarkable debut. Beautifully written, the narrative flows and as it’s a short book, it’s easily devoured in a couple of sessions. It’s partly about Danny’s coming of age as he moves into adulthood. His world is out of kilter. His father is head at a smart school, but he has problems and loses his job. His mother has health issues and suddenly Danny’s secure and comfortable existence is ripped apart. As he tries to navigate his way through the turmoil, he’s faced with the further challenge of disrupted friendships. It’s not a particularly uplifting read, but the observations are sharp and I did feel quite emotionally involved with Danny’s journey.

Michael Amherst's debut novel is the story of a boy, Daniel, who is trying to understand the world and his place in it. Though the novel is short, it packs in a lot of emotional punch. There is some very fine writing here indeed, and it is accomplished and very distinct in style. There might not be many grand, epic set pieces here - Amherst is more concerned with the detail of a boyhood life - and it is a quiet, introspective novel but remains thoroughly engaging and is emotionally satisfying. A great debut.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC.

Beautifully written study of childhood innocence into adolescence from the perspective of a boy who is probably neuro diverse, wants to be different but desperately wants to fit in. Short but perfectly formed, a quietly good book.

The Boyhood of Cain is a coming of age story that is set in a quiet English village and follows Daniel who struggles to find his place as he doesn’t quite fit in at school or at home. It’s a bit doom and gloom at times but it’s also slightly addictive as you become really invested in Daniel’s journey as he struggles with his inner demons.
A great debut!

This book is the story of Danielle his father wants the headmaster of the private school loses his job and moves his family away Danielle remains at the school and we see the result of this changing his circumstances for basis Home and school life
The frank bullying by a teacher is quite horrifying to read at times it seems sinister and abusive it’s heartbreaking to see the end result of such treatment to a fragile young boy
The author has a clear easily read writing style. The book was an easy read.
The has the skill to describe the characteristics i. particular of his children particularly well and they seem like real people . some of the adult characters are rather softer in focus and at times rather flatten into dimensional
This is another where not very much happens and I felt it rather drifted off in the end
The setting is particularly British. But would be understood by overseas readers.
In summary I like the writing. I like the story, but it seems somehow unfinished to me.
I read an early copy of the novel on NetGalley UK. The book is published in the UK. February 2025 by Riverhead books.
This review will appear on NetGalley UK, Goodreads, and my book blog bionicSarahSbooks.wordpress.com. After publication it would also appear on Amazon UK.

This is a beautiful and quite heart-rending story of Daniel, as others have said, launching into adolescence amidst changes in his family. The narrative style is deceptively complex. It comes across as high-pace and informative, but the plot itself is slow (as it should be) and mirrors Daniel's growth and realisation about himself. Daniel's misunderstandings about life (why, indeed, do people have to work? Why can't they stay at home and be looked after?) and his 'illnesses' offer, on a story level, plenty of hooks for the reader. I suspect this is a novel that will do very well, and appreciate the ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. Highly recommended.

I began reading this with great hopes, looking forward to it having read the 'blurb.' Unfortunately, I found it very slow, somewhat depressing, and lacking a definite or satisfyingly conclusive ending. The style is melancholic; the narrator is infuriating and can't see what's annoying about himself.

It is intended to be a coming-of-age story, that of a boy whose father was once a headmaster but who has become an alcoholic and whose mother is at first loving and ditzy, but who becomes more and more hazy and psychotic. Daniel, the boy narrator, is an only child, who longs to fit in at school and be a part of the 'gang' but who is at first different as he is the headmaster's son, and then because everyone knows that Daniel's parents and his home life are falling apart. We are privy to Daniel's inner thoughts, to his desperate desire to be loved, liked, even to be merely 'normal'. He wonders why Philip, another boy at school, seems to have such a comparatively easy life, and why his own is nothing like as easy and likeable.

Then there is the slightly weird art teacher, Mr Miller, and the hints of inappropriate behaviour. Mr Miller seems to like Daniel; but then turns on him, with horrible disparaging remarks, while still favouring Philip. Poor Daniel just doesn't get it, nor can he explain what is happening at home.

The idea of recounting a coming-of-age story is great. But this one seems to lack an undefinable something. It didn't grip me - as, for instance, 'The Go-Between' does or 'Dead Poets' Society.' I found it impossible to feel sorry for Daniel and found him a rather infuriating, rather selfish and inward looking child. Disappointed - both in the book, and in myself for not being able to really 'get into' the story.

With thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for enabling me to read an advanced copy of this book.

Danny lives with his mother, who has mental health issues, and his father, an alcoholic. Starved of the attention/parenting he deserves he feels that he is not enough and 'insists on being different'. Because of this, despite wanting to fit in, he struggles. The novel explores Danny's thoughts and emotions as he navigates adolescence - an emotional and sad read that made me want to pick up Danny and bring him home.

This is quite a short book that focuses on the life of a young boy as he approaches his teenage years. This is quite a depressing read but the insight into the mind of the boy is exceptional and the result is very moving.

Daniel is a boy of primary school age who does not fit in anywhere, at school or as things change, at home either. To start with, his father is head of the local independent school which the boy attends Then his father sells it because of ill health and buys an agricultural plot so the family moves house. Dad becomes an alcoholic at the local pub and mum has breakdowns. Sorting out the issues associated with growing up becomes fraught for Daniel. He has a sister but we don’t hear much about her. The book is certainly astute in analysing the issues facing a growing boy but it is not an unfamiliar topic and there is no story for a reader to follow. Interesting but not addictive.

The Boyhood of Cain is a beautifully written, slow-burning exploration of childhood innocence and the often painful journey into adolescence. The story centres around Danny, who enjoys a certain status at school thanks to his father’s role as headmaster. However, this same privilege distances him from his peers. When Philip, an effortlessly charming new boy, arrives and shows interest in being friends, Danny is taken by surprise. Together, they are invited to work after school with the inspiring Mr. Miller, a teacher who fosters Danny’s belief that he has finally found his place to shine.

The book captures the delicate, almost ethereal atmosphere of English summers and schoolyard anxieties, with a particular focus on Danny’s emotional growth. The pace is gentle, yet the depth of feeling in Danny’s journey makes the gradual plot entirely worthwhile. The writing evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing, perfectly encapsulating the yearnings of youth and the desire to belong.

However, Danny’s world is soon thrown off balance. His father loses his job, and with it, their home. As his life unravels, Danny is also shut out from the once-promising bond with Philip and Mr. Miller. Desperate to regain what he has lost, Danny’s increasingly determined efforts may send events spiralling out of control.

The Boyhood of Cain is a poignant reflection on the complexities of friendship, loss, and the difficult transition from childhood to adolescence. It is a spectacular story filled with tenderness and quiet intensity, making it a truly moving read.

Read more at The Secret Bookreview.

Daniels desperation to fit in, to be noticed, to have friends is almost a physical ache and his interactions with his family, school teachers and children in his classes are painful as he questions everything about himself in his attempt to find his place.
For me a book that didn't really seem to go anywhere, but made that journey thoughtfully and poetically. There were a few places where I did think that perhaps a bigger storyline might emerge and provide a bit of drama and was a bit disappointed that nothing really did.

The Boyhood of Cain by Michael Amherst follows Daniel, a young boy on the cusp of adolescence with a rapidly deteriorating home life. Set in a small village in England, Daniel is intelligent but highly misunderstood by those around him. He has profound thoughts for a boy of his age and is truly struggling to accept what is told to him, what is expected of him and the unfairness of life. He wants to be good, but he wants to be free, he is unsure he can have both.

He meets a new boy at school, Phillip, who doesn’t seem to struggle as he does, who instead, seems to excel at existing without so much as trying. This further alienates Daniel and causes more self reflection. Why should things come so easily to others yet not to him?

I enjoyed this book, specifically how close I was able to get to Daniel, with the intricacies of his mind splayed out in such a detailed fashion. It was a very raw, intimate experience and often times I felt sorry that the boy faced such inner turmoil attempting to adjust to the world around him. I appreciated the the writing style, which felt very dreamlike and palpable.

There were many quotes I read over twice, my favourites included:

“What he wants to say is: make me good. Whatever it is that I lack, make me good. Make me normal. Make it so that I can be loved."

“Rather than accepting things, he only ever wants to question them.”

“‘But if none of us can be as we want then what is the point of anything?’ He cannot believe his life should be prescribed for him, written out already.”

While I can understand and acknowledge the beauty of the book and the journey Daniel went through, it was perhaps a little too slow and melancholy. I can’t place my finger on it, but it was just missing some sort of gut punch.

Thank you NetGalley and Faber and Faber LTD for my ARC in exchange for my honest review. Pub Date is set for 13/02/25.

A beautiful, slow burn book full of yearning on the cusp of adolescence. I really enjoyed the writing, it felt almost ethereal and otherworldly. The plot was slow, but the focus on Daniel and his journey from child to borderline teenage made the slow plot worthwhile. This was a gorgeous reflection of childhood innocence, English summers and the well known anxieties of school and wanting to fit in. A spectacular story.