A Boy Made of BlocksAudiobook review by Paul Fiander
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Written by: Keith Stuart
Narrated by: Gavin Osborn Length: 11 hrs and 38 mins Publisher: Hachette Audio UK |
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Why Should I Listen to A Boy Made of Blocks?
Although Minecraft is a big part of Keith Stuart’s astounding title it really is more of a look at one man’s life and the relationships he has. The way Stuart portrays the daily struggle of Alex is sure to hit many readers as he travels the peaks and troughs of life. Overall though this is tale of real life and the way we navigate the difficulties we face.The cast of characters have odd quirks but all seem to be realistic and at every juncture they act as you would expect. This is of course once you have got to know them. The combination of the narrative and narration are top draw and Gavin Osborn really helps to bring the characters to life as he puts in a stellar performance. |
Review
When it comes to modern gaming phenomenon there is very little that can stand toe to toe with Minecraft. The indie title has grown to be a world beater and as such has gained a media presence and recognition that other titles wish they could compete with. Thanks to this exposure we have had some wonderful stories of players creating monumental structures in the digital landscape and more importantly tales of how Minecraft has affected people on a personal level.
One of these stories came from the real life of games journalist Keith Stuart, the story of how his son was affected by the games is worth reading about from pieces you can find by simply searching his name. His first novel A Boy Made of Blocks however is not a real life tale instead it is a work of fiction with an element of truth that runs through its spine. It is this element of reality that makes this book so appealing as Stuart creates an emotional roller coaster set in the glossy world of suburban Bristol.
The story is centred around a mortgage broker called Alex and his rather complex life. The reality of his situation is common to many including a job that he feels he is not suited for, trouble communicating with his spouse and on top of this a rather complex relationship with his autistic son Sam. It’s these interactions as well as those with a colourful band of friends and family that help shape the book. Just to make things a little more complex Alex is living with a demon from his past that dictates a large portion of his life. The sewing together of all these strands is a difficult task but Stuart manages to perform his narrative without falling into the fanciful.
The pacing of the plot ebbs and flows as each interaction Alex has reveals more of the man he is. He is helped by the extended cast of characters but it is his interactions with Sam that are the most gripping. The often one sided conversations how the difficulty Sam has relating to the world including his father. As the book explains Autism is a spectrum and for those familiar Rain Man Sam is not Raymond. Instead he is a boy trying to live in a world that hardly understands him and in some respects can barely cope. This is where Minecraft comes in.
I will admit I expected the game to play a bigger part in the story, Stuart however uses the game sparingly at first as he introduces the listener to the world that Notch (Minecrafts creator Markus Persson) built. This slower entry means that knowledge of the game is not essential to enjoy the online interactions of Sam and his Daddy. The impact the game has is worth waiting for as the book turns on a few points some Minecraft related and others away from the digital world. The ending, don’t worry I will not spoil it, except to say I saw it coming and it still felt perfect. This is not something I have experienced very often as usually I hate it when I can guess an ending.
The realistic grounding gives the story the punch it needs and there were points where I will admit I was shedding quite a bit more than a single tear. I am a father but my children are not on the Autistic spectrum, however the way Alex’s emotions are portrayed has a universal feel that can reach to any parent who reads the book. I will go a little further and say the narrative actually has the ability to affect anyone with the smallest shred of empathy.
The narration by Gavin Osborn is well crafted he keeps his tone at an even level throughout so you will not miss any of the dialogue no matter who is speaking. His west country accent is a particular treat but is his portrayal of Sam that has the most impact. His timing of when to use the word Daddy is impeccable as he punches up the emotional scale of this charming book. This is one of the joys of a well narrated Audiobook the performance can enhance the narrative of course it can also hinder your enjoyment, thankfully though Osborn is firmly in the positive camp.
Overall this is a fantastic listen that shows off how a well produced Audiobook can make an impact on the listener above the reading experience. A Boy Made of Blocks is created by a loving hand and Keith Stuart has shown that he can write a deeply emotional title that deserves all the plaudits it is receiving. There may be a few small issues but the whole experience puts the consumption of the Audiobook as must.
One of these stories came from the real life of games journalist Keith Stuart, the story of how his son was affected by the games is worth reading about from pieces you can find by simply searching his name. His first novel A Boy Made of Blocks however is not a real life tale instead it is a work of fiction with an element of truth that runs through its spine. It is this element of reality that makes this book so appealing as Stuart creates an emotional roller coaster set in the glossy world of suburban Bristol.
The story is centred around a mortgage broker called Alex and his rather complex life. The reality of his situation is common to many including a job that he feels he is not suited for, trouble communicating with his spouse and on top of this a rather complex relationship with his autistic son Sam. It’s these interactions as well as those with a colourful band of friends and family that help shape the book. Just to make things a little more complex Alex is living with a demon from his past that dictates a large portion of his life. The sewing together of all these strands is a difficult task but Stuart manages to perform his narrative without falling into the fanciful.
The pacing of the plot ebbs and flows as each interaction Alex has reveals more of the man he is. He is helped by the extended cast of characters but it is his interactions with Sam that are the most gripping. The often one sided conversations how the difficulty Sam has relating to the world including his father. As the book explains Autism is a spectrum and for those familiar Rain Man Sam is not Raymond. Instead he is a boy trying to live in a world that hardly understands him and in some respects can barely cope. This is where Minecraft comes in.
I will admit I expected the game to play a bigger part in the story, Stuart however uses the game sparingly at first as he introduces the listener to the world that Notch (Minecrafts creator Markus Persson) built. This slower entry means that knowledge of the game is not essential to enjoy the online interactions of Sam and his Daddy. The impact the game has is worth waiting for as the book turns on a few points some Minecraft related and others away from the digital world. The ending, don’t worry I will not spoil it, except to say I saw it coming and it still felt perfect. This is not something I have experienced very often as usually I hate it when I can guess an ending.
The realistic grounding gives the story the punch it needs and there were points where I will admit I was shedding quite a bit more than a single tear. I am a father but my children are not on the Autistic spectrum, however the way Alex’s emotions are portrayed has a universal feel that can reach to any parent who reads the book. I will go a little further and say the narrative actually has the ability to affect anyone with the smallest shred of empathy.
The narration by Gavin Osborn is well crafted he keeps his tone at an even level throughout so you will not miss any of the dialogue no matter who is speaking. His west country accent is a particular treat but is his portrayal of Sam that has the most impact. His timing of when to use the word Daddy is impeccable as he punches up the emotional scale of this charming book. This is one of the joys of a well narrated Audiobook the performance can enhance the narrative of course it can also hinder your enjoyment, thankfully though Osborn is firmly in the positive camp.
Overall this is a fantastic listen that shows off how a well produced Audiobook can make an impact on the listener above the reading experience. A Boy Made of Blocks is created by a loving hand and Keith Stuart has shown that he can write a deeply emotional title that deserves all the plaudits it is receiving. There may be a few small issues but the whole experience puts the consumption of the Audiobook as must.
Review copy and Cover Image courtesy of Publisher
Listened to using Audiobooks.com
Listened to using Audiobooks.com
