The Weight of a Thousand Feathers - Hardcover

Conaghan, Brian

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1681194821 ISBN 13: 9781681194820

Publisher: Bloomsbury YA, 2019

Synopsis

From the acclaimed author of When Mr. Dog Bites and The Bombs That Brought Us Together comes a compelling, thought-provoking, heartbreaking, and timely story that asks: how far would you go for family?

As the person who cares for his terminally-ill mother, Bobby Seed has a lot on his plate. Add to that a responsibility to watch over his little brother (with his endless question about why their mother is in so much pain), keeping up at school, and navigating a relationship with a girl friend who wants to be a girlfriend, and he's barely keeping his head above the water. Something's got to give.

But then Bobby's mother makes a request, one that seems impossible. If he agrees, he won't just be soothing her pain. He'll be helping her end it -- and end everything. Angry, stirring, and tender, this bold novel tells a story of choice and compassion, exploring the lengths to which we'll go for the people we love.

About this title

About the Author

Brian Conaghan is the author of When Mr. Dog Bites and The Bombs That Brought Us Together, and the co-author of We Come Apart. He lives and works as a teacher in Dublin and has a degree in Creative Writing from the University of Glasgow. Throughout the years, Brian has made a living as a painter and decorator, bartender, teacher, and now writer.

@BrianConaghan

Review

“Bobby's first-person narration is a masterful and very realistic blend of sarcasm, shame, hopefulness, earnestness, and anger. . . . Uncompromising, unflinching, and unsentimental.” ―Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“The relationships depicted, especially between Bobby and his mother, are raw and real, and readers will be rooting for this family . . . A heavy, well-written examination of ethics and family bonds.” ―Booklist

"Bittersweet and thoughtfully written . . . Teens who appreciate stories with emotional and thought-provoking plots will enjoy this novel." - VOYA

“A timeless allegory . . . Conaghan tackles the complexities of war, occupation, and totalitarianism in a direct and accessible way.” ―Kirkus Reviews on THE BOMBS THAT BROUGHT US TOGETHER

“Conaghan presents a compelling situation with no easy answers; it's easy to sympathize with Charlie's moral and ethical dilemmas, and the dichotomy between Old Country and Little Town could fuel provocative discussions.” ―Publishers Weekly on THE BOMBS THAT BROUGHT US TOGETHER

“This accomplished new novel establishes Conaghan as a major talent . . . Incredibly powerful and thought-provoking.” ―Bookseller on THE BOMBS THAT BROUGHT US TOGETHER

“[T]his book brings light to communities where teens are struggling under a repressive government or regime pressured by a larger neighboring nation . . . Readers will fly through the last portion of the book in one sitting.” ―School Library Journal on THE BOMBS THAT BROUGHT US TOGETHER

“Dylan is smart and caring, and beneath his realistically portrayed condition, he is a normal teenager with relatable concerns. As Dylan would say, this one is 'A-mayonnaise-ing.'” ―Booklist on WHEN MR. DOG BITES

“Conaghan . . . does an excellent job of portraying his unconventional and memorable protagonist.” ―Publishers Weekly on WHEN MR. DOG BITES

“An appealingly offbeat look at friendship, sex and what's really 'normal.'” ―Kirkus Reviews on WHEN MR. DOG BITES

“Insightful, engaging, and immerses teens into the world of Tourette's . . . Uninhibited and compelling.” ―School Library Journal on WHEN MR. DOG BITES

Edition details

• Publisher: Bloomsbury YA
• Publication date: 2019
• ISBN 10: 1681194821
• ISBN 13: 9781681194820
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 368