OnlineBookClub.org

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Boy in the Ivy: The Inner Child of a Buried Man" by T McKinley.]

I enjoyed reading “The boy in the Ivy” by T McKinley, The writers brother committed suicide in 2009 leaving the writer with many questions, first of being “Why he had not done the same?” His brother and the writer shared the same struggle of depression, shame, loneliness and inadequacy. His path showed ails of toxic parent’s in an upper-class environment. Something that is never entirely looked at through society eyes, as most feel privileged should heal all wounds. The writer T. Mckinley admits “I realized I’d been locking myself out for many, many years, and I finally wanted to come in from the cold”. The writer illustrates how he digs himself out of the torture through a summer of renovating a house to make it his family home, finding his inner child that had been lost in the ivy.

I give the book 4 out of 4 stars this book is a self-help and memoir. T. McKinley has a wonderful flow in writing, I would like to see more books from him, and I feel he has talent presenting a very well thought out story.

The writer and his wife purchased a house that was used by a mother and son, the house was filled with junk, over grown, it was a mess of epic size. The house had additions of a bar build to last 100’s of years and many hidden treasures. The renovation of a house is a great metaphor for tearing down a psyche, to remove a “man child’s” secret world to be replaced with an adults grace and healthy life.

The writer really did a good job of waiting until the end to explain his perception, allowing the story to unfold not seaming like a self-help book. I stayed interested in reading and reflecting on my own battle with depression. Looking at how I hide from family and friends. I might not use alcohol as a shield from feeling, but I feel we all when sad or ill have different ways to deal with the stressors.

This book is not just about generational addiction but about life, and how instances can influence insights. The writer was able to face his dread, learn and write about what was important to him. There is so much more to this book then what I have outlined, I suggest you read if not just for fun, but to see how it touches your heart as it did mine.

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Buy "Boy in the Ivy: The Inner Child of a Buried Man" on Amazon

Thank you for this review. It sounds like a valuable book.

sounds interesting, self-help books are not my thing but I know just the person who'll enjoy this book

Sounds good! Definitely would like to check this one out

Thank you for the review. Sounds promising.

I enjoyed this review thank you.

-- 24 Feb 2014, 19:03 --

I might read this book.

I enjoyed your review and agree that we all deal with depression in different ways. This sounds like a book that would encourage a reader to never give up. I may just have to read this book for myself.

Sounds interesting an very edge of your seat kind of book.

Sounds like a pretty sad book. It also looks like it has a deep emotional element to it.

Thank you for that review; in that it seems like a phenomenal story, but also in that I'm just starting out as a reviewer and this is a great help in how to write a good one.

Sounds like a good book will be reading it soon

Sounds good! Will go directly to my library and order it. Thanks for pointing me to it.

This sounds like a very interesting read. This is one that you would have to really reflect upon what the author is trying to convey. Not something I would typically read, but I may switch it up because it sounds very interesting.

This sounds like a fascinating book to read. This review was well written as well, it makes me want to go and but the book.

Sounds good! Sort of a living mystery novel that I think three friends will also like.