Jill's Reviews > Earth

John Boyne is one of those excellent writers who can weave a captivating story while courageously exploring what it means to be a moral man. And god knows, in today’s times, an analysis of living with oneself after performing deeds inconsistent with the person we hoped we would be is sorely needed.

Evan Keough is a young gay man who yearns to be a painter. He has talent, but maybe not enough. So he takes the easy route, becoming a footballer—a skill that is natural to him. We know Evan has had a tough time of it, with an abusive father and the abusive, even dangerous, male prostitution that follows.

Being a sports hero is often the path to a life of ease and admiration. But rarely on, we learn that Evan and his fellow footballer, Robbie Wolverton – who he is attracted to – are on trial for the rape of a woman they met at a pub. The woman claims that Robbie raped her, and Evan taped the whole thing on his phone. Problem is, the phone is missing. And while we suspect she is telling the truth, we don’t know with certainty.

This spare novel raises important questions: how responsible are we for the choices we make in life? Are we at the mercy of moneyed people who always seem to catch the breaks and who not only define justice, but deliver it in ways beneficial to them? Does it pay to possess a moral compass if the game of life is rigged? What price do we pay if we obey that moral compass and regain our sense of self-respect but lose our freedom in the process? Most importantly, do we really have freedom if we don’t have authenticity? Another stunner from one of my favorite writers.