Carry Me Down

Carry Me Down by Maria Joan Hyland, published by Canongate in 2006, is a literary work that delves into the complexities of adolescence. This first edition spans 334 pages and is presented in English. The narrative centers on John Egan, a twelve-year-old boy grappling with the challenges of growing up while possessing an unusual ability to detect lies. As he navigates his unique circumstances, John’s obsession with the Guinness Book of World Records and his inquisitive nature shape his experiences, revealing both the power and burden of his gift.
Readers will find a poignant exploration of John’s life as he balances his sensitivity to truth and deception with the turmoil it brings to his family. The story unfolds with a blend of humor and tension, capturing the emotional landscape of a young misfit on the brink of a personal crisis. Carry Me Down offers a thoughtful examination of familial relationships and the struggles of youth, ultimately leading to a dramatic climax that tests the limits of John’s resilience.
Official synopsis Publisher
Carry Me Down is an engrossing story that at its heart examines an adolescent’s difficulties navigating the world. John Egan is a misfit — a twelve-year-old in the body of a grown man with the voice of a giant — who diligently keeps track of the lies large and small that are told to him. John’s been able to detect lies for as long as he can remember; it’s a source of power but also great consternation for someone so young. With an obsession for the Guinness Book of World Records, a keenly inquisitive mind, and a kind of faith, John remains hopeful despite the unfavorable cards life deals him. John is like a tuning fork, sensitive to the vibrations within himself and the trouble that this creates for him and his family, and when his sanity reaches near collapse, a frightening family catastrophe threatens to destroy them. Carry Me Down is a restrained, emotionally taut, and sometimes oddly funny portrait whose drama drives toward, but narrowly averts, an unthinkable disaster.
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