The Dyer Island Boys

De: Jeffrey Veatch

Narrado por: Jeffrey Veatch

In The Dyer Island Boys, two young surgical residents in post-WWII New York City, one a recent veteran, purchase a small, undeveloped island off the coast of Maine for summer adventure but end up creating a community camp run for and by adolescent boys, providing positive structure for generations of teens in the process.

When Walter Wickson is robbed at knifepoint by young Harry Thompson, he isn't looking to get the boy in trouble. Instead, he persuades the judge to allow Harry to join him and his colleague, Meredith Jones, on Dyer Island. The two men—along with Wick's girlfriend, a medical intern named Anne Dobson whose ambitions are temporarily thwarted when she is diagnosed with tuberculosis—create a novel therapeutic and rehabilitation plan for Harry involving hard work and solitude for personal growth.

Fifty years later, Harry returns to Dyer Island—now a fully fledged summer camp community run by adolescent boys. This time, he's here not as a camper, but as a member of the team. Fifteen-year-old Johnny Miller has been rebelling against the camp community, and Wick has summoned Harry back to the island to help show Johnny the value of their work. On a walking tour of the island camp, the two men take Johnny on a journey through the story of their friendship and how it led to the creation of the camp.

As they tell Johnny their story, the three doctors' lives intertwine with Harry's over time as their plans for summer fun ultimately evolve into the creation of a community that offers directionless teen boys a way to gain valuable skills and experience, leading to gainful employment and involved citizenship. The Dyer Island Boys is an uplifting story of struggle, accomplishment, and redemption.

©2022 Jeffrey Veatch (P)2023 Jeffrey Veatch

Post-WWII: the boys in their formative years

The WWII historical fiction field is vast, with many stories based on true events.  “The Dyer Island Boys” cracks this genre wide open, shining a light on the boys back home.  The ones that are now fatherless post-war or have been missing their father’s presence during their formative years.  The boys that are misbehaving, misguided, or lacking direction.  That’s where “The Dyer Island Boys” focuses its story and shows readers this new perspective of those back home. 

Enter Doc and Wick, who’ve come across an advert for a 100-acre island being sold for $1,500 by a paper company.  Interested in adventure they go in on this island together, buying Dyer Island in Maine.  But when a coworker’s son ends up on the wrong side of the law, charged with theft and sentenced to 60 days in Juvenile Hall, they begin to wonder if they can’t use this island for better.  Ultimately, they decide to offer Dyer Island as a sort of refuge.  Taking this troubled boy, Harry Thompson, under their wing he begins to learn skills and gain pride as he builds the island into a sort of camp. 

The success Harry has in reforming himself through hard work and valuable skills begins to spark interest in the judge sentencing Harry, and the Dyer Island Boys Camp begins to take shape and get underway for other troubled men.  Reminiscent of “Lord of the Flies” these boys vote their own leadership, form pride in building out various necessary buildings and taking on their own side projects.  Oscillating between the present-day Harry and the very first camp member Harry, “The Dyer Island Boys” was an extraordinary read. 

Lending a fresh view on post-WWII America and the young boys who remained, the effects it’s had, and the impact two male role models, and their island, can have on a wider audience. Narrated by author Jeffrey Veatch, his career in radio production lent perfectly to making his characters and their story come to life, both on the page and in the ear!

A timeless tale of youthful perseverance

Jeffrey perfectly brings to life a true tale, that in this day and age seems to be far fetched. Teenage boys working hard all while gaining friends and learning more about themselves. Set on a private island in Maine it’s hard to not envision a beautiful summer setting in Down-east Maine.

Boys town meets Lord of the Flies?

I could sense the realism as I listened to the story. I was reminded of my days at stay away summer camp and stories I heard of the Vindicate Society in Newark, NJ.

The narrator’s voice gave the experience the feel of a camp fire story. I am glad I listened to this story of redemption, compassion, caring and service to others.