The Boat Runner

A Novel

De: Devin Murphy

Narrado por: Matthew Waterson

In the tradition of All the Light We Cannot See and The Nightingale comes an incandescent debut novel about a young Dutch man who comes of age during the perilousness of World War II.

Beginning in the summer of 1939, 14-year-old Jacob Koopman and his older brother, Edwin, enjoy lives of prosperity and quiet contentment. Many of the residents in their small Dutch town have some connection to the Koopman lightbulb factory, and the locals hold the family in high esteem.

On days when they aren't playing with friends, Jacob and Edwin help their uncle Martin on his fishing boat in the North Sea, where German ships have become a common sight. But conflict still seems unthinkable, even as the boys' father naively sends his sons to a Hitler Youth Camp in an effort to secure German business for the factory.

When war breaks out, Jacob's world is thrown into chaos. The Boat Runner follows Jacob over the course of four years, through the forests of France, on the stormy beaches of England, and deep within the secret missions of the German navy, where he is confronted with the moral dilemma that will change his life - and his life's mission - forever.

Epic in scope and featuring a thrilling narrative with precise, elegant language, The Boat Runner tells the little-known story of the young Dutch boys who were thrown into the Nazi campaign as well as the brave boatmen who risked everything to give Jewish refugees safe passage to land abroad. Through one boy's harrowing tale of personal redemption, here is a novel about the power of people's stories and voices to shine light through our darkest days, until only love prevails.

©2017 Devin Murphy (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

Could not put down

I intended to go through the first chapter only to see if I liked it enough to recommend to be book club, but had to read the whole thing. My husband also found it to be a very compelling story. It’s beautifully written as well.

WWII in occupied Europe

There's a good story here, but too much descriptive prose is a distraction from the momentum of the narrative. Good narration.

Fantastic narration!

Great book and I enjoyed a different perspective. The narrator was especially good. I’ll look for others he has done.

Nice Story! Good narration!

I really enjoyed this story. A little different angle on WW 2 occupation of Holland and what happened to one family .

Wonderful!

A great story from beginning to end. The Narrator hit the mark for all the characters. Devin Murphy has a careful and unique ability to skillfully and honestly weave a story that holds great depth. Kuddos!

Really Good

It shouldn’t surprise me I’m as horrified by the atrocities that were imposed to so many people during that war. It’s unfathomable to think an entire military regime could conform to so much hatred and go thru with such despicable acts. Then I reflected as to why i didn’t feel i wasn’t more removed. That war was a long time ago. No one in my family was negatively impacted. Then the realization that the same hatred and violence continues to happen today.

Despite the very realistic aspects of Jacob’s story, it’s also compelling and nail biting, tragic and sad. Jacob is a survivor though and it’s thru his story a sense of victory and happiness eventually prevails. Great listen on audio!

Narrator was amazing. Providing accents and emotional ranges for the cast of characters!!

It was just “okay” for me.

The first half of the book I was beginning to wonder if the main character was nothing more than a horny, curious, shallow boy— I almost put it down. Couldn’t stand to listen to his disgusting thoughts. The story finally started picking up speed, having some substance, and changing its tone around chapter 19. It’s written well enough, and I like the way he turned his life around, but really, so much of the first part of the book could’ve been left out. It didn’t contribute to the main story at all!

Amazing Story.

This story was sad but so true in war torn times. A young man who lost everything but his physical life. Well worth reading or listening to on Audible.

Great to read and Great to listen to!

I listened on audible after I read the book and I am glad I did! The story’s descriptive writing took on new life on audible and made me realize some things I may have missed! Now I want to watch it as a movie and I will be thoroughly satisfied!

Would make a good movie!

A personal struggle of an ugly time in the world. Could not put it down.