“A Boy from the Sea” by Garrett Carr is a quiet yet poignant coming-of-age story set in the fishing town of Donegal, Ireland, starting in the 1970s. When a baby washes ashore, the Bonner family takes him in, and the novel follows their struggles and growth over the years. At its core, the book is about identity, family, and the dynamics of a small, tight-knit community.

The true protagonist of this novel is the town itself, with its residents—mostly fishermen—grappling with both the universal and unique challenges of their lives. Carr’s exploration of small-town life is intimate, capturing the stillness and subtle tensions of a place where everyone knows each other's business. The story unfolds at a slow pace, which can feel almost meditative at times. The beginning feels languid, and despite some emotional depth, the plot doesn’t fully accelerate after the halfway point. Though it doesn’t have the intensity of a page-turner, the book requires a certain level of patience and dedication to its quiet rhythm.

Ultimately, "A Boy from the Sea" is a slow-burn, but its thoughtful exploration of family, community, and the complexities of identity make it a worthwhile read for those who appreciate introspective storytelling and the depth of a small-town narrative.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy for review.

A baby is found close to the sea and a hard working Irish fishing family raises him but not without some struggles . The child Brendan never really gets accepted by his older brother Declan until the end of the book . This book deals with the hardships of fishing for a living and how families are challenging but at the end of the day they usually are our greatest strengths . A somewhat sad read of the reality of living in a small community where your business is never private and escaping this existence is difficult.

On Irelands's West coast a baby is found on the beach in 1973 alone and scared. A fisherman finds the baby and has to decide what to do with it.