The Golden Boy

by Patricia Finn

I found The Golden Boy to be a bit uneven in its plotting, with some moments that felt more developed than others, but it’s anchored by a genuinely compelling story at its core. Finn weaves in touches of humor that lighten the darker elements, which I appreciated, and she does an especially strong job bringing the male protagonist to life; he felt nuanced and believable in a way that carried me through the slower sections. Just when I thought I had a handle on where things were going, the narrative took a surprising turn that led into an ending I didn’t see coming. Despite its inconsistencies, I would read it again.