Nominated for the 2026 Dublin Literary Award
Shortlisted for the 2025 An Post Irish Book Awards, Eason Novel of the Year
Incredibly moving, witty, and warm, The Boy from the Sea is a story of a family and a town, and what difference the arrival of one child can make.
In 1973 a baby is found on the beach of a close-knit town on Ireland's west coast. The baby fascinates the community and the boy he grows to be will fascinate them too—no one can quite get to the bottom of Brendan Bonnar. That's the name given to the baby by Ambrose, the fisherman who adopts him. Ambrose is a man of great bulk and great heart, and he brings Brendan into his home. It's a decision born of love, but one that will fracture his family and force this man - more comfortable at sea than on land - to try to understand himself and those he loves.
Told in the communal voice of a small fishing town, The Boy From the Sea is a story of a family and a community, bookended by the arrival and departure of this mesmerizing boy. Over the years it charts the rises and falls in the Bonnars' and the town's fortunes. The world is turning, and this corner of Donegal is shifting begrudgingly along with it.
For fans of Kate Atkinson, Elizabeth Strout, Claire Keegan and Jon McGregor.
Atmospheric, intimate, and immersive!
"The Boy from the Sea is a captivating, poignant tale that sweeps you away to the Irish coastal village of Donegal and into the lives of the Bonnar family as their lives are irrevocably changed forever when one day they decide to adopt a young baby boy who washed up on the shore in a barrel. The prose is rich and expressive. The characters are flawed, hardworking, and authentic. And the plot is an astute, compelling tale about life, loss, friendship, family, secrets, curiosity, guilt, jealousy, politics, responsibilities, sibling rivalry, marine life, hope, love, and self-identity. Overall, The Boy from the Sea is ultimately a beautifully written, tender tale by Carr that does a remarkable job of delving into the complex dynamics that exist between family members and is a wonderful reminder of just how complicated, challenging, memorable and emotional growing up can truly be, especially when doing so in a small island community where everyone knows everyone else."
