Imaginative Fun for the Family

In Jonathan Roger's book The Charlatan's Boy, a young man with no past and seemingly no future follows around his employer, Floyd--the master of the swindling trade. Travelling from town to town trying to make a buck (before being run out of town) is the only life Grady knows. And one of their best "acts" is showing off Grady as The Ugliest Boy in the World. That may not seem glamorous but it does make him unique--until one day even that title is taken. And then Floyd comes up with the act to end all acts. But can they perfect it before some other charlatan steals their thunder? And will Grady ever discover his origins?

Chronicling the various acts they perform and the interesting characters they meet along the way, the reader is drawn into Grady's world. While having lodging and food is nice, it isn't exactly the same as having a family of your own. And Grady has just never felt like he fit in. Set within the south and interspersed with tales of "feechiefolk" who live in the swamps, this imaginative story casts an interesting light on superstition, the meaning of loyalty and the importance of belonging.

The concluding pages of The Charlatan's Boy provide a satisfying ending while also opening the door to new questions to be answered in a future book so keep your eyes out for the sequel. To learn more about the author, you can visit his website.

Head on over to WaterBrook Multnomah to purchase your own copy of The Charlatan's Boy (retails for $13.99). You can also read other reviews of the book HERE.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group in exchange for providing a review. The opinions expressed are my own and no other compensation was received.