The Agony of Bun O'Keefe by Heather Smith

The Agony of Bun O'Keefe

by Heather Smith

Little Miss Sunshine meets Room in this quirky, heartwarming story of friendship, loyalty and discovery.

It's Newfoundland, 1986. Fourteen-year-old Bun O'Keefe has lived a solitary life in an unsafe, unsanitary house. Her mother is a compulsive hoarder, and Bun has had little contact with the outside world. What she's learned about life comes from the random books and old VHS tapes that she finds in the boxes and bags her mother brings home. Bun and her mother rarely talk, so when Bun's mother tells Bun to leave one day, she does. Hitchhiking out of town, Bun ends up on the streets of St. John's, Newfoundland. Fortunately, the first person she meets is Busker Boy, a street musician who senses her naivety and takes her in. Together they live in a house with an eclectic cast of characters: Chef, a hotel dishwasher with culinary dreams; Cher, a drag queen with a tragic past; Big Eyes, a Catholic school girl desperately trying to reinvent herself; and The Landlord, a man who Bun is told to avoid at all cost. Through her experiences with her new roommates, and their sometimes tragic revelations, Bun learns that the world extends beyond the walls of her mother's house and discovers the joy of being part of a new family -- a family of friends who care.

Reviewed by Sam@WLABB on

5 of 5 stars

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I am so happy I discovered Heather Smith via her most recent release, Barry Squired, Full Tilt, because she really knows how to invade my heart and fill it with pain and joy. Watching Bun grow and flourish among this band of lovable misfits, who were all carrying some emotional baggage, was wonderful. It's great to be reminded of the power of human connection, especially now during the Covid-19 days.

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Reading updates

  • 20 September, 2020: Started reading
  • 21 September, 2020: Finished reading
  • 21 September, 2020: Reviewed