“There's no such thing as normal. It's just a word people use to make themselves feel better.”
— Barnaby's mother, Eleanor, reflects on societal expectations.
Archivist's Choice
The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket
John Boyne (2012)
Genre
Fantasy / Children's / Young Adult
Reading Time
278 min
Key Themes
See below
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Born with an uncontrollable gift for floating, Barnaby Brocket embarks on a global adventure after his ordinary family abandons him, discovering that being different can lead to wonderful connections.
Synopsis
Barnaby Brocket is born into a family obsessed with being ordinary, but Barnaby is anything but—he floats. His parents, Alistair and Eleanor, are bothered by his inability to stay on the ground and his general 'abnormality.' Despite Barnaby's efforts to fit in, his parents eventually decide they've had enough. One day, Eleanor cuts the rope tethering Barnaby to the ground, casting him into the sky. Barnaby, heartbroken and alone, is rescued by a hot air balloon crew made up of other unusual individuals. He travels the world with them, meeting many characters in Brazil, New York, Australia, and Tibet. Each person has their own stories and ideas about what it means to be different. Through these adventures, Barnaby learns about acceptance, individuality, and the good parts of not fitting in. When he finally has the chance to return home, he must face his parents and choose between the boring life they want and the freedom and happiness he found in being himself.
Reading time
278 min
Difficulty
Easy
Pacing
Moderate
Mood
Whimsical, Uplifting, Heartwarming, Adventurous
✓ Read this if...
You enjoy whimsical, heartwarming stories about self-acceptance and the joy of being different, with a touch of magical realism.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer gritty realism or stories with complex, morally ambiguous characters and plots.
Plot Summary
The Peculiar Birth of Barnaby Brocket
Barnaby Brocket is born to Alistair and Eleanor Brocket, a couple focused on being ordinary and respectable in their suburban London home. From birth, Barnaby is different: he floats. This difference causes his parents great worry, as it threatens their image of normalcy. They try many ways to keep him on the ground, from weighing down his shoes to tying him to furniture, but Barnaby's natural floating continues. His older siblings, Melanie and Henry, are also taught to see Barnaby's floating as a shameful secret, making him feel more alone within his family. Despite their efforts, Barnaby cannot help but float, leading to constant anxiety for his parents and a growing sense of isolation for the boy.
An Unwanted Child is Cast Adrift
The Brockets' tolerance for Barnaby's floating ends during a family outing to the park. While Barnaby floats above them, enjoying a moment of freedom, Eleanor Brocket, embarrassed by the stares of other park-goers, makes a sudden choice. She unties the string that holds Barnaby to her wrist, letting him drift away into the sky. Barnaby is scared and heartbroken, realizing his own mother has left him on purpose. He floats higher and higher, leaving his family behind, feeling completely betrayed and alone as he goes into the clouds, with no control over where he goes. This act starts his involuntary journey around the world.
The Extraordinary Crew of the Hot Air Balloon
After floating for some time, cold and afraid, Barnaby is seen and rescued by a colorful hot air balloon. Inside, he meets a diverse group of people, each with their own unique traits that led them to this unusual way of travel. There is Captain W.E. Johns, the pilot; Signora Pazzi, an opera singer who can shatter glass with her voice; Bartholomew, a man who can change his skin color; and a woman who speaks only in riddles. They welcome Barnaby without judgment, interested in his ability to float. This meeting is Barnaby's first experience of acceptance and belonging outside his family's strict 'normal' world. They are going to Brazil.
Adventures in Brazil and the Circus
The hot air balloon lands in Brazil, where Barnaby and his new friends meet a welcoming community. Barnaby is drawn to a traveling circus, where he meets a kind ringmaster and performers who celebrate their unique talents instead of hiding them. He briefly joins the circus, using his floating ability as part of an act, and feels a sense of purpose and joy he never felt with his family. He forms close bonds with some performers, realizing that 'different' does not mean 'bad.' This time in Brazil helps Barnaby begin to heal from being abandoned and learn to embrace his own uniqueness, seeing it as a gift.
The Journey Continues to New York
Barnaby's journey continues as he floats across the Atlantic, landing in New York City. There, he meets a film director, Mr. O'Malley, who is interested in Barnaby's ability to float. Mr. O'Malley sees Barnaby's uniqueness as something marketable for a film. Barnaby experiences the city's energy and the world of filmmaking, where appearances often matter more than reality. While Mr. O'Malley is kind, Barnaby feels a different kind of pressure – the pressure to perform and be used for his unique gift, rather than simply accepted for who he is. He misses the genuine acceptance of his hot air balloon friends.
Australia and the Importance of Storytelling
Barnaby next finds himself in Australia, where he meets an Aboriginal elder who shares old stories and wisdom. The elder teaches Barnaby about the importance of connecting to the land, to one's ancestors, and to the stories that define a culture. Barnaby learns about different ways of seeing the world and the value of heritage, which contrasts with his own family's dismissal of anything that varied from their narrow idea of 'normal.' This meeting helps Barnaby understand that identity is complex and deeply rooted, and that his own story, however unusual, is part of a larger human experience. He begins to value his own journey as a unique story.
Reaching Tibet and the Monks' Wisdom
Barnaby's travels lead him to the serene mountains of Tibet, where he is welcomed into a monastery by Buddhist monks. Here, he finds peace and time for thought. The monks, who look beyond the obvious, accept Barnaby's floating without question, seeing it as simply another part of him. They teach him about inner peace, acceptance, and how all living things are connected. Barnaby spends time meditating and thinking about his journey, gaining clarity about his past and future. He realizes that true happiness comes from within and from accepting oneself, rather than from seeking approval from others.
The Call of Home and the Shadow of Doubt
While in Tibet, Barnaby receives a message from his parents, delivered through unusual events. They say they want him to return home, claiming they miss him and have changed. Barnaby is unsure. He wants the family he lost, but he remembers the pain and rejection they caused him. His new friends and experiences have taught him the value of self-acceptance and the good things about being different, making him cautious about returning to a life where he was forced to fit in. He wonders if his parents have truly changed or if they just want to restore their 'normal' image by having him back.
The Return to London and the Confrontation
Barnaby decides to return to London, with some of his new friends, including Captain W.E. Johns and Signora Pazzi. He arrives back at his old home, where his parents, Alistair and Eleanor, and his siblings, wait for him. The reunion is tense. His parents try to act as if nothing happened, but Barnaby has changed. He is no longer the scared, obedient boy they sent away. He confronts them about their actions and their obsession with normalcy, explaining the pain and loneliness they caused him. His parents, still stuck in their narrow view, struggle to understand his new confidence and self-acceptance.
Barnaby's Choice: Freedom or Conformity
During the confrontation, Barnaby realizes that his parents have not truly changed their basic beliefs about normalcy and difference. They still see his floating as a problem to solve, not a part of who he is. He looks at his parents, rigid and unhappy, and then at his eccentric, loving friends, who accept him completely. Barnaby makes a choice: he will not give up who he is for his parents' approval. He chooses to leave with his friends, embracing a life of freedom, adventure, and acceptance. He floats away from his old home, not with sadness, but with a sense of liberation, finally understanding that his 'terrible thing' is actually his greatest gift.
Principal Figures
Barnaby Brocket
The Protagonist
Barnaby transforms from a shamed, conformist child into a confident individual who embraces his unique ability and chooses a life of acceptance over familial approval.
Eleanor Brocket
The Antagonist/Supporting
She remains largely static, unable to overcome her obsession with normalcy and accept her son for who he is, highlighting the tragedy of her character.
Alistair Brocket
The Antagonist/Supporting
He remains unchanged, a symbol of rigid conformity and parental failure, unable to reconcile with his son's true nature.
Captain W.E. Johns
The Supporting
He serves as a consistent source of wisdom and acceptance, guiding Barnaby's journey of self-discovery without undergoing significant change himself.
Signora Pazzi
The Supporting
She provides consistent emotional support and acceptance to Barnaby, embodying the celebration of unique talents.
Bartholomew
The Supporting
He serves as an example of quiet self-acceptance, demonstrating that physical differences can be embraced rather than hidden.
Melanie Brocket
The Supporting
She remains a static character, entrenched in her parents' values of conformity and unable to accept Barnaby's difference.
Henry Brocket
The Supporting
He remains a static character, mirroring his parents' inability to accept anything outside their definition of normal.
Mr. O'Malley
The Supporting
He briefly offers Barnaby a place in the world of entertainment, highlighting the difference between acceptance and exploitation of unique traits.
Themes & Insights
Identity and Self-Acceptance
The main theme is Barnaby's journey to accept his ability to float and define his own identity, separate from his parents' strict ideas. At first, Barnaby is ashamed and tries to fit in, but his travels introduce him to many people who celebrate their differences. Through these meetings, especially with the hot air balloon crew and the Tibetan monks, Barnaby learns that his 'abnormality' is not a flaw but a part of him. His final decision to choose freedom and his new chosen family over his birth family's conditional love shows his full acceptance of himself.
““There are some things in life that you simply can’t change. And if you can’t change them, then you have to accept them. And if you can’t accept them, then you have to find a way to make them work for you.””
The Dangers of Conformity vs. The Beauty of Difference
The book shows a clear contrast between the stifling nature of conformity, seen in the Brocket family, and the joy found in embracing difference, shown by the passengers of the hot air balloon and the communities Barnaby meets. The Brockets' obsession with being 'normal' leads to unhappiness, fear, and abandoning their child. In contrast, characters like Signora Pazzi and Bartholomew, who openly show their unique traits, live happy lives. Barnaby's journey shows that true happiness and belonging come not from blending in, but from celebrating what makes one unique.
““Normal is just a setting on a washing machine.””
Family and Belonging
The novel explores different definitions of family. Barnaby's birth family, the Brockets, reject him because he does not fit their narrow idea of 'normal,' showing that biological ties do not guarantee love or acceptance. In contrast, the diverse group on the hot air balloon and the various communities Barnaby meets form a 'chosen family' that offers him unconditional love, support, and a true sense of belonging. This theme shows that true family is built on acceptance, understanding, and shared values, not on blood relation or societal expectations. Barnaby ultimately chooses this chosen family over his biological one.
““Family isn’t always about who you’re related to by blood. It’s about who accepts you for who you are.””
Prejudice and Acceptance
Prejudice against anything seen as 'abnormal' drives the story, starting with the Brockets' rejection of Barnaby. The book shows how fear of difference leads to cruelty and isolation. Conversely, Barnaby's journey is an example of acceptance, as he meets people and cultures that embrace uniqueness without judgment. From the inclusive circus performers in Brazil to the peaceful monks in Tibet, each meeting strengthens the idea that true understanding comes from open-mindedness and kindness, challenging the narrow views of Barnaby's first world.
““It was difficult to be different in a world that rewarded sameness.””
The Journey as a Metaphor for Life
Barnaby's physical journey around the world is a metaphor for his emotional and psychological journey of self-discovery and growth. Each place and character he meets represents a lesson or a stage in his development, from the initial shock of abandonment to finding acceptance and finally making an informed choice about his identity. The uncontrolled nature of his floating at first symbolizes his lack of control, but by the end, his ability to float becomes a symbol of his freedom and his embrace of his unique path, showing that unexpected turns in life can lead to deep self-understanding.
““Sometimes, when you have nothing, you have everything.””
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
Magical Realism/Fantasy Element (Floating)
Barnaby's inexplicable ability to float, a central driver of the plot and symbol of difference.
Barnaby's natural ability to float is the core magical realism element in the story. It is presented as an inherent, inexplicable trait, not a superpower to be controlled, but a fundamental aspect of his being. This 'terrible thing' is the catalyst for his parents' rejection and his subsequent global journey. It functions as a powerful symbol of individuality, difference, and anything that deviates from societal 'normalcy.' The reactions to his floating—fear and rejection from his family, curiosity and acceptance from others—drive the entire narrative and underscore the book's central themes.
The Hot Air Balloon
A literal and symbolic vehicle for freedom, acceptance, and a chosen family.
The hot air balloon is both a literal mode of transport for Barnaby's world tour and a profound symbol. It represents escape from the Brockets' suffocating normalcy and a sanctuary for those deemed 'abnormal.' The balloon carries a diverse crew of individuals who have found freedom and acceptance together, forming a chosen family. Its ability to float freely, unconstrained by roads or fixed destinations, mirrors the freedom and self-acceptance Barnaby ultimately finds. It is a symbol of hope, adventure, and the idea that one can find belonging outside conventional societal structures.
Global Journey/Picaresque Structure
Barnaby's episodic travels to various cultures, exposing him to diverse perspectives.
The novel employs a picaresque or episodic narrative structure, where Barnaby floats from one distinct location and set of characters to another (Brazil, New York, Australia, Tibet). Each stop on his involuntary world tour serves to broaden his perspective, introduce him to different ways of life, and challenge the narrow worldview he inherited. These diverse encounters are crucial for his character development, allowing him to experience acceptance, kindness, and different forms of 'normalcy,' which ultimately empowers him to define his own identity upon his return home.
Symbolism of 'Normalcy'
The Brockets' obsession with 'normal' as a symbol of societal pressure and repression.
The concept of 'normalcy' is a pervasive symbol throughout the book, particularly as embodied by the Brocket family. For Alistair and Eleanor, 'normal' represents respectability, social acceptance, and conformity, which they value above all else, even their own child's happiness. Their suburban home, their rigid routines, and their disdain for anything 'different' are all symbolic of the suffocating pressures of societal expectations. This 'normalcy' becomes a cage, trapping them in unhappiness and leading them to reject anything that threatens their carefully constructed facade, ultimately highlighting its destructive power.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“Gravity is just a suggestion, not a rule.”
— Barnaby explains his floating ability to a friend.
“Sometimes the most ordinary things are the most extraordinary.”
— Barnaby observes while floating above everyday scenes.
“You can't change who you are, but you can change how you see yourself.”
— A character advises Barnaby during his journey.
“Home isn't a place; it's the people who accept you as you are.”
— Barnaby realizes this after meeting diverse characters.
“The world is full of people trying to fit in, when they should be trying to stand out.”
— Barnaby's father, Alistair, muses on conformity.
“Fear is just another kind of gravity, holding you down.”
— Barnaby encourages someone to overcome their fears.
“Every family has its own kind of gravity, pulling you in different directions.”
— Barnaby reflects on his family's dynamics.
“Adventure is what happens when you stop trying to be normal.”
— Barnaby embraces his floating on his travels.
“Labels are for jars, not for people.”
— A minor character defends Barnaby from criticism.
“The sky isn't the limit; it's just the beginning.”
— Barnaby looks up while floating, feeling hopeful.
“Love should lift you up, not weigh you down.”
— Barnaby thinks about his parents' conditional love.
“Sometimes you have to lose your way to find yourself.”
— Barnaby gets lost but discovers new strengths.
“Difference isn't a problem to be solved; it's a gift to be celebrated.”
— Barnaby learns this from accepting characters.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
The book follows Barnaby Brocket, a boy born with the ability to float, which horrifies his rigidly normal parents. After they abandon him, Barnaby embarks on a global journey via hot air balloon, meeting diverse characters who help him embrace his uniqueness while searching for belonging.
About the author
John Boyne is an Irish novelist. He is the author of fourteen novels for adults, six novels for younger readers, two novellas and one collection of short stories. His novels are published in over 50 languages. His 2006 novel The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas was adapted into a 2008 film of the same name.
