The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys: A Novel

The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys: A Novel

by Fuhrman, Chris

4.4 (94)

4.4 stars from 94 reviews

204 pages~3.4 hr readPublished by University of Georgia Press

$12.9935% off peak

Last checked: Apr 18, 2026

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Price history: $2.99 $19.99

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Price range: $2.99 $19.99

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Fans of these authors will like this...

  • John Irving
  • David McCullough
  • Toni Morrison

Fans of these books will like this...

  • The Kite Runner
  • Stand by Me
  • A Separate Peace

Perfect for you if...

  • You grew up Catholic and remember the specific texture of that world: the guilt, the humour, the authority figures who weren't quite as untouchable as they seemed.
  • You love coming-of-age stories that capture how friendships feel when you're thirteen—chaotic, conspiratorial, and absolutely real.
  • You appreciate novels that balance genuine tenderness with irreverent comedy without turning either one into a punchline.

Maybe not for you if...

  • You prefer plot-driven narratives with high stakes and clear resolutions; this is character-rich and meandering.
  • You're looking for a gritty or dark take on Catholic institutions; Fuhrman treats his setting with affection rather than outrage.
  • You want a quick read; at 204 pages this moves at the unhurried pace of memory, not momentum.

About this book

Set in Savannah, Georgia, in the early 1970s, this novel follows Francis Doyle, Tim Sullivan, and three close friends—altar boys at Blessed Heart Catholic Church and eighth-grade classmates at the parish school. The boys are known for pranks, artistic pursuits, and disregard for adult authority. When their collaborative comic book, Sodom vs. Gomorrah '74, which depicts the church's nuns and priests breaking the seventh commandment, is discovered by the principal, the boys fear their parents will learn of it. They devise an elaborate diversion to deflect attention from the incident. The narrative weaves together scenes of school routines and the experiences of male adolescence—including first kisses and first hangovers—alongside the boys' preparations for their stunt.

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Price History

Kindle price over time. Green zones = periods when the book was free.

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Free$9.99$19.99Jul '20Dec '23Nov '24Apr '26
$2.99$19.99

Currently on sale at $12.99 — 35% off peak. Price has dropped 34 times over the last 6 years. Goes on sale roughly every 48 days.

Sales Rank

Amazon sales rank: lower number = better selling book. #1 is the bestseller.

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#34,697#840,825#1,646,953Sep '18Sep '23May '24Mar '26

Currently around #1,440K in the Kindle store — a niche title. Sales have softened 42% recently.

Rating & Reviews

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3.5★4.3★5.0★Nov '23Feb '24Mar '24Aug '25RatingReviews

Currently 4.4★ from 94 reviews

Review activity has been quiet recently. Rating has dipped slightly from 4.7 to 4.4.

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Free$9.99$19.99Jul '20Dec '23Nov '24Apr '26PredictedApr '26

Actual Predicted

This book is currently discounted at $12.99. It typically returns to around $19.99.

Prices shown in USD from Amazon US. We continuously pull new data to improve tracking. If dates look old, it usually means there has been no significant change since the last data point.

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Fuhrman, Chris

1 book on Vagrant Press

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