John Boyne expresses a longing for the slower, simpler times of thirty years prior, contrasting it with the rapid pace of life in 1867. He finds the quick changes and constant movement of the era overwhelming and difficult to keep up with, which fuels his dissatisfaction with the present year.
There are days when I rather detest living in the year 1867. Everything moves so quickly. Change is happening at such a pace. I preferred the way of life thirty years ago when I was a boy.