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Shannon
In the summer of 1922, Robert Shannon, a Marine chaplain and a young American hero of the Great War, lands in Ireland. He still suffers from shell shock, and his mentor hopes that a journey Robert had always wanted to make—to find his family roots along the banks of the River Shannon—will restore his equilibrium and his vocation. But there is more to the On his return from the war, Robert had witnessed startling corruption in the Archdiocese of Boston. He has been sent to Ireland to secure his silence—permanently. As Robert faces the dangers of a strife-torn Ireland roiling in civil war, the nation’s myths and people, its beliefs and traditions, unfurl healingly before him. And the River Shannon gives comfort to the young man who is inspired by the words of his “Find your soul and you’ll live.”
From the eBook edition.
From the eBook edition.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
About the author
Frank Delaney
53 books585 followersFrank Delaney was an author, a broadcaster on both television and radio, journalist, screenwriter, playwright, lecturer, and a judge of many literary prizes. Delaney interviewed more than 3,500 of the world's most important writers. NPR called him 'The Most Eloquent Man in the World'. Delaney was born and raised in County Tipperary, Ireland, spent more than twenty-five years in England before moving to the United States in 2002. He lived in Litchfield County, Connecticut, with his wife, writer and marketer, Diane Meier.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 248 reviews
July 5, 2017
This novel reminded me, very pleasantly, of the historical fiction I used to read when I was a teenager - the kind of book that you slid into your handbag just in case you got stuck in line somewhere and could sneak in another three minutes to read.
As I am planning a trekking trip to the Irish countryside in June, I thought I'd read fiction set in Ireland rather than the dry crumbs offered by guidebooks. I'm glad I did, as Frank Delaney's book is laced with interesting legends and fascinating facts about the island. This novel is, naturally, mostly about the area surrounding the Shannon River but the post-World War I climate applies to the whole country. Somewhere mid-journey, the central character Robert Shannon (RC priest and veteran chaplain of Belleau Wood) comes across a man weeping bitterly on a bridge, his head bent to the rail. The crying man had heard that Michael Collins had been killed. The scene moved me.
The style of this novel is traditional, but the writing is good - downright beautiful in spots. The way of it reminded me of Colleen McCullough's books (which I once ate up like an insane person). Frank Delaney loves Ireland, that's for sure. The description of the countryside and the characterizations of its people are full of that love.
As I am planning a trekking trip to the Irish countryside in June, I thought I'd read fiction set in Ireland rather than the dry crumbs offered by guidebooks. I'm glad I did, as Frank Delaney's book is laced with interesting legends and fascinating facts about the island. This novel is, naturally, mostly about the area surrounding the Shannon River but the post-World War I climate applies to the whole country. Somewhere mid-journey, the central character Robert Shannon (RC priest and veteran chaplain of Belleau Wood) comes across a man weeping bitterly on a bridge, his head bent to the rail. The crying man had heard that Michael Collins had been killed. The scene moved me.
The style of this novel is traditional, but the writing is good - downright beautiful in spots. The way of it reminded me of Colleen McCullough's books (which I once ate up like an insane person). Frank Delaney loves Ireland, that's for sure. The description of the countryside and the characterizations of its people are full of that love.
May 15, 2009
Frank Delaney has proven to be a very consistent author. While not perfect, Shannon proved to be just as satisfying as his other recent works, filled with rich details about his home country and the quirks of its people.
Like with his previous books, Ireland and Tipperary, Delaney crafts a complex and realistic character, and almost uses him as an excuse to explore the natural beauty, history, mythology, and politics of Ireland; the country itself tends to serve as the protagonist in Delaney's works. This time around, however, the story is considerably darker; the narrative follows Catholic priest and WWI veteran Robert Shannon, a victim of profound Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder that was triggered first on the battlefields of France and again within the secret corners of the church after the war, as he travels along his namesake river in Ireland in an attempt to find his family's history. Though he makes the journey as a fragile innocent, attempting to heal his own shattered psyche, the reader learns that the trip might have been masterminded by powerful men in the church, and that the cause of his shell shock relapse might be more dangerous (to both those same powerful men and to himself) than he realizes. As Robert wanders like a sleepwalker through a nation troubled (unbeknownst to our war-weary traveler) with the beginnings of its own war, he is followed, guided, hunted, and protected by people who have various stakes in the success of his mental recovery.
That synopsis makes the story sound exciting, and with this book being a considerably slimmer volume (just under 400 pages) than Delaney's other books, I somewhat expected the story to move fast and focus more on the main narrative than on the enchanted Irish setting. This, however, proved not to be the case; Delaney tells the story with what I am beginning to recognize as his signature style, by setting a deeply conflicted character loose into a lush, fully realized, and lovingly painted landscape, and letting the story happen organically through the character's detailed observations of the land and people around him. This can make for slow going in terms of plot, but once again I found myself so enthralled by the colorful anecdotes, rustic characters, and political machinations of Delaney's Ireland that I didn't at all mind the leisurely pace of the story. The narrative eventually evolves into a poignant love story, if somewhat awkward and curiously solemn and light on actual passion, that is actually reminiscent of the main story of Tipperary. While the last third of the book threatens to descend at turns into mawkishness and gloom, the ending maintains a surprising level of suspense and finishes on a quietly satisfying note, with all loose ends neatly tied up and (importantly, in my mind) the protagonists finding some of what they want/need while preparing to continue the fight for the rest.
Characters are given histories and depth through various flashbacks that detail the paths which led them to their current roles in the story. Things are a little hit and miss here; I found Robert to be a fascinating character, and was sympathetic to and curious about him from the very beginning. Ellie Kennedy, a figure from Robert's wartime past that ends up playing an important part in his current journey, is also an interesting and likable character. However, I think more time than necessary was spent on Robert's bombastic mentor in the church, and while details on the story's shadowy antagonist are important, a lot of them seemed somewhat irrelevant, if interesting. Some of the bit players in the story seem almost like stereotypes in their simplicity, though every one is certainly charming and enjoyable to read about.
Shannon seems almost like an experiment for Delaney; it feels like a step away from his previous atmospheric works, and an attempt at integrating that successful style into a more cohesive and engaging story. However, it retains most of what makes Delaney's stories so recognizable and interesting: the layered characters, the detailed (and entertainingly told) snippets of Irish history and mythology, and the tendency to make Ireland itself the real hero of the story. This clash of setting and plot threatens to be discordant every now and again, but it ultimately works. As with Delaney's other books, I would highly recommend this to anyone with an interest in Irish history or historical fiction, and most especially to those interested in both.
Like with his previous books, Ireland and Tipperary, Delaney crafts a complex and realistic character, and almost uses him as an excuse to explore the natural beauty, history, mythology, and politics of Ireland; the country itself tends to serve as the protagonist in Delaney's works. This time around, however, the story is considerably darker; the narrative follows Catholic priest and WWI veteran Robert Shannon, a victim of profound Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder that was triggered first on the battlefields of France and again within the secret corners of the church after the war, as he travels along his namesake river in Ireland in an attempt to find his family's history. Though he makes the journey as a fragile innocent, attempting to heal his own shattered psyche, the reader learns that the trip might have been masterminded by powerful men in the church, and that the cause of his shell shock relapse might be more dangerous (to both those same powerful men and to himself) than he realizes. As Robert wanders like a sleepwalker through a nation troubled (unbeknownst to our war-weary traveler) with the beginnings of its own war, he is followed, guided, hunted, and protected by people who have various stakes in the success of his mental recovery.
That synopsis makes the story sound exciting, and with this book being a considerably slimmer volume (just under 400 pages) than Delaney's other books, I somewhat expected the story to move fast and focus more on the main narrative than on the enchanted Irish setting. This, however, proved not to be the case; Delaney tells the story with what I am beginning to recognize as his signature style, by setting a deeply conflicted character loose into a lush, fully realized, and lovingly painted landscape, and letting the story happen organically through the character's detailed observations of the land and people around him. This can make for slow going in terms of plot, but once again I found myself so enthralled by the colorful anecdotes, rustic characters, and political machinations of Delaney's Ireland that I didn't at all mind the leisurely pace of the story. The narrative eventually evolves into a poignant love story, if somewhat awkward and curiously solemn and light on actual passion, that is actually reminiscent of the main story of Tipperary. While the last third of the book threatens to descend at turns into mawkishness and gloom, the ending maintains a surprising level of suspense and finishes on a quietly satisfying note, with all loose ends neatly tied up and (importantly, in my mind) the protagonists finding some of what they want/need while preparing to continue the fight for the rest.
Characters are given histories and depth through various flashbacks that detail the paths which led them to their current roles in the story. Things are a little hit and miss here; I found Robert to be a fascinating character, and was sympathetic to and curious about him from the very beginning. Ellie Kennedy, a figure from Robert's wartime past that ends up playing an important part in his current journey, is also an interesting and likable character. However, I think more time than necessary was spent on Robert's bombastic mentor in the church, and while details on the story's shadowy antagonist are important, a lot of them seemed somewhat irrelevant, if interesting. Some of the bit players in the story seem almost like stereotypes in their simplicity, though every one is certainly charming and enjoyable to read about.
Shannon seems almost like an experiment for Delaney; it feels like a step away from his previous atmospheric works, and an attempt at integrating that successful style into a more cohesive and engaging story. However, it retains most of what makes Delaney's stories so recognizable and interesting: the layered characters, the detailed (and entertainingly told) snippets of Irish history and mythology, and the tendency to make Ireland itself the real hero of the story. This clash of setting and plot threatens to be discordant every now and again, but it ultimately works. As with Delaney's other books, I would highly recommend this to anyone with an interest in Irish history or historical fiction, and most especially to those interested in both.
May 30, 2012
I can't get through his books in one or two sittings because the content is rich and full of history. He must love his native Ireland very much because he takes the reader on a journey around the island similar to that in his other book Ireland. It makes it very hard for me to know where to start should I ever make at trip there! However the journey in this book is very different because it shows the effect of war on soldiers and the people. It is outside the usual for me to read because of this aspect. The main character is trying to find his ancestral roots and I related to this, since I too would like to know more about my family tree. It's not quite the easiest thing to do and we see his frustrations along the way. Delaney also gives us a peak into the world of priests and their political machinations, this is another aspect of the book of which I don't have much reading experience. It may be a commentary on his own thoughts on the men who take up the cloth for to God.
June 12, 2009
This is a gem! I have read his other novels and thoroughly enjoyed them, but this one is outstanding. You can actually feel the pain the soldier and nurse are experiencing. He made his characters so real. And the plot that includes action, mystery, adventure, well it has it all!
Unforgettable.
Unforgettable.
June 5, 2017
At the end of WWI, in 1922, Robert Shannon, an American shell-shocked Catholic chaplain on his road to recovery, decides to trace his ancestors’ roots in Ireland. The Shannon is the longest river of the Emerald Isle. Robert’s journey begins at Tarbert, the river’s mouth, and then proceeds up its banks exploring the origins of his name in order to find his “people”, his ancestors.
As he wanders the countryside, he encounters many locals who will share with him the history of the land, ancient legends and their own stories. The trip is not idyllic however, Ireland is in the midst of a civil war, armed bands of nationalists roam the beautiful countryside, but the biggest danger comes from home, the Archdiocese of Boston is attempting to cover scandals at the high level and Robert is a threat.
Even if it the novel not a mystery per se, quest of the protagonist poses questions for the reader and there is a level of suspense throughout the book, what secrets does Robert know? flashbacks reveal both Father Robert painful past as well as the troubled life of a dangerous man named Vincent Patrick Ryan who is following him.
The plot takes many delightful detours into Irish folklore and reveals the background of various side characters, I didn’t mind that. This is a lovely novel, with a slow rhythm narrative, that allows the reader to be absorbed in the atmosphere of Ireland recent past and its beautiful scenery. Recommended. 3.5 stars
Fav Quotes:
Francis Carberry said, “My hunch is that we don't know the half of what we do. And we spend the rest of our lives getting over what we've done.”
“I come from New England.” “Badly needed,” called somebody, and many cackled, realizing he meant that the world needs a “new” England since the “old” England has so much wrong with it.
As he wanders the countryside, he encounters many locals who will share with him the history of the land, ancient legends and their own stories. The trip is not idyllic however, Ireland is in the midst of a civil war, armed bands of nationalists roam the beautiful countryside, but the biggest danger comes from home, the Archdiocese of Boston is attempting to cover scandals at the high level and Robert is a threat.
Even if it the novel not a mystery per se, quest of the protagonist poses questions for the reader and there is a level of suspense throughout the book, what secrets does Robert know? flashbacks reveal both Father Robert painful past as well as the troubled life of a dangerous man named Vincent Patrick Ryan who is following him.
The plot takes many delightful detours into Irish folklore and reveals the background of various side characters, I didn’t mind that. This is a lovely novel, with a slow rhythm narrative, that allows the reader to be absorbed in the atmosphere of Ireland recent past and its beautiful scenery. Recommended. 3.5 stars
Fav Quotes:
Francis Carberry said, “My hunch is that we don't know the half of what we do. And we spend the rest of our lives getting over what we've done.”
“I come from New England.” “Badly needed,” called somebody, and many cackled, realizing he meant that the world needs a “new” England since the “old” England has so much wrong with it.
August 18, 2009
Robert Shannon, a Catholic priest has traveled to Ireland in search of his family roots. All he knows about his family is that his family's name came from the famous Shannon River. Robert is suffering from shell shock and it is hoped that this journey will help in his recovery.
As Robert journeys through Ireland, he meets all types of people. They help him heal as they kindly take him in and feed him, but he helps them in return. He meets a man named Francis who has lost his wife--an army nurse--during the war. As Robert and Francis speak of his wife's early death, Robert asks him how much the loss hurt. Francis says that many days he doesn't want to live, that he doesn't want to breath. "I have no soul left. My soul is gone."
"Maybe," said Robert, "maybe your soul has just changed in shape...Are you kinder now than you were? A better teacher?"
Francis Cutberry smiled and nodded. He thought for many seconds and said, "Yes, I am. Yes, I think I see what you mean."
As Robert journeys through Ireland, he meets all types of people. They help him heal as they kindly take him in and feed him, but he helps them in return. He meets a man named Francis who has lost his wife--an army nurse--during the war. As Robert and Francis speak of his wife's early death, Robert asks him how much the loss hurt. Francis says that many days he doesn't want to live, that he doesn't want to breath. "I have no soul left. My soul is gone."
"Maybe," said Robert, "maybe your soul has just changed in shape...Are you kinder now than you were? A better teacher?"
Francis Cutberry smiled and nodded. He thought for many seconds and said, "Yes, I am. Yes, I think I see what you mean."
June 6, 2023
A little slow at times and a somewhat off-beat storyline but still entertaining and interesting enough. Frank Delaney writes of Ireland from a place of profound historical knowledge, empathy and understanding of the Irish people while not sugarcoating the flaws in the national character. Whether it is about Brian Boru, Michael Collins, the Munster Fusiliers, the role of the Catholic Church or about the Abbey at Clonmacnoise located along the banks of the River Shannon, Delaney is a sure guide. While the main character is named Shannon, the river itself has a starring role too. I learned quite a bit the River Shannon, the longest and most important in Ireland. It really is the heart of the country, sort of their Mississippi River. I won't go into the story as many other reviews are out there, but the subject matter is both different and worthy and the characters memorable. 3.5 stars rounded down.
January 12, 2023
Fr. Robert Shannon, suffering PTSD from being a WWI chaplain, travels across Ireland in search of his ancestry. There was probably a good story in there but the detail of the journey grew tedious. I have to admit I did skim some parts (and didn't really miss anything). I feel bad about this review because Frank Delaney is a friend of my cousin Neil, and the book I read was a personalized autographed copy. None of that made the book better!
May 3, 2021
A meandering tale that took too long to tell. Some good moments but needed an editor 2.5 stars due to boredom 🤨
July 9, 2017
This book has similar themes as The Odyssey and Cold Mountain in that it is the story of a soldier returning from war. Instead of Ancient Greece or Civil War era America, this journey follows an American chaplain, shell-shocked from WWI, trying to trace his Irish roots in order to regain his balance and ability to cope with the horrors of war. Robert Shannon is a sympathetic character, heartbreaking in fact. What he has seen on the battlefield in France, not to mention some problems within the hierarchy of his beloved Catholic Church, has scarred him deeply and caused him to lose his soul. In order to regain it, he undertakes a pilgrimage along the River Shannon. As he travels, he encounters many warm Irish people and some unsavory ones as well, including participants from both sides of the Irish Civil War centered in Limerick in 1922. His healing is a slow process and Frank Delaney writes it with wonderful empathy. There is a sinister subplot that adds an intensity that makes the book hard to put down. In addition to the Irish history it covers, it includes tons of Irish folklore, which to me is just delightful. I felt as though I was back in Ireland. I loved it.
July 4, 2020
This beautiful book called to me and I am so glad I listened. ( I read the Large Print version which almost reached 600 pages.) This masterful novel tells the healing story of Robert who is suffering from shell shock (PTSD) from when he served as a chaplain in the American Army in France (WWI). With his return to Boston, his colleagues have the brilliant plan to send him to Ireland where he can travel the Shannon River searching for the roots of his surname, "Shannon". We journey along with him and it is absolutely entertaining as he meets interesting characters along the way. There is also the drama of the civil war. And much much more. The book is broken down into 6 sections: A rough divinity/The benefits of the past/A quiet, watered land/The shy advance of dawn/The pool of knowledge/The magic of choice. The writing throughout the book is as rich as these titles. The author translates Irish turns of phrase so we understand what they mean. Irish mythology and spirituality, history and lore are deftly woven into the story. Ireland is presented in all of its glorious beauty. However, and I appreciate this, the dysfunction and warts are also highlighted. Two favorite quotes in the book:
p. 315 Irish people are very respectful of a curse.
First page Author's note: Much of our power comes from our past.
p. 315 Irish people are very respectful of a curse.
First page Author's note: Much of our power comes from our past.
April 23, 2022
This is the story of a priest from Boston who served as an Army chaplain during WWI. He became known for his heroism while rescuing injured soldiers from the battlefield until he suddenly got shellshock and had to be shipped home, where he suffered a second attack and became completely debilitated. The diocese sends him to Ireland, supposedly to search for his family tree while also trying to recover from his mental injuries. He follows the Shannon River from one end to the other and back, meeting a wide range of the Irish locals, including both troops and irregulars fighting during the Irish rising. While this book was mostly an insight into one lone war victim and his recovery, it provided a terrific view into rural Irish life after WWI. While we gradually watch the priest recover, we also see the cathartic experience of another man sent to find him. This was truly a wonderful book!
July 23, 2017
Robert Shanon is a chaplain with the US army sent over to Europe in WWI. He makes it his mission to save as many of his comrades as possible at Belleau Wood but the bloody reality of war leaves the father with shell shock and he is sent back home to recover, but he ends up doing this in Ireland.
It was a bit surprising to find Robert Shanon's adventures in Ireland mixed with tales and intrigues of the catholic church. I personally did not care for this part of the intrigue but Delaney managed to integrate it subtly enough among the regales of civil war stricken Ireland of the 1920s and what seemed to be a faithful insight into the mind of a PTSD suffering soldier on his way to recovery.
It was a compelling read and though I found the fiction to be naive at times it struck a cord with me.
It was a bit surprising to find Robert Shanon's adventures in Ireland mixed with tales and intrigues of the catholic church. I personally did not care for this part of the intrigue but Delaney managed to integrate it subtly enough among the regales of civil war stricken Ireland of the 1920s and what seemed to be a faithful insight into the mind of a PTSD suffering soldier on his way to recovery.
It was a compelling read and though I found the fiction to be naive at times it struck a cord with me.
January 29, 2020
I had never read any of Delaney's books so "Shannon" was a first. It appealed to me in part because of the location of Ireland but also because of it's subject of shell shock (now referred to as PTSD). I learned much about the condition and cried over how debilitating, unpredictable, and devastating it can be not just in the person experiencing PTSD but family, friends and caretakers.
Mr. Delaney has a decent writing style although I found the book meandered like a river and wondered if that was intentional. The transition from one character to another, from current to past time, was a bit difficult to adjust to.
The story, despite its subject, was inspiring and educational. I was delighted with the ending and will probably read other books by Delaney.
Mr. Delaney has a decent writing style although I found the book meandered like a river and wondered if that was intentional. The transition from one character to another, from current to past time, was a bit difficult to adjust to.
The story, despite its subject, was inspiring and educational. I was delighted with the ending and will probably read other books by Delaney.
March 19, 2021
4.7 stars- Enjoyed soo much. WWI, and Ireland. Robert Shannon a young American priest who works to save many, and comfort those who are dying. Robert goes to Ireland to find his family roots. A story of two men who served and the Irish nurse Ellie Kennedy who had also served in France. Two men so different, both who suffer from PTSD. One who finds his true self, and one who finds he simply enjoys killing. Also, along their travels many references to the Irish settlers who came to the U.S. I must read more Delaney.
January 17, 2020
I couldn't finish it ...just so slow moving. I liked what I read ..maybe I'll revisit it someday.
August 16, 2017
A most enjoyable read if a bit disjointed in places. An epic tale of hate, love, war, politics and religion as Father Robert Shannon searches for his roots in order to find peace within after WWI and a secret confession. Little does he know how he is being pursued which at times is frightening and then almost comedic. Who will get there first and what will happen to Father Robert?
I was not familiar with this author but will look for his books in the future. Good story-teller
I was not familiar with this author but will look for his books in the future. Good story-teller
June 16, 2011
I hated to finish this, last of the Frank Delaney novels, that I have so much enjoyed. I have learned so much history through his books placed in Ireland during the early 1900's. This one is the touching, tender story of a young priest who suffered "shell shock" during the horrific battle of Belleau Wood in France during WW I. He is sent to Ireland from Boston to "recover" while on a journey to discover his family roots. His last name is Shannon, so he naturally is attracted to the Shannon River in the home of his ancestors. His walk through the country and the people he meets is story enough, but add to that the fact that someone is sent to find and kill him so that he does not "remember" damaging facts about the Archbishop in Boston, and someone one else is striving to find him to enhance his own position in the Catholic church and you have a dynamic tale.
While our young priest is recovering and growing stronger, he also encounters a nurse that he had known while in Belleau Wood. She is home now in Ireland on her family farm. How they meet, how she plays a part in his recovery and how their futures are changed forever also present a wonderful story.
READ all of his books! They are wonderful. This one was probably my favorite.
While our young priest is recovering and growing stronger, he also encounters a nurse that he had known while in Belleau Wood. She is home now in Ireland on her family farm. How they meet, how she plays a part in his recovery and how their futures are changed forever also present a wonderful story.
READ all of his books! They are wonderful. This one was probably my favorite.
April 3, 2019
This is a very good book ... though actually several different story lines all put together quite beautifully. I was totally enchanted by the delightful story of a priest's journey north along the eastern shore of the Shannon & back south. The descriptions of the towns, castles, and especially the Shannon River are wonderful! It also tells the story of the priest's search for healing from the "shell shock" he suffered in WWI, and there were some very interesting ideas proposed in this novel. I was interested in the bits of Irish history that are strewn throughout the book, and several times had to stop and look up information regarding the bloody history. To a lesser degree, but still interesting, are bits of information about WWI, presented in a way that helps the reader comprehend the horror of war without being too bloody and gruesome in the descriptions. I was less thrilled with the underlying current of politics and corruption in the Catholic Church, but it did add some tension to the story that would otherwise have been a lazy float down a lovely river.
April 27, 2009
Find your soul and you'll live. Lose your soul and you'll die.
A beautifully descriptive book of post WWI Ireland and one Catholic Priest-Robert Shannon's quest to find himself after suffering from shell shock while serving as a Chaplin for the US Marines in France. Visiting the home of his ancestors in beautiful Ireland following the river that bears his name, Robert Shannon must learn how to find his soul and live or lose his soul and die.
A beautifully descriptive book of post WWI Ireland and one Catholic Priest-Robert Shannon's quest to find himself after suffering from shell shock while serving as a Chaplin for the US Marines in France. Visiting the home of his ancestors in beautiful Ireland following the river that bears his name, Robert Shannon must learn how to find his soul and live or lose his soul and die.
August 11, 2011
The spirit of the Irish bard lives on in Frank Delaney. In his novels, Ireland and Tipperary he began a tradition he continues in the novel Shannon. Deftly he intertwines his story of a young priest broken by WWI and the corruption of the Catholic Archdiocese of Boston in the early 1920's with the legends of Ireland from long ago and Irish history of not quite so long ago. As in his previous works the story is excellent, the tales of Ireland fascinating and the language lyrical.
April 4, 2019
This is the second time I’ve read this book, and it fit my reading mood perfectly. I believe the slow flow of the Shannon River fits the pace of reading this book....read it slowly and savor the rich language and engaging narrative. Shannon further makes me want to visit Ireland and its delightful people and landscape.
May 26, 2020
Okay, so this book tried to be everything to everybody...travelogue, historical fiction, family drama, Romance, war story, expose, thriller. Didn’t succeed at any of it. I finished it though so it gets two stars. I was hoping for a more complex ending too.
March 15, 2009
This book was a wonderful read! The author captured the essence of Ireland and its' people. The story was absorbing and entertaining!
March 31, 2009
I didn't plan it this way but I happened to be right in the middle of this book on St. Patricks day, how perfect! I adore Ireland and have seen the Shannon River. I really enjoyed this book.
April 4, 2009
It's a more complex novel, quite enjoyable.
April 20, 2009
excellent writing; great story about a man searching for his heritage and his soul in beautiful Ireland.
June 8, 2024
Usually love Delaney’s books. Could not get into this one. An American WW I veteran catholic priest with PTSD finding his roots in Ireland - not a story that I could get into
January 25, 2020
Yes, this book is definitely a ‘novel of Ireland’ as its title implies. The same is true with the one other book that I have read by this author titled (obviously) ‘Ireland’. It’s apparent that author Frank Delaney has a soft spot in his heart for this country, and this is actually an advantage to the reader since Delaney makes it so easy for us to virtually travel to the fabled Emerald Isle and bask in its many descriptive beauties. We fall in love with the country even though we may have never actually traveled there.
The year is 1922 and our focus is an American traveling abroad; a priest named Robert Shannon. Father Shannon was a chaplain during World War I and, like many, he physically survived, but his psyche became permanently damaged with PTSD, or what was then termed “Shell Shock”. His monsignor in Boston suggests a trip to Shannon’s native Ireland in search of his family history. This, the monsignor believes, just might start the young priest on a load road to recovery.
Since the time is 1922, customs allow the elder priest to dictate several letters to the people in places in Ireland where Father Shannon will eventually journey. This means that folks will be on the lookout for a wandering American and be able to open their doors and their hearts to aid the priest in his healing process. The location for most of the travels in Ireland is up the Shannon river, which may or may not be named after the same namesake as the young priest. But, it’s as good a start as anywhere. So Father Shannon begins his journey, and as he meets a slew of strangers, the majority are incredibly hospitable and allow Father Shannon to stay and eat with them as long as he would like. This seems a fitting way to treat of man of God, after all.
The journey isn’t always pleasant. There’s a civil war going on in Ireland, and although we read about small snippets of encounters, the bigger war is still going on in Father Shannon’s mind and in his soul. It’s a very long healing process, and who knows if he can ever be completely healed. Fortunately (and I hate to use that word) the great war had killed and maimed millions across Europe, so a case of ‘shell shock’ isn’t really much of an abnormality for the masses that Father Shannon meets along his travels.
There’s a bit more to the story as well. It seems as though there’s a bit of an ulterior motive for the Boston Diocese for sending young Father Shannon out of the country. I won’t get into the particulars, but the subplot actually helped the overall story. After all, as beautiful as 1920’s Ireland is, there does need to be a bit more substance if a reader is going to stay interested throughout several hundred pages.
I thought this was a very rich and beautiful novel. Had the story been changed with different events that would allow the tale to be told in ‘modern’ times, I’m not sure it would have worked. Although I’ve never visited Ireland, I can’t believe that in today’s world, many would open their doors to a stranger from another continent, even if he was a man of the cloth. To my knowledge, most if not all of the late Frank Delaney’s books take place, in some form, in the country of Ireland. If that’s the case, I’m perfectly fine with it. It’s always nice to find an author that has a slightly different niche that helps them stand out among their peers. Taking the reader on a virtual journey to a beautiful foreign country worked out very well for me. I thank the author for the magnificent trip.
The year is 1922 and our focus is an American traveling abroad; a priest named Robert Shannon. Father Shannon was a chaplain during World War I and, like many, he physically survived, but his psyche became permanently damaged with PTSD, or what was then termed “Shell Shock”. His monsignor in Boston suggests a trip to Shannon’s native Ireland in search of his family history. This, the monsignor believes, just might start the young priest on a load road to recovery.
Since the time is 1922, customs allow the elder priest to dictate several letters to the people in places in Ireland where Father Shannon will eventually journey. This means that folks will be on the lookout for a wandering American and be able to open their doors and their hearts to aid the priest in his healing process. The location for most of the travels in Ireland is up the Shannon river, which may or may not be named after the same namesake as the young priest. But, it’s as good a start as anywhere. So Father Shannon begins his journey, and as he meets a slew of strangers, the majority are incredibly hospitable and allow Father Shannon to stay and eat with them as long as he would like. This seems a fitting way to treat of man of God, after all.
The journey isn’t always pleasant. There’s a civil war going on in Ireland, and although we read about small snippets of encounters, the bigger war is still going on in Father Shannon’s mind and in his soul. It’s a very long healing process, and who knows if he can ever be completely healed. Fortunately (and I hate to use that word) the great war had killed and maimed millions across Europe, so a case of ‘shell shock’ isn’t really much of an abnormality for the masses that Father Shannon meets along his travels.
There’s a bit more to the story as well. It seems as though there’s a bit of an ulterior motive for the Boston Diocese for sending young Father Shannon out of the country. I won’t get into the particulars, but the subplot actually helped the overall story. After all, as beautiful as 1920’s Ireland is, there does need to be a bit more substance if a reader is going to stay interested throughout several hundred pages.
I thought this was a very rich and beautiful novel. Had the story been changed with different events that would allow the tale to be told in ‘modern’ times, I’m not sure it would have worked. Although I’ve never visited Ireland, I can’t believe that in today’s world, many would open their doors to a stranger from another continent, even if he was a man of the cloth. To my knowledge, most if not all of the late Frank Delaney’s books take place, in some form, in the country of Ireland. If that’s the case, I’m perfectly fine with it. It’s always nice to find an author that has a slightly different niche that helps them stand out among their peers. Taking the reader on a virtual journey to a beautiful foreign country worked out very well for me. I thank the author for the magnificent trip.
April 9, 2020
Robert Shannon is an Irish-American priest from Boston who served as a Marine Corps chaplain during the first World War. At the battle of Belleau Wood he developed what was then called shell shock (what we now call PTSD) as a response to the horrors that he witnessed. Invalided home, he's put back to work in the chancery where he suffers a relapse. He is given into the care of a Polish archbishop in Connecticut in hopes of restoring him to normalcy. After he is slightly recovered, it is decided to send him alone to Ireland to follow the Shannon River and maybe discover some of his ancestors and relatives. Most of the book is concerned with Robert's walk of discovery. Along the way we are treated to some history, some legend and the colorful characters who Robert meets in his travels. But Robert's journey is not the only journey we follow. Archbishop Anthony Sevovicz is the Polish-born former Archbishop of Elk who is sent to Boston as a coadjutor to Cardinal O'Connell. It seems that he was removed for playing fast and loose with the diocesan finances and is sent to Boston by the Vatican to keep an eye on the Cardinal. O'Connell doesn't want him so he sends him to Hartford and puts him in charge of Robert's rehabilitation. There is also another character, Vincent Ryan, whose story parallels Robert's but is much less happy. Vincent is born in Ireland and experienced an abusive childhood. Coming to America, he is adopted by a family but the trauma of his childhood has marked him deeply. He enlists in the Marines during the war and is sent to France where he develops a knack and fascination for killing. After the war, he becomes an enforcer for a corrupt accountant and continues to hone his "skill". This is where the stories of these three main characters intersect. Robert apparently knows something about the chicanery in the Boston chancery (although he cannot remember) so some people in league with the cardinal decide he must be eliminated. Vincent is despatched to Ireland to do the deed while Sevovicz rushes off to save him when he figures it out. Robert does make a recovery on his trip especially due to the efforts of Ellie Kennedy, an Irish nurse who served with the American forces during the war and remembers Robert before his breakdown.
The book is both informative and entertaining. Given its structure, it has some sense of the travelogue about it. Narrated in the third person, it's almost as if the story is being told by a bardic storyteller with minor excursions into history, legend, and geography rather than pure narrative. That only serves to enhance the experience of the book since Delaney's descriptions paint a visual picture in the mind of the Shannon River and its environs. One jarring note, at least for me, was Delaney's seeming ignorance of how the Catholic Church works. Archbishop Sevovicz is called a coadjutor which would make him the second in command in Boston but he is sent to Hartford which is (and was then) a separate diocese. And, although things were slightly different in the 1920s, an Archbishop would have no real authority over the bishop of another diocese. It's a minor quibble, perhaps, but the story could have been better if the author got things right.
The book is both informative and entertaining. Given its structure, it has some sense of the travelogue about it. Narrated in the third person, it's almost as if the story is being told by a bardic storyteller with minor excursions into history, legend, and geography rather than pure narrative. That only serves to enhance the experience of the book since Delaney's descriptions paint a visual picture in the mind of the Shannon River and its environs. One jarring note, at least for me, was Delaney's seeming ignorance of how the Catholic Church works. Archbishop Sevovicz is called a coadjutor which would make him the second in command in Boston but he is sent to Hartford which is (and was then) a separate diocese. And, although things were slightly different in the 1920s, an Archbishop would have no real authority over the bishop of another diocese. It's a minor quibble, perhaps, but the story could have been better if the author got things right.
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