Follow the river Shannon by Frank Delaney
Frank Delaney continues to astound me. He tackles what appears to be from the title, a massive and overwhelming history lesson of the River Shannon in Ireland. The story is set in 1922, shortly after World War I and just at the beginning of the Irish Civil War. Both of these historic events play an integral role in the story. Similar to his previous novel, Ireland, he introduces his main character, a Father Robert Shannon, which enables him to weave the two stories into one. The River Shannon, her beauty, her legends, and her lore, give comfort to Fr. Shannon, who is inspired by the words of his mentor: "Find your soul and
you'll live." Father Shannon has been sent to Ireland by the Archbishop of Boston, Cardinal O'Connell, to trace his family roots as a means to recovering from his traumatic experience at the Battle of Belleau Wood in France. Shannon is suffering from "shell shock" or PTSD as we know it today.
The River Shannon not only serves as a main character in the story, but it also serves as an allegory to Fr. Shannon's recovery. The story begins simply enough as story of a young priest trying to recover his health, his mind and his soul by following the intricate and diverse path of the river. His story becomes much more involved as Delaney gradually peals away the various layers of Father Shannon's experience in WWI, as well as his traumatic experience in the Boston diocese. Delaney weaves together several historical events, the Battle of Belleau Wood, the Irish Civil War, the death of Michael Collins and the controversy surrounding Cardinal O'Connell of Boston.
Since Cardinal O'Connell has some ties to my family's history, I decided to research him to find out how much of this part of the novel was true. Not surprisingly the core of this subplot in Shannon is quite accurate. I guess it just goes to show that truth is stranger than fiction. I would strongly recommend you follow Father Shannon's trek along the shores of the River Shannon. Shannon is a timeless and unforgettable story of a troubled man's salvation, belief, duty, devotion - and the healing power of discovering one's true vocation.
The River Shannon not only serves as a main character in the story, but it also serves as an allegory to Fr. Shannon's recovery. The story begins simply enough as story of a young priest trying to recover his health, his mind and his soul by following the intricate and diverse path of the river. His story becomes much more involved as Delaney gradually peals away the various layers of Father Shannon's experience in WWI, as well as his traumatic experience in the Boston diocese. Delaney weaves together several historical events, the Battle of Belleau Wood, the Irish Civil War, the death of Michael Collins and the controversy surrounding Cardinal O'Connell of Boston.
Since Cardinal O'Connell has some ties to my family's history, I decided to research him to find out how much of this part of the novel was true. Not surprisingly the core of this subplot in Shannon is quite accurate. I guess it just goes to show that truth is stranger than fiction. I would strongly recommend you follow Father Shannon's trek along the shores of the River Shannon. Shannon is a timeless and unforgettable story of a troubled man's salvation, belief, duty, devotion - and the healing power of discovering one's true vocation.
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