4 out of 4 stars
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Author Michael Sheahan has brought to life a seldom-discussed period in history through his work The Sean: Book One of the Elizabetha Tale. The story focuses on Clancy and Emma, a young couple living in the Irish city of Elizabetha during the 1840s. After the death of his beloved uncle, Clancy learns he is the sole beneficiary of his uncle’s estate. The inheritance comes with only one condition; Clancy must leave his life in the city and carry on the tradition of his forefathers as a farmer. Although eager to fulfill his uncle’s wish, Clancy encounters many roadblocks, causing him to use deceitful tactics to get his way.
Looming in the background of Clancy and Emma’s story is the “Great Curse,” a myth embodied by the tower clock in Elizabetha. Erected in 1579, to the Gaels, the clock is a token of the unwanted English rule over their nation. Although the myth of the curse has been around for centuries, it has yet to be resolved in Clancy and Emma’s time. The Sean is filled with themes relating to myths, familial secrecy, marriage, and the quest to save and understand family tradition.
This novel is brilliantly crafted, evoking strong feelings of the importance of cultural heritage and family values. Sheahan wonderfully paints a very-real seeming picture of Ireland in the 1800s, giving the reader the feeling of total immersion into the lives of Clancy and Emma. I appreciated the great amount of knowledge the author introduced about the historical events upon which this story is based. The attention to accuracy made the story that much more believable. Sheahan constructs a tale with just enough suspense and urgency to keep the reader on the edge of their seat. Further, the tale sufficiently blurs the lines between reality and legend to make the reader start to believe in the myths at the forefront of the story.
One of my favorite aspects of The Sean was the author’s ability to make the reader side with both Clancy and Emma. On the one hand, I desperately wanted Clancy to reclaim his family’s land and make it prosper; but on the other, I agreed that if I was in Emma’s shoes I would be just as unhappy. I felt a strong connection to both characters and liked and disliked aspects of both their personalities. Clancy and Emma both seemed so real I had to remind myself that they were fictional characters and not based on any actual historical figures. In addition to the well-developed characters, the plot was in no way predictable or boring, in fact it was the complete opposite. I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next.
My only issue with The Sean is the placement of the glossary of Gaelic terms used throughout the story; although it is there, it is placed at the end of the novel. I did not discover the glossary until I finished the book. The glossary would have been better suited at the beginning of the novel in conjunction with the maps provided. Additionally, a guide to name pronunciation would have been appreciated as the elocution of the Gaelic language differs significantly from that of English. I could only guess at the correct pronunciation of some character names.
I easily give this book 4 out of 4 stars. The Sean was an engrossing read, leaving me hotly anticipating the next installment. I loved how well written and researched the book was. I highly recommend this eerie and melancholy tale to fans of character driven historical fiction and to those who would like to learn more about Ireland’s history.
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The Sean
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