Review: Beautifully written portrait of a young man
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 17, 2013
"President Fionn" by Christine Mary Flemming follows the life of an idealistic young Irish man named Fionn. His passion and imagination combine with his troubled reality and spiritual connection to the young American president to create a remarkable journey of growth of change.I was pretty amazed at the ability of the author to build such a deep character in Fionn. She manages to create a whole history, psychology, and life for this man to the extent that you do not doubt that he is or was a real person.  I am curious as to where she got the inspiration for the character. The juxtaposition of fantasy and reality, of where Fionn wants to be and where his life is at, sets up an interesting dynamic as the protagonist follows JFK across Ireland. The book presents an unyielding sense of optimism set against a darker more objective reality.The characters, texture, and pacing of the novel work together to create a rich medley of a story which is both easy to read, and enjoyable. Flemming is a natural writer, and her prose is lyrical and clear. I really enjoyed reading this story which no doubt comes from a very talented author. Well done.