Review: Compelling Characters that Live Off of the Page
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 22, 2013
"President Fionn" is a layered character novel sharing with us the life of a young boy named Fionn, who is a gentle daydreamer who loves to read. He lives in Dublin with his mother and sister, abandoned by his father, and he is surrounded by a colorful family. His mother pushes his sister to marry a man she doesn't love for a secure future, and Fionn idolizes his grandfather despite some indications that he's not as perfect as Fionn wants him to be. However, his grandfather does have one excellent trait--he believes in Fionn and insists the young man will grow up to be president of America.When Fionn is shocked by his childhood innocence by a chain of violence, he remains a dreamer, but one who is detached and removed from most life situations. As an adult, he returns to the scene of his childhood, dealing with unsavory and ungrateful family members; he also fixates on President Kennedy--the charisma and message of hope the man brings, something that Fionn desperately need--and follows the leader around Ireland, waiting to be noticed.The strength and great interest of "President Fionn" is in its characters; while the plot is interesting and keeps the pages turning, it is Fionn himself who provides the heart of the book and engages the reader's empathy and sympathy. He is a complex, likeable character who invokes pity at times and hope at others, especially in his adult years. Fionn's mother, sister, and other family members are also multifaceted and almost come alive off the page, while Father Mahey is a cold and chilling villain in the way he preys on others. I would recommend this novel to those who enjoy character studies, coming of age novels, and novels set during the Kennedy era.