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Summary: Well Worth The Read: The Fisherman's Son
Review: "Drink deeply by land or sea. Earth comes only once."A key component of the fantasy genre is the quest and a quest makes up most of this enjoyable novel by Marilyn Peake. Designed for the pre-teen reader, this novel revolves around Wiley O'Mara, son a local fisherman. Wiley lives on an unspecified island high in the North Atlantic. A killing fever has swept through the village community he calls home taking many lives. His mother lies gravely ill and without any help from his alcoholic father, he tends to her the best he can. The long illness and vigil have taken a toll on him and despite his best efforts and intentions, he falls asleep during one long winter night. He awakens the next morning to find his father gone, most likely either at sea fishing or on another alcoholic binge and his mother dead. The weight of local custom falls heavily upon his shoulders. A wake must be held and the nearest priest is in the next village. The quickest and most direct route is through the neighboring forest, which is the lair of a dangerous multi eyed beast. Wiley at twelve years old is determined to honor his Mother's memory as required, and sets out to reach the next village. Before long he confronts the beast deep in the forest as well as other creatures that seem imbued with magical properties. He also has a vision of a lovely woman floating in time and space with a message for him and him alone. Not only must he get to the village and bring back the priest for his Mother's wake, there is another task to be done through the use of magic. He has the power with in himself as well as through the aid of other creatures to help people from a time long past once again breath free. This rich, fun read is perfect for the pre-teen reader. There is a minimum of violence, plenty of action and historical lessons, as well as an appreciation of nature, beauty and magic. Wiley learns empathy for others as well as an appreciation of the world around him, past and present. He also learns responsibility as well as the need to follow through no matter how difficult the task to achieve the goal. This novel reminded me strongly of "The Magic Tree House Series." There is that same wonder and joy at exploring the unknown as well as a balance between magic and reality. Along the way, subtle life lessons are taught that fit child and adult alike. This was a wonderful book and well worth the read.
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Summary: Vividly Detailed Dickens/Lewis Type Adventrure
Review: A great book to read to your son or daughter. "The Fisherman's Son" is so packed with flowing details and captivating adventure, it's sure to spark the young imagination.
This enchanting tale follows young, virtually orphaned, Wiley's important journey alone through the dark forest, where he barely outwits the legendary three-eyed, fang-toothed monster, and then -- with the help of a certain magical porpoise -- deep into a vividly detailed under-ocean challenge. This exciting tale is just scary enough to thrill young bedtime listeners without sparking nightmares.
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Summary: A Children's Fantasy Full of Learning
Review: For those who have a love of the sea and Celtic landscape, "The Fisherman's Son" will be a particularly enjoyable read with your children. As for your little ones, they'll have a rich story of fantasy filled with oceanic learning.
When 12-year-old Wiley O'Mara's mother dies, his journey to fetch the nearest priest in a hamlet far from his own sets him on a completely different path than he intended. He can expect no help from his alcoholic father; abusive when at home, which is rare.
Ah, but like any good tale worth its salt, the travails of this adventure lead to the challenges and rewards of an even greater one. Wiley's trial takes him through the vast landscape of his Gaelic homeland into the beauty of the ocean depths. In this fantastical coming-of-age drama, Wiley learns who he really is, the strength of his mettle and that his destiny is to help the people of his land realize their full potential. And isn't that the destiny of each of us? It's an old theme always worth revisiting, particularly in children's fiction.
This is a book that will appeal to "tweens"; but especially to children aged eight through ten since Wiley is a storybook hero they can look up to. These younger of the "tweens" can certainly read "The Fisherman's Son" on their own, but there are a few large words that may have them coming to mom and dad. A good story that also encourages learning new words is always a plus.
Likewise, you may want to talk with your children about Wiley's home, very much like nineteenth century Ireland, though the author never puts a name to the island (all the more appropriate for a child's fantasy). As the story moves into the briny deep of the North Atlantic Ocean, there's even more to pique your child's intellect along with his/her imagination.
But all along Wiley's far journey , your child is in store for deeper learning. Strength of character. Honor and ethics. Belief and confidence in self and the ability to face great adversity, whether in the family or in the world. They're all within these pages.
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Summary: Best Book Ever
Review: I think this is a great book. I couldn't put down the book. It is very adventurous and exciting.
I think that Marilyn Peake should keep writing and that all her books will do very well.
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Summary: A boy's journey
Review: In this children's fantasy adventure set sometime in the past, somewhere near Ireland, 12 year old Wiley sets out to find a priest to take care of his mother's last rites. Along the way, as he walks through the forest at night a white rabbit shows him a patch of strawberries & soon he is asleep. Upon waking he sees a vision of a beautiful woman who leads him to a lake & bids him quench his thirst from a goblet. Wiley's life will never be the same as he follows his visions to bright & amazing places, seeking adventure & solace & finding some degree of happiness.
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Summary: A Place Where Children Are Wiser than Adults
Review: Marilyn Peake skillfully takes her readers along with her on a boy's journey of self discovery, a tale that harkens sweetly back to our childhood stories of forests and bears, dolphins and fairy godmothers. Wiley is a brave boy who faces his sorrows and opportunities with determination and grit. He is the 'every boy' who is left alone to his own devices, a child much wiser than the adults who inhabit his world. His adventure with Elden the dolphin bespeaks of our primeval instincts - a landscape of land and water, bridging time to eventually heal the hurt and disappointment brought about by his absent and troubled father. The Fisherman's Son beautifully breathes life into a child's hope for a better tomorrow.
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Summary: The Fisherman's Son
Review: My name is Brock. I am in Bill Peake's cub scout den. I think Marilyn Peake has written a spectacular story. It starts out when Wiley's mother died and he wants to give her a proper funeral. In the forest, he bumps into some strange things. Like the Beast in the Forest. But then a magical woman gives him a golden cup and tells him to dip it in the ocean around summer time. When he does, a magical dolphin comes and leads him on an extraordinary adventure. In the end, he ends up saving 5 children from Atlantis by bringing them back on to the land. I really loved the book. It had a great plot, it was very creative, and just plain fun to read. One of the coolest books I've ever read.
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Summary: Psychologist Weaves Tale Rooted In Tradition
Review: Reviewed by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, award-winning author of This is the Place and Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered When it's time to introduce a child to beautiful language in a book she can read herself, A Fisherman's Son might well be an excellent choice. Writing her first children's novel, psychologist Marilyn Peake brings the elements of the tales we cut our teeth on up to a level for a child who's a bit older. The protagonist is a boy of twelve who is forced to grow up quickly. He loses his mother, his father is absent and, when he senses his own destiny, he must find the courage to face the trials posed by many of the greatest myths including those of the Greeks. The story has the flavor of time-honored tales partially because it is so well-rooted in tradition. There are talking animals, an imaginative lost city, a dragon-like nemesis and more. Even the narrative style evokes the feeling imparted by fairy tales.
This book might be a good choice for a child who is having difficulty learning to read. The type is double spaced making for easy sight reading and the quick turning of pages. This is also a good format for younger readers to try reading silently on their own. The language in Fisherman is not so roseate that it deters a reader but occasionally delights nonetheless. Consider: "...a yellow ball..rolled by...Had it not been for its brilliant turquoise blue eyes, Wiley
would have assumed the fish was a child's lost toy." One caveat: Many reviewers have classified this book at Young Adult. Perhaps it can't be easy categorized, but I believe that "Young Readers" would work better. Though a fantasy, it is not woven with the intricacy that readers from thirteen to eighteen would demand.
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(Carolyn Howard-Johnson's first novel, This is the Place, has won eight awards. Her newly released Harkening has won three.)
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Summary: A wonderful and creative tale!
Review: The Fisherman's Son is a wonderful tale. The author has an incredible talent for writing detail that makes the reader feel as if he/she is in the story right alongside Wiley! My children enjoyed the story. It is such a refreshing change from the every day "formula" style books. We are looking forward to the next book...Hint hint to the author...sequel please!
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Summary: The Fisherman's Son
Review: The Fisherman's Son is a great book to read for all ages. The author takes you to your own imagination and view of the characters in this book. As I was reading towards the end, I was hoping that this would be a start of a series. Can't wait to read the next book. I recommend this book in high expectations.
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