Ann and Seamus

Rating:
Summary: Lovely fictional story of a forgotten historical hero
Review: Kevin Major's short prose poems detailing snippets of the 1800s immigrant life of Ann, who lives in Newfoundland, and Seamus, who is aboard a ship emigrating from Ireland, is beautifully crafted and reminiscent of oral storytelling and songwriting traditions.

The story revolves around the meeting of Ann and Seamus when Seamus' ship runs upon a reef off the coast of Newfoundland. Ann and her family make a heroic effort and save many lives. But the story of Ann goes deeper than her selfless help in the shipwreck and Major has worked in some insightful passages as Ann struggles to make herself, her family, and Seamus happy.

This beautiful book - it would not far-fetched to call this an art book - is an interesting mix of unusual historical fiction detailing a young woman's heroism and coming-of-age highlighted by seven of David Blackwood's monochromatic and atmospheric illustrations. A nice gift book and a wonderful read for any age.