History Corner / Book Review The Origins of Benjamin Hackett by Gerald M. O'Connor

Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received this product, free of charge,from JKS Communications for review purposes on this blog. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it,  all opinions are my own.



Back in March, I shared a special giveaway of this book,
 and today I have my review of the book for you!

The Origins of Benjamin Hacket   cover

Synopsis:

The Origins of Benjamin Hackett is a unique adventure tale set in County Cork, Ireland. The story introduces readers to a young man on the cusp of adulthood whose parents reveal that he is adopted on his 18th birthday. This revelation sends Benjamin on an unforgettable journey with a friend to find his birth mother and himself before the people determined to keep his origins a secret destroy his records forever.

 O’Connor’s book draws on a time when the Catholic Church in Ireland would quietly take children from mothers in convents and Magdalene Laundries and deposit them into new homes, making it nearly impossible for these kids to find their real parents. Attempts by children to find their birth parents were often blocked by a dark web of secrecy and bureaucracy that, in many ways, still continues to haunt the country today.

 Brimming with unfathomable escapades, a motley crew of characters and a healthy serving of Irish humor, O’Connor’s book is steeped in Irish culture told in the inimitable Corkman’s brogue. Set in a time before the chaos of modern digital culture, The Origins of Benjamin Hackett takes a step back, allowing space for readers to escape and think about the realities of growing up in a family founded on a lie. In his stylish debut, O’Connor shows an amazing ability to paint heartbreak and longing that will keep readers thinking about The Origins of Benjamin Hackett long after they finish the story.

Book Excerpt:

Read Chapter 1 over on the author's website


Review:

Having recently read multiple articles about Irish adoption practices and recent changes in Irish law, this book came across my review board at an opportune time! What I was not expecting, was a tale so humorous, that I found myself smiling throughout and rooting for Benjamin and JJ on their quest. Ultimately the reader has an idea where the end may come,and not to give anything away, but knowing the real life history of Irish adoption for that time period, made it not quite such a surprise.But the characters will stay with you long after you finish reading it, and it might just beg a question or two, for those of Irish descent. It's a worthwhile book, that we highly recommend!

And if you do want to know more about that time period- click on over and there are a collection of different articles here to read.

About the Author:

Gerald M. O’Connor is a native Corkonian, currently living in Dublin wit h his long-term partner, Rosemarie, along with their three children. He writes character-driven novels of various genres by night and is a dentist by day. When he isn’t glued to the keyboard, he enjoys sci-fi films, spending time with his family and being anywhere in sight of the sea. He is currently working on his second novel, The Tanist. Check out his website for more info - http://geraldmoconnor.com/

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