The Ballad of JJ McHale
by Seamus Moran
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Pub Date May 15 2017 | Archive Date Dec 22 2018
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Description
'Boisterous, ebullient, picaresque - Seamus Moran’s JJ McHale is a Barry Lyndon for the early 20th century.’ Kate Beaufoy
Rakish young balladeer and performer JJ McHale flees his heart-hardened, repressive father to follow his dream to become a world-renowned actor like his idol, Charlie Chaplin.
‘…a fantastic read. Really great storytelling and I so want to know what happens next.’ Claudia Carroll
Through a series of comic mishaps and misadventures JJ finds himself busking at the Fairyhouse races on Easter Monday 1916. He falls in love with attractive, elusive young volunteer, Molly McNally.
But Molly is promised to someone else and willing to put her life on the line for the cause of Irish Freedom. Can JJ overcome his fear and pacifism to fight for the woman who has captured his heart? Or will he stick to his task, through the dangerous, tragi-comic streets of a besieged Dublin and follow his dream?
The Ballad of JJ McHale is a funny, satirical, picaresque romance that tumbles and gallops through JJ’s transformation from a rakish, impetuous youth to a sensitive, responsible adult who finally learns the overwhelming power of true love.
Advance Praise
"Boisterous, ebullient, picaresque - Seamus Moran’s JJ McHale is a Barry Lyndon for the early 20th century." Kate Beaufoy (Author) //
"…a fantastic read. Really great storytelling and I so want to know what happens next." Claudia Carroll (Author)
Featured Reviews
marie r, Reviewer
I really enjoyed the concept of this book - JJ is caught with another man's wife; escaping through a wind he decides that rather than face the music he will escape to Dublin and from there England and America. His journey is a roller coaster of good and bad luck which he rides with aplomb. Skirmishes with and escapes from the law, involvement with racehorses and fairground magicians and of course the love interest - or two. Eventually he falls in with the Feenians - much against his will and better judgement in what I assume is the easter rising of April 1916. A really pacy narrative with a great MC and supporting cast I enjoyed the earlier more light hearted shenanigans more than the accounts of fighter and insurgency. Overall a good read.
