the time of the troubles, the Arrival of Fergal Flynn is a truly delightful story of triumph over adversity. Fergal Flynn is the troubled and lonely sixteen year old son of Paddy and Angela Flynn. He is the target of bullies at school. His sports mad father and older twin brothers physically abuse him, and he is the constant target of their verbal taunts; they consider him girly, a Nancy boy. His mother swings between abuse and reliance on his support in times of need. He has a crush on a boy at school, and avoids the showers for fear his uncontrollable body member will reveal his inclinations. He not surprisingly has very low self esteem.Then a new priest arrives, Father Dermot MacManus, gay, a handsome young man of twenty seven years. Fergal first comes to his attention when he hears him harmonizing to an ambulance siren, and when they finally meet Father Mac sees Fergal as the potential soloist in his planned church choir. But a bond soon grows between the two; heighten by Fathers Mac’s concern over Fergal’s horrendous childhood. The beautiful relationship that follows not only builds Fergal’s confidence in himself, helping realise he is in fact a good looking and talented young man, but proves to be the seed that sets Fergal on an undreamed of potential life of success.This a very heart warming story; Fergal very quickly wins one’s affections, and it is hard not to sympathise with the difficulties his relationship with Father Mac create. Fergal is the complete antithesis of his insensitive and brutal father and older twin brothers, and in Father Mac he finds someone who truly cares deeply and unselfishly for him. I found this a captivating and enjoyable tale, and towards the end there was a lump in my throat.t
I had no idea that the author of this book was the singer of the same name. It never entered my head there was a connection, as I don't listen to music so I only knew the name. I have no idea how good, bad or indifferent a singer he is but he is certainly a very proficient writer. Very engaging. This book has a cast of supporting characters - very few of whom are pleasant or even helpful to Fergal. The sad thing is they can be met any day of the week in any family across the country. Maybe that's what was engaging about the book - Fergal's life was no bed of roses but it didn't improve just because he met someone. It just got worse in some ways. Like most people's lives I suppose. You might change but it doesn't mean everyone around you will change. I'd recommend it completely.
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