"A fantasy tale for both kids and adults"

Marilyn Peake has burst onto the scene as a promising writer with the release of her first middle grade novel, The Fisherman's Son. The author's imagination is let loose on the pages giving readers, both young and old, an almost certain treat.

Plagues are nothing new, but when they hit can be devastating. A deadly fever is taking its toll. Wiley O'Mara may be only twelve, but when his mother catches the disease, it is up to him to take care of her in her last days. His father, Vail, is of no help. His alcohol gets all of his attention, while Wiley receives the un-blunted end of verbal abuse.

When Wiley's mother eventually dies, he wants her to receive a proper burial, following the local tradition and customs, but the local priest has also died from the fever. Wiley decides that he must trek across the land in order to bring back a bordering priest to give last rites to his mother before burying her.

What should have been a simple trip becomes an endless journey for Wiley, as he encounters bizarre creatures and wonderful animals and spirits. His journey is filled with beautiful worlds both under the water and on the land. Along the way he meets amazing characters, both good and dangerous.

Though more than two thirds of the book is narrative and description (while I like to see much more, or equal parts dialogue/narrative), Peake is a talented, creative and passionate storyteller. The Fisherman's Son is a thought provoking, heart-felt fantasy novel with a twist. It lends itself to great discussions questions to be reviewed with parents, teachers, or friends. Easy to pick up and read, hard to put down. Congratulations, Marilyn Peake, on your well-written book.

Reviewed by Phillip Tomasso
Posted August 9, 2003

Summary

The Fisherman's Son is a children's novel filled with fantasy, adventure and the heroic qualities of a brave, young boy. At the same time, it includes accurate and beautiful descriptions of life under the ocean, villages similar to those of real nineteenth century island villages, and cities similar to those of ancient Greece and Rome. Part of the book is based on research accounts of what may have happened to Atlantis if it once existed. The main character is a twelve-year-old boy named Wiley O'Mara. He lives on an island far up north where it is very cold, around the beginning of the nineteenth century. The island scenery and culture in some ways resemble that of Ireland around the same time. After meeting a dolphin who allows him to swim underwater, Wiley takes part in an extraordinary adventure through which he and the dolphin accomplish an incredible rescue mission. Along the way, Wiley and his friend encounter both real and imaginary creatures - the real fish, dolphins, coral reefs and changing depths of the North Atlantic Ocean, as well as imaginary creatures in the island forest and ocean depths surrounding Wiley's home.