Customer Reviews

The Fisherman's Son

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4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
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The Fisherman's Son is a story set in the pattern of a fairytale quest. A poor boy, grieving the death of his mother, sets out through the deep woods to bring back a priest for her funeral. As is customary in fairy tales, he encounters mysterious help and adventures in the forest, and these lead him to even more adventures.

I found the author's tin ear for language and dialog to be rather irritating. The names of the human characters are Irish. The setting is a poor village so remote that it can't even be accessed by cart; visitors have to come by foot or by boat. Yet the dialog is idiomatic American English. (The boy keeps saying OK, for example.) The writing comes nowhere near being geared for multiple age levels, the way the Harry Potter, Narnia, or Crestomanci stories are. However, while the author wields her pen like a club instead of tapestry needle, the plot itself is interesting. I'm sure most eight year olds won't notice the writing style and will find the story perfectly satisfactory.

A great book to read to your son or daughter. "The Fisherman's Son" is so packed with flowing details and captivating adventure, it's sure to spark the young imagination.
This enchanting tale follows young, virtually orphaned, Wiley's important journey alone through the dark forest, where he barely outwits the legendary three-eyed, fang-toothed monster, and then -- with the help of a certain magical porpoise -- deep into a vividly detailed under-ocean challenge. This exciting tale is just scary enough to thrill young bedtime listeners without sparking nightmares.

I think the plot and story line to this book are interesting good. One major drawback for me was the amount of descriptive language used. It kind of weakened the story because the story got lost a bit in the description. Saying that, the story is interesting! I like the premise of the book and will read more in the future from this author, provided that there is more story and less description. I kind of wish that some of the imagery was not given in the body of the text so I could see it in my head more.

The Fisherman's Son follows Wiley, a young boy from a poor family. The book begins with him caring for his mother as she wastes away with a fever that has devastated his whole village. His father, a drunk, doesn't really seem to care and when his mother finally passes Wiley is pretty much alone. Figuring his father will not be home for a few days and wanting his mother to be cared for properly he readies himself to travel to the next village to get a priest. While walking through the forrest he encounters a woman who tells him about his special destiny. This leads him to meet a special dolphin who takes him on an underwater adventure. What follows teaches Wiley about himself and give him a history lesson about the land that he lives in.

The story is just the beginning of Wiley's adventures as right now there are two more books available in the series. The ending was very well done as this book was wrapped up nicely, but there is still plenty of room for the sequels. I look forward to reading more work by Marilyn Peake.

The imagination of this writer is fantastic. I am truly impressed that a writer would go to such depths of research to make the book authentic. I would also recommend "Twilight" and "Moonspins and Widdershins" Frances Kenney

Marilyn Peake skillfully takes her readers along with her on a boy's journey of self discovery, a tale that harkens sweetly back to our childhood stories of forests and bears, dolphins and fairy godmothers. Wiley is a brave boy who faces his sorrows and opportunities with determination and grit. He is the 'every boy' who is left alone to his own devices, a child much wiser than the adults who inhabit his world. His adventure with Elden the dolphin bespeaks of our primeval instincts - a landscape of land and water, bridging time to eventually heal the hurt and disappointment brought about by his absent and troubled father. The Fisherman's Son beautifully breathes life into a child's hope for a better tomorrow.

What if you were given the task to travel to a place deep within the waters, to a place that stories once told of a kingdom and its people that lived in such riches you couldn't imagine? But this task did incur some danger; would you be so brave and take on this responsibility? Marilyn Peake's THE FISHERMAN'S SON has such a character who not only binds you to him but his travels will become your own.

Marilyn Peake is a fantastic storyteller. Her enthralling tale, THE FISHERMAN'S SON, of a young lad and his quest to save six boys trapped within the deep realms of the waters surrounding his village, rivets you by tagging you alongside this journey. The added characters of Elden, the dolphin who is Wiley's water guide, and the magical Lucinda who guide Elden on land just deepen the plot.

Her visual descriptive details are sharp and vivid, breathtakingly drawing you into the storyline. One cannot help but feel Wiley's sadness over the loss of a loved one in the very beginning.

The repetition of the phrase `Drink deeply by land or sea. Earth comes only once' only heightens your curiosity to find out what this actually means.

Her short chapters and simplistic words weave an enchanting tale keeping the flow of the story moving along at a nice dramatic pace for all ages to read.

The mapping of this mystical book is cleverly laid out for the reader to experience. The historical journey through a city that once lived in pure euphoria is enchanting. A feel of `Atlantis is alive' titillates the reader.

This classical `sit by the fireplace' reading can be handed down and read for many generations to come. Peake crafts a drawing tale of a young lad who is trying to come to terms over a devastating loss, a drunken father, and a quest that has him bewildered.

Although geared for the younger adult reader, this is a gem of a story to suit all ages.

For those who have a love of the sea and Celtic landscape, "The Fisherman's Son" will be a particularly enjoyable read with your children. As for your little ones, they'll have a rich story of fantasy filled with oceanic learning.

When 12-year-old Wiley O'Mara's mother dies, his journey to fetch the nearest priest in a hamlet far from his own sets him on a completely different path than he intended. He can expect no help from his alcoholic father; abusive when at home, which is rare.

Ah, but like any good tale worth its salt, the travails of this adventure lead to the challenges and rewards of an even greater one. Wiley's trial takes him through the vast landscape of his Gaelic homeland into the beauty of the ocean depths. In this fantastical coming-of-age drama, Wiley learns who he really is, the strength of his mettle and that his destiny is to help the people of his land realize their full potential. And isn't that the destiny of each of us? It's an old theme always worth revisiting, particularly in children's fiction.

This is a book that will appeal to "tweens"; but especially to children aged eight through ten since Wiley is a storybook hero they can look up to. These younger of the "tweens" can certainly read "The Fisherman's Son" on their own, but there are a few large words that may have them coming to mom and dad. A good story that also encourages learning new words is always a plus.

Likewise, you may want to talk with your children about Wiley's home, very much like nineteenth century Ireland, though the author never puts a name to the island (all the more appropriate for a child's fantasy). As the story moves into the briny deep of the North Atlantic Ocean, there's even more to pique your child's intellect along with his/her imagination.

But all along Wiley's far journey , your child is in store for deeper learning. Strength of character. Honor and ethics. Belief and confidence in self and the ability to face great adversity, whether in the family or in the world. They're all within these pages.

"Drink deeply by land or sea. Earth comes only once."

A key component of the fantasy genre is the quest and a quest makes up most of this enjoyable novel by Marilyn Peake. Designed for the pre-teen reader, this novel revolves around Wiley O'Mara, son a local fisherman.

Wiley lives on an unspecified island high in the North Atlantic. A killing fever has swept through the village community he calls home taking many lives. His mother lies gravely ill and without any help from his alcoholic father, he tends to her the best he can. The long illness and vigil have taken a toll on him and despite his best efforts and intentions, he falls asleep during one long winter night. He awakens the next morning to find his father gone, most likely either at sea fishing or on another alcoholic binge and his mother dead.

The weight of local custom falls heavily upon his shoulders. A wake must be held and the nearest priest is in the next village. The quickest and most direct route is through the neighboring forest, which is the lair of a dangerous multi eyed beast. Wiley at twelve years old is determined to honor his Mother's memory as required, and sets out to reach the next village. Before long he confronts the beast deep in the forest as well as other creatures that seem imbued with magical properties. He also has a vision of a lovely woman floating in time and space with a message for him and him alone.

Not only must he get to the village and bring back the priest for his Mother's wake, there is another task to be done through the use of magic. He has the power with in himself as well as through the aid of other creatures to help people from a time long past once again breath free.

This rich, fun read is perfect for the pre-teen reader. There is a minimum of violence, plenty of action and historical lessons, as well as an appreciation of nature, beauty and magic. Wiley learns empathy for others as well as an appreciation of the world around him, past and present. He also learns responsibility as well as the need to follow through no matter how difficult the task to achieve the goal.

This novel reminded me strongly of "The Magic Tree House Series." There is that same wonder and joy at exploring the unknown as well as a balance between magic and reality. Along the way, subtle life lessons are taught that fit child and adult alike. This was a wonderful book and well worth the read.

Written for young adults, The Fisherman's Son is an original novel by Marilyn Peake about Wiley O'Mara, a twelve-year-old boy, living on an island up north during the beginning of the nineteenth century. Wiley befriends a dolphin and undertakes an incredible rescue mission, as well as a memorable journey through the wonders of the North Atlantic Ocean. The Fisherman's Son is a delightful and colorfully narrated tale which documents Marilyn Peake as a story teller of considerable narrative skill.