James Heneghan

Book talk:
Have you ever had a feeling of relief when you hear about something bad that has happened to someone, that feeling of relief that this bad thing didn't happen to you or to someone you love? Then you feel kind of guilty because something bad has happened to someone else, but you rationalize that none of the bad things that happened were your fault so you shouldn't feel guilty?
Charley has felt all this in a big way. When he moved from Ireland to Canada, it was hard enough being the show more new kid with the Irish accent. And not long after the move, his mom got sick again; only this time she didn't get better. And then at school there were these thugs in his eighth grade class that loved to point out he wasn't quite fitting in. So, yeah, it was a relief when these bullies turned their tormenting on Bennie. And they were brutal, calling Bennie a fag, doing horrible things just under the teachers' radar. But, you know, it made Charley kind of mad at Bennie for not sticking up for himself. And when Bennie tried to be friends with Charley, well, you know how it is. Would you want to risk having those jerks turn on you for being friends with their favorite target? But then the unthinkable happened. Benny committed suicide. And Charley feels unbearable guilt. He could have done something. He could have been friends with Bennie. He could have stood up for Bennie. No, he SHOULD have stood up for Bennie. How will Charley ever be able to live with himself while he lives without his mother? show less

This is one of those rare books that is ridiculously funny without trying too hard. Right from the publisher's warning at the beginning, advising children not to let their parents get their hands on the book because the subject of death upsets them, to the chapter "Concerning Elephants" which consists of one line only, the laughs just keep coming. It's a bit risque for a kids' book, as it concerns a character named Uncle Possum whose negligence leads to the death of a number of the animal show more characters in The Great Forest, but it's told with such tongue-in-cheek humour that it's impossible to take seriously. And it is accompanied why wonderfully whimsical illustrations. A great story and a beautiful book. show less

Fieldnotes:
Liverpool, September 1940
SS City of Benares, 17 September 1940

2 New Kids Next Door
1 School Fight
Domestic Violence

Air Raids
Incendiary Bombs
Sheltering Under the Stairs

1 Luxury Liner Transporting Evacuees
Incredible Food

1 Departing Navy Escort
1 Zealous U-Boot
2 Torpedoed Ships
Flooded Life Boats
Rough Seas
Hypothermia

The Short Version:
I admit, I had never heard of the tragedy / war crime that was the sinking of the SS City of Benares - a luxury liner that was transporting 90 evacuee show more children to the safer shores of Canada. I'd put this at an older child (not quite YA) level in terms of detail and writing style - sort of the same level or a little older as a Dear America / Royal Diary type book.

Most of the book takes place in 1940s Liverpool - before the worst of the Blitz, when 12-year-old boys still desperately want to see the planes, collect bits of shrapnel and the whole thing seems more an adventure / a nuisance than a danger. But when Jamie Heneghan's neighborhood is hard hit, his mother insists that he be evacuated as soon as possible, and his father who works down at the docks hears of some places becoming available for evacuees.

There is a fair amount of information about daily life in the '40s that I found very interesting, though I have to admit that the Scouse slang - particularly repeating "phizog" for face over and over again - wore on me a bit. I enjoyed the descriptions of the ship and the unexpected luxury for these kids. I was appalled (though not surprised) at 12 year olds' hygiene habits.

And then the tragedy foreshadowed by setting sail on a Friday 13 hit and the pages flew past as Jamie and the neighbor children scrambled through the chaos to attempt to board their lifeboats in a storm and make it through the long night before rescue finally arrived.

The historical note at the end (and other sources) indicates that of the 90 evacuees, only 13 survived. show less

This is a well-crafted murder mystery novella that's easy to read which I guess is the point of the "Rapid Reads" series to which it belongs. The plot is complex enough to keep you interested, but is not overly complicated with too many characters to keep track of. The protagonist is an interesting guy - a not too ambitious reporter for a small weekly newspaper - who lives simply. For example, he goes everywhere by bus because he doesn't own a car and until recently he got his wardrobe at show more thrift stores. Included in the story is a wry episode involving a security guard -- it's almost comic relief.

There's a sub-plot about his romantic relationship with a woman who just happens to be off in Ireland tending to her dying mother. Nothing turns on this sidebar except to add a dimension to the protagonist's character. (I think there's an earlier book -- and maybe a future one -- where the relationship is more significant).

I read this book in an hour or so which would make it a good choice for a short trip or similar situation.

I received my copy as a LibraryThing Early Reviewer.

There is a couple of "copy edit" errors for those detail-oriented readers to catch. show less