Beyond Beauport
James Masciarelli
Koehler Books
2018
Ms. Hen came to read this novel because she met the author
in her travels through the world. He told her that his character’s name is also
Shannon, and she told him that she wrote a blog about books, and he gave his
book to her as a gift if she promised to write about it. And so she is.
This is not what Ms. Hen typically reads. She it not quite
into adventure novels, but she is willing to take a risk and read something
different when the opportunity presents itself. Even though this is described
as an adventure novel, it is more of a literary adventure, the characters are
complex and well-drawn, and the story revolves around love and family.
Shannon Clarke is a forty-six year old native of Gloucester,
Massachusetts and has always loved the ocean. She got pregnant young, and
eventually married the father of her child. She worked at various jobs around
the town, and has close friends in the area. She is in the process of a
divorce, and is experiencing depression, and her children have moved away. Her Uncle Paddy comes to visit and tells her a story of her ancestors and their connection
to pirates.
Shannon and Paddy go on an adventure to look for treasure in
Florida and the Caribbean. They get into scrapes, and Shannon’s big mouth gets
her in trouble sometimes, but she is a tough woman who can take care of
herself. Since she and Paddy can trace their heritage back to pirates, they are
fearless and strong.
Shannon has always dreamed of being a sea captain, but her
obligations to her family, and also money has always gotten in the way. Paddy
teaches her how to be a captain through the different levels of proficiency,
and she gradually works her way up. He teaches her how to handle herself
quickly in last minute situations where she needs to make snap decisions. It’s
life or death on a boat if someone is not fast enough to know what to do.
Ms. Hen has always loved pirates, as many people do. Before
she read this novel, she had the idea that it was historical fiction because
who in their right mind becomes a pirate today? There is some history thrown
into the story when Shannon dreams of her ancestors who were pirates and they guide
her to where they buried the loot. Ms. Hen thinks it’s charming that Shannon
and Paddy hunt for pirate treasure, and it’s not like it is in the movies where
they live happily ever after. This novel displays a more realistic approach to
hunting treasure.
Ms. Hen has not any other novels in which the protagonist is
named Shannon, and she appreciates her name being used effectively. However,
Ms. Hen has nothing in common with the Shannon of the novel, she has no desire
to be a pirate, and is not a tough Shannon, but rather a delicate Shannon who does
not start fights, and likes taking pictures of flowers and puddles. Even though
she has nothing in common with Shannon Clarke, Ms. Hen enjoyed this novel as an
escape to the sea air of Gloucester and the Caribbean, where adventure abounds
and a spirited world exists.