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Traveler: As long as you can dream, nothing is cast in stone
Neddy McKenna's life is about to be torn apart and everyone he knows will become a memory..
With little time to prepare amid the Irish War of Independence, Neddy will be swept from his parents' small Northern Ireland farm. Swept on a perilous ocean voyage alone. Swept to Canada and life as a 15-year-old indentured servant in a country of strangers. Taking with him just a battered cardboard suitcase and his dreams. However, in those dreams, he will be visited again and again by a mysterious stranger who calls himself Traveler. Advising, warning and challenging everything the Irish farm boy knows ... or thinks he knew.
But who is Traveler? Just an apparition? A guide? A guardian angel? Or something Neddy couldn't begin to imagine?
With little time to prepare amid the Irish War of Independence, Neddy will be swept from his parents' small Northern Ireland farm. Swept on a perilous ocean voyage alone. Swept to Canada and life as a 15-year-old indentured servant in a country of strangers. Taking with him just a battered cardboard suitcase and his dreams. However, in those dreams, he will be visited again and again by a mysterious stranger who calls himself Traveler. Advising, warning and challenging everything the Irish farm boy knows ... or thinks he knew.
But who is Traveler? Just an apparition? A guide? A guardian angel? Or something Neddy couldn't begin to imagine?
338 pages, Paperback
Published February 28, 2023
33 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 8, 2023
It was the cover that attracted me to this book, and the contents that kept me. Traveler is a lovely coming of age book that also tells about the important historical events of farming out
children as indentured servants. If you're Irish or of Irish descent, it's a must read. If you just enjoy history or you're looking for an inspirational story Traveler will also fill those needs. Traveler is a wonderful book for both adult and young adult readers. Kudos to the author John Heagney!
children as indentured servants. If you're Irish or of Irish descent, it's a must read. If you just enjoy history or you're looking for an inspirational story Traveler will also fill those needs. Traveler is a wonderful book for both adult and young adult readers. Kudos to the author John Heagney!
May 28, 2023
What an excellent read.
What I find moving about this book is that, although it is fiction, it is based on the author's father's experience in being part of the British Home Children program - a deeply flawed, albeit well intentioned program that resulted in heart-break and often misery, abuse and death. This was the program that took children from their families in Britain to give them a supposed "better life" in Canada, working as indentured servants/farm workers. The shipping off of the children was often done through lying or grossly misrepresenting the program to everyone - the families back in Ireland, the children themselves and to the families in Canada.
Set in 1920, the author also builds in mention of the Irish Civil War and Magdalene Laundries. He is quite rightly harsh in his depiction of the Catholic Church and their involvement in the lives of their parishioners.
An excellent read.
What I find moving about this book is that, although it is fiction, it is based on the author's father's experience in being part of the British Home Children program - a deeply flawed, albeit well intentioned program that resulted in heart-break and often misery, abuse and death. This was the program that took children from their families in Britain to give them a supposed "better life" in Canada, working as indentured servants/farm workers. The shipping off of the children was often done through lying or grossly misrepresenting the program to everyone - the families back in Ireland, the children themselves and to the families in Canada.
Set in 1920, the author also builds in mention of the Irish Civil War and Magdalene Laundries. He is quite rightly harsh in his depiction of the Catholic Church and their involvement in the lives of their parishioners.
An excellent read.
November 25, 2025
I’ve said this only a few times, but “Traveler” has to be one of the best books I’ve read in a very long time. Some books hook you from the very beginning and boy was I hooked. “Neddy” our hero, is the star of the show and I must say I went through nearly every emotion, including joy, tears, laughter, warmth, anger and nostalgia reading this amazing book. We’re looking at the 1920s here, and the horrific way that Irish and other immigrants were treated both on land and sea as they travelled to Canada paid for by both the Irish and English governments in search of a new life. To say the ending of “Traveler” is unique would be an understatement with more tears being shed, but that would depend on whether or not you’re a big softy like me. This is a book that can’t be overlooked and I highly recommend it.
July 10, 2023
I have been a voracious reader all my life, and this rank in the top five of my life. I found myself waking up in the middle of the night to read more of Traveler.
Mr. Heagney's skilled writing allowed me to feel I knew his characters personally. They were "friends" of mine very soon into this read. I felt I was experiencing their victories, tragedies and everyday experiences.
I would obviously highly recommend this wonderful book. It was a gripping story and an absolutely mind-blowing ending that I could never have guessed.
Bravo, Mr. Heagney! I'm looking forward to more from you. Thank you.
Mr. Heagney's skilled writing allowed me to feel I knew his characters personally. They were "friends" of mine very soon into this read. I felt I was experiencing their victories, tragedies and everyday experiences.
I would obviously highly recommend this wonderful book. It was a gripping story and an absolutely mind-blowing ending that I could never have guessed.
Bravo, Mr. Heagney! I'm looking forward to more from you. Thank you.
August 27, 2023
A wonderful tale
I started reading this the night before last...after a very tiring day. Knowing that this was written by a man who lives very near my home, made the poignant story even more meaningful to me. My family was also from Ireland, so many of the episodes of political turmoil, Irish Catholic persecution, poverty, faith, and the spirit of family were integral to my life!
This is a wonderfully crafted novel; you do not have to be of Irish descent to appreciate the skill of John Heagney as a great spinner of yarns... but it doesn't hurt!
I started reading this the night before last...after a very tiring day. Knowing that this was written by a man who lives very near my home, made the poignant story even more meaningful to me. My family was also from Ireland, so many of the episodes of political turmoil, Irish Catholic persecution, poverty, faith, and the spirit of family were integral to my life!
This is a wonderfully crafted novel; you do not have to be of Irish descent to appreciate the skill of John Heagney as a great spinner of yarns... but it doesn't hurt!
March 24, 2024
John Heagney is a great storyteller. I was captivated the entire time and really loved Neddy. The book starts off with a bang and the events unfold gracefully. The descriptions are lovely and the details add a depth that makes learning about this slice of history so compelling. But it's really the story that is so engrossing, which is what I look for in any book, movie or song. It’s really wonderful. I looked forward to reading it each time I picked up the book.
June 1, 2023
I really enjoyed reading this novel. The story of Neddy, based on Heagney's own father's early life, was compelling and detailed. Heagney writes well and kept me engaged. I could do without the magical realism, but it doesn't detract from my caring about the well-drawn character of Neddy and everything that happens to him.
May 25, 2023
I'm not one of those people who can read for hours but I have to admit that I couldn't put Traveller down. I finished it in two days, which is unusual for me. A touching, informative story! A must read for anyone, like me, delving into the life and history of the Ireland of their ancestors.
May 30, 2023
Absolutely loved this book. Couldn't put it down. The story is fiction, but it's based on true facts. Author writes so well. Highly recommend reading this book. Looking forward to reading more of his books.
July 25, 2025
Beautifully written with heart and soul.
This was a wonderful.story of one boys journey from Ireland to Canada to the United States and around the world. This is a tribute to a man's wonderful father and the incredible life that he lived.
This was a wonderful.story of one boys journey from Ireland to Canada to the United States and around the world. This is a tribute to a man's wonderful father and the incredible life that he lived.
December 25, 2025
A story so familiar to many Irish readers and yet one which can still evoke deep feelings of sorrow, empathy, hope and loss. The greatest compliment I can pay to the author is that I simply didn't want this book to end.
August 19, 2024
Decent book, interesting story that explains part of Irish history that few people know about.
July 10, 2025
I laughed out loud at times, the Irish expressions were spot on.
June 15, 2023
A wonderful book, and an eye-opener!
Author John Heagney brings the reader a heart-felt story of what it'd likely be like to be an indentured servant, as part of the British Home Program, a program, that between1869 and 1932 or so, sent over 100,000 children from the streets, homes, and orphanages of England and Ireland to places as remote as South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Canada .. all done with the blessing of the Catholic church.
The author weaves together a story of what it was like to be one of these "waifs and strays" sent to northern Canada to do a man's work under this program .. a program filled with children as young as 4 years of age. The characters, with appropriate dialog, are brought alive by Heagney, as we read about the loves and losses, the hardships and victories, that a child of this Program likely experienced.
A wonderful book, one that readers of historical fiction, especially, should enjoy. And, if you happen to have Irish lineage as well, then, I think you'll find this book to be, not only "a good read," but also another eye-opener.
Author John Heagney brings the reader a heart-felt story of what it'd likely be like to be an indentured servant, as part of the British Home Program, a program, that between1869 and 1932 or so, sent over 100,000 children from the streets, homes, and orphanages of England and Ireland to places as remote as South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Canada .. all done with the blessing of the Catholic church.
The author weaves together a story of what it was like to be one of these "waifs and strays" sent to northern Canada to do a man's work under this program .. a program filled with children as young as 4 years of age. The characters, with appropriate dialog, are brought alive by Heagney, as we read about the loves and losses, the hardships and victories, that a child of this Program likely experienced.
A wonderful book, one that readers of historical fiction, especially, should enjoy. And, if you happen to have Irish lineage as well, then, I think you'll find this book to be, not only "a good read," but also another eye-opener.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews