Chasing Shadows

by Chris Sheerin

Set in the nationalist Creggan housing estate in Derry during the Troubles, Chasing Shadows centres on the life of the youth Seamus Doherty, a ‘simple bastard’ whose father was, he suspects, an informer for the British army. But Seamus shows promise at school and gives indication that he might make more of himself than his difficult background suggests. As the Troubles unfold and Seamus moves from adolescence to manhood, however, he becomes increasingly involved in the violence of the time, in the shape of riots against British troops, while also starting a relationship with a young Protestant woman. When shadowy figures from his father’s past appear on the scene, Seamus gets drawn more deeply into the power struggles being fought out in the North.
Chasing Shadows is a gritty and sometimes disturbing novel of the Troubles. It superbly describes the spiralling violence in Northern Ireland in the early 1970s while humanising the conflict in the form of the central character and the tragic choices he faces.
Chris Sheerin was born in England but has lived in Ireland since 1969. He was educated at St Columb’s College and Magee University in Derry and is currently working as a security consultant in Derry. This is his first novel.

350 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story that captures both the mess of personal motivations that can drive people to anti-colonial struggle, even when the over-arching aims of the collective are pure, and the complex turmoil of the voiceless innocents caught in the middle.

Liked how it didn't try to 'both sides' the conflict. Maintains that the Brits and RUC are the oppressive force while still capturing the tragedy of Seamus' fate as he is caught between them and the pragmatic utilitarianism that sects of the IRA were pressured in to adopting.

Also Britain is a cunt-infested cultureless void of putrid hate.

Good book.

[Cynthia Ogren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read many books in my life, mostly excellent books by accomplished authors, but it's been quite a while since I've enjoyed one as much as Chris Sheerin's CHASING SHADOWS. Set in Northern Ireland in the early 1970s during the Troubles, the book follows young Seamus Doherty, a boy caught up in the madness and shifting sands of various waring factions and allegiances. I won't spoil the story for you, but I'll add that it's much bigger in scope than the plight of one confused boy in a war zone. Published in 2001, CHASING SHADOWS is as important today as it was back then. It stands the test of time, touching on topics like the irony of blinding political and religious dogma, the vagaries of relationships, and redemption. Sheerin does a masterful job of weaving these themes into a captivating story with a shocking denouement. If I could give CHASING SHADOWS more than five stars, I would. I loved it! It's an important book, and I highly recommend it.