Finnegan's Quest

by Gloria Piper

Finnegan, a young fox, searches Squiggly Wood for the perfect guru, only to collide with resistance. Guides and misguides attack his teaming up with Crookshank, crow elder reputed to have an evil foot. Pushing against this resistance, the two investigate its cause and discover a greater problem. Someone wants to control all critters in Squiggly Wood. This story parodies social, political, and commercial manipulation while taking the reader on the archetypal search for one's purpose in life.

Genres: Fantasy, Animals

284 pages, Paperback

First published October 13, 2010

About the author

When working in biology, I missed art. When working in art, I missed biology. It took a bout of multiple chemical sensitivities to limit me to writing. At last here was a niche in which I felt old-clothes comfortable. At last I could indulge all my interests, from art and science to nature and spirituality, from reality to fantasy. My most recent awards range from honorable mention to editor's choice for my science fiction and fantasy writing, which include Where the Sky Ends, Long Pig, and Train to Nowhere.

I grew up in the country and attended a country school. After high school, I car-pooled with my mother, older brother, and a kid from a neighboring farm to college. We were all students, and in those days, tuition cost less than $30 a semester.

More interested in freedom and adventure than an early marriage, I piled on the experiences, from teaching, doing farm work, directing a Christian ministry, working in Army research and development, care taking, and teaching martial arts.

Over the years, I discovered that aging is an interesting process. Your whole body heads south, and time either speeds up or you slow down. Features that were once unfinished are now full of character. More than youth, I value the wisdom gained, and the ability to say, "I know because I was there."

Presently I live in Northern California. Recently widowed, I treasure the memories of my husband of late years who thought I was the most beautiful lady he'd ever met and told me a hundred times a day in a hundred ways how much he loved me. Added to that love is a three-legged English Labrador.

Like my fb at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gloria...

Reviews

[Gabrielle Poplar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who Knew Allegories could be so Funny?

Finnegan's Quest is an allegory about a fox in search of a mentor that fits a certain image. He made friends with a crow, who helps him and gives him wise advice from time to time. The fox's path to understanding that his mentor didn't need to fit a predefined mold is the subject of this novel, but along the way, we encounter subtle comparisons that somehow remind us of events in everyday life, and they are told in such a way that they bring a smile to the face. I particularly recommend Chapter 16 (the chicken coop) to any author, especially those that have been (or are still) members of a writer's group. The parallels will have you laughing, and hopefully it will promote better handling of members of such groups.

Finnegan's Quest has a well-knit plot, with the distinct voices and habits of the main characters fully explored. It is funny, interesting, and like a proper allegory, it has lots of morals. Lovers of a good ending would enjoy it, since it ends on a positive note (even the weasel gets to wheedle another day).

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was fun to read. As Finnigan searched for a guru, he and I both learned a lot along the way. There was a lot of really beautiful, poetic descriptions of the natural world that I particularly enjoyed. This is a book that's meant to be read aloud and savored for the sheer beauty of the writing and the story itself. I plan to read it again in the future because I think there is a lot to learn here, more than I could get in just one reading. My only complaint is that the book was longer than it needed to be.

[Laura Libricz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finnegan's Quest is a poetic, well-written story about a fox on a journey into the world to look for a guru. He stumbles on all sorts of 'critters' who mirror society and the relationships between the different ranks. I don't like to compare books, but this was a sort of 'Animal Farm' meets 'Jonathan Livingston Seagull.'

The phrasing is lyrical, the comparisons are original and refreshing. It's meant to be read and re-read. I can imagine a high school teacher using this book in an upper-level English class. It would be great as an audio book. My favorite scene was in the chicken coop.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Finnegan's Quest by Gloria Piper, a young fox (Finnegan) leaves behind his mama and her sage advice to venture in the wide world and find his guru. He arrives in Squiggly Wood, terrorised by a big black bear, Duh Fuzz. Despite this, Finnegan finds a home and makes friends with a companionable crow, Crookshank. Yet many things are out of kilter in Squiggly Wood and his search for a guru seems fruitless.

This allegorical tale uses the woodland creatures and animals from farm and city to examine social relationships, the search for truth and autonomy, and the pressures and pitfalls of 21st century Western society. The story is whimsical and amusing, a cast of unique characters and mostly a gentle-pace leading to a dramatic and satisfying ending. Finnegan is a likeable hero and Crookshank a wise mentor.

At times I found Finnegan's Quest meandered and felt a bit preachy or obvious. I don't think the story was as strong as the other book I've read by Piper, Grounded: A Dragon’s Tale which had more complex characters and plot line. Nevertheless, Finnegan's Quest was an enjoyable read and I'm interested in reading other books by this author.

[Patricia Hamill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full length novel, but reads like a fable. Beautiful language use. Well edited.

I love the easy and humorous way this story is told, while still communicating a deeper message.
Finnegan's Quest is like Animal Farm, but more entertaining. There's a mystery to solve and Finnegan and Crookshank are well on their way to solving it.

Young Finnegan, leaving home for the first time, believes his mother's lessons are just fine for a kit, but he's fully grown now and such things like "don't talk to strangers" and "pay attention" just won't cut it. Nope, he's in the market for a great teacher, a guru who can unlock the mysteries of life and the universe. Someone glorious and strong and impressive. Someone like Duh Fuz, the most fearsome beast of Squiggly Wood. But Spirit has someone else in mind for Finnegan's guru...

Crookshank is an old crow with a gimpy leg, compliments of a run in with Duh Fuz in her younger days, but you won't find her complaining. Though it's crooked, occassionally achy and not much good for walking, her leg is in tune with the vibrations of the universe. A useful gift that gives her insight into the world and her fellow critters. And sometimes, if she listens just right, she can tune right into the guiding voice of Spirit.

Finnegan and Crookshank as student and teacher are a great duo. Finnegan is naive and optimistic, but is beset on every side by those who would lead him to harm, to self-deprecation, to chain letters, and to get rich quick scams. He becomes the focal point of Squiggly Woods as critters from all walks of life work to convince him that their way is best, that their leader is all-knowing and that only by following can happiness be gained. But luckily for Finnegan, Crookshank is there for him. Her quick wit and timely interventions don't make Finnegan think like her, but they do help him learn to think for himself and recognize when things aren't what they seem to be.

The rest of the characters in this tale are equal parts cautionary and entertaining. The city rat who walks with a twitch because it's in. The whirly gigs who twirl until they are dizzy and moan "woe is me" at the results. Buford the bullfrog preacher. Duh Fuz, the terror of the wood. And Dame Squeeze, a ferret who has it all figured out. And I love how even the smallest of characters brings a valuable lesson.

I knew I loved this book only a few paragraphs in and though some of the lessons in it are tough or touch on serious issues like religious fanaticism, drug abuse, and predatory marketing, all were delivered in a whimsical and enriching way. The messages and warnings are there, but the storytelling is brilliant and lyrical.

As for the quality of the writing, it's excellent. The pacing, the flow, the plot: everything works. The story is obviously well-edited and well-planned. I found only one error in the whole thing, and I was looking for them. I've read best sellers with more than that.

Overall, I loved this book. It's one of those books that I know I'll return to many times, worth reading again and again because there will always be some new thing to discover with each retelling. I highly recommend this story to those who enjoy allegory, animal characters, humor, and enrichment.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest, non-reciprocal review.

[Donna Cummins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finnegan’s Quest is a tale that sweeps the reader into a magical land where the thread of fantasy is intricately and skillfully woven with that of reality to create a fabric revealing many truths about the society in which we live.

In the story, Finnegan, a young fox, leaves the safety and security of his mother’s home to set out into the world in search of a guru who he expects will teach him the answers to the mysteries of the universe. He imagines that his guru will be big, strong, and mysterious. Full of enthusiasm and expectation, he finds himself in the land of Squiggly Wood. Throughout his travels there, he meets many creatures of the forest, each expressing his or her own viewpoints, opinions, and advice for Finnegan.

Along the way, Finnegan finds true friendship in a crow called Crookshank who is physically disfigured and impaired by one maimed foot. Many of the forest creatures alienate themselves from Crookshank, believing her foot to be evil and used to cast spells upon others. Finnegan discerns for himself that their feelings are unwarranted and untrue, and soon Finnegan and Crookshank become fast friends.

As Finnegan continues to search for his guru, he and Crookshank spend their days together exchanging thoughts and feelings and experiences, and their relationship grows. Crookshank encourages Finnegan to search for his own answers in life by using his own free will.

In the end, Finnegan finally realizes that Crookshank has been his guru all along; and even more importantly, he learns that he never really needed a guru at all—that all he needed to do was look inside himself for true guidance.

I had a bit of difficulty getting into the pace of the story and style of dialogue. More importantly, though, the author’s colorful and authentic descriptive writing and choice of interesting words and phrases paint a vivid picture of both the characters and the forest setting in this almost ‘fable-like’ tale. The analogy is apparent between Finnegan, the young fox, and any young person setting out into our own society seeking independence, self-identity, and the answers to life’s questions. The engrossing narrative teaches us, along with Finnegan, a number of lessons about the society in which we live: People are often unwilling to help or get involved in another person’s problems; not everyone’s word can be trusted; people are often afraid of what they don’t understand; one can’t believe everything he or she hears; don’t allow the negativity of others to discourage you; don’t worry too much about what other people think; take pride in yourself and your accomplishments; be content with yourself; know that prejudice, defamation, stereotyping, and divisiveness are a scourge on society; and, finally, above all else, use and protect your own free will.

A delightful and insightful read!

[Henry Ngaeje · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finnegan quest is a story about a young fox ‘coming of age’. He leaves his home and his mum, embarking on a journey to find a Guru. He wanted so badly to find someone who would show him the ways of the world, teaching him the ‘righteousness’ of life. He quickly found out that Squiggly wood, where he stumbled upon, wasn’t the friendliest of places. For starters, there was Duh-Fuz, the overbearing bear, who controls everything and everyone in his patch. A quick brush with him, and Finnegan learnt the hard way to respect rules and Duh-Fuz mightiness. Finnegan admired Duh-Fuz’s strong character. He wanted him to be his Guru. He believed only the strong and the mighty have what it takes to be Gurus. Other critters were happy to take on the role; in fact, they imposed themselves on him to be his Guru. None of them fit the profile that he had in his mind, especially, Crookshank, the crow with a magic limp foot, who he befriended. His mother warned him to stay away from crows; she told him they are not critters to be trusted.
There is no denying that the story is written well. The use of the language, writing style is of high professional standard. As a reader I enjoy well formatted, well written stories.
Perhaps things that let the story down a little bit, was its slow pace. The story is way too diluted in extensive dialogues. It felt as though social aspects, politics, and dynamics of that society were given a lot more emphasis to the detriment of the progression of the story. As a reader there were a lot of moments when I wanted the story to ‘crank’ up a gear and get on with it, even when that moment came, it didn’t have a ‘wow’ factor. The whole story lacked the ‘depth’. Perhaps it is my personal preference.

[Piper Templeton · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Finnegan’s Quest” by Gloria Piper takes the reader on a young fox’ journey into adulthood and his quest to find his “perfect” guru. He is guided by Crookshank, a lovable crow with a wounded foot
that the residents of Squiggly Wood interpret as a sign of evil power.

Often clever, the book is a satirical metaphor about growing up and dealing with prejudice, political control, and plain old survival.

As Finnegan searches to find his guru he perceives as big, strong, and overpowering, he runs into other characters of the Wood like Squeeze, the weasel; Buford, the frog; a beaver opening a restaurant, and Squiggly Wood’s amusing gossip vine of various birds. The books is filled with vivid, poetic descriptions of the woods and its inhabitants. I warmed immensely to Crookshank and her
relationship with Finnegan.

As Finnegan meanders through the woods, however, I find the book tends to meander and lose focus on the plot. The writing and description remain entertaining, but the pacing slows.

All in all, though, the book is entertaining, imaginative, and original. I received a free copy from the author for review purposes.

[Dustin Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

At its most basic level, Finnegan’s Quest is a tale of an earnest young fox out to find his way in the world. Armed only with a list of well-intentioned guidelines from his mother, Finnegan makes his way to Squiggly Woods, a delightful forest home to a wide array of critters, both big and small. Soon upon arrive he meets a wise and sage Crow that helps him maneuver forest life, eventually finding the mentor he’s so desperately been seeking and discovering a great deal about himself along the way.

It doesn’t take long for the reader though to discover that there is much more meaning layered into the story. The author has done a masterful job of creating a societal hierarchy that most everyone can identify with, whether they be in school, work, or even politics. Along the way, she injects problems and issues that all have encountered at some point, making this book relatable to readers of all ages and backgrounds.

The author covers a lot of ground in a limited number of pages, offering thoughts and ideas that everyone can embrace. Highly recommended reading.

[Hock Tjoa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a clever and charming tale about a youth and his search for a spiritual guide. The youth happens to be a young fox and the guide, who does protest too much, turns out to be a crow with a bad leg. A parable is suggested, but not fleshed out. What might have been another manifestation of the Dun Cow turns out to be a lesson in junior high school politics.

There are rival aspirants to the role of mentor as there are teachers who claim to have access to the “spirit.” But the author is either coy, vague, or follows some unspoken dictate of political correctness. Those who promulgate chain letters, like those who proclaim “you have won something incredible—just sign here,” are gently teased.

In the end “good” prevails but it did not have to fight too hard and it is uncertain what it achieved. Duh Fuz is dead and the good guys had nothing to do with it. There must be a lesson some place in here but it is too subtle for me.

[Wildchildeditor · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Finnegan’s Quest by Gloria Piper, we follow Finnegan, a young fox who has just left his mother. His mother, like all good mothers, has given him a solid foundation of how to live one’s life, stay safe, and thrive. But Finnegan is young and foolish. He has decided he must find a guru, and he has determined that the guru cannot be found where he is. To find his guru, he must venture out into the world. He throws out his mother’s rules (although he does keep some of them) and stumbles into Squiggly Woods.

Squiggly Woods is full of interesting critters, but there is a “dark spirit” over it. Finnegan first experiences this when trying to cross a river. To cross, he must pay a toll or suffer the wrath of the local bully, the bear Duh Fuz. Finnegan refuses to pay the toll, crosses the river anyway, and just manages to escape the bear. But he doesn’t get too far when a storm blows up and a tree limb falls on him, trapping Finnegan underneath it. No one but Crookshank, a crow with a damage leg, will help him. All the other critters that come upon him either laugh or refuse. Her act of kindness forges a friendship between the two. Little does Finnegan know that this unlikely savior is also his guru.

And thus begins the adventures of Finnegan and Crookshank.

Throughout the rest of the book, Finnegan continues his search for his guru. His preconceived notions about what a guru must be keep him from seeing the truth. A guru can only be an ancient, a hermit, or a great warrior. Crookshank is none of these. Besides, she’s a crow, and his mother warned him to never trust crows. Of course, she saved his life and she’s very wise, but… She is not a hermit, an ancient or a great warrior.

Eventually, he realizes that his guru has been with him all along, but not before he becomes embroiled in the politics of the woods, learns many lessons, and the two “outlaws” save the Squiggly Woods from the “dark spirit.”

Ms. Piper has an excellent mastery of the English language. The prose is beautiful, the story is well written, the allusions to church, society, and social pressure very obvious and humorous at times, but I struggled to read it. I puzzled over this. What was it about the book that kept me from enjoying it as much as the other readers who’ve reviewed it? Was I enjoying it? Yes and no.

I enjoyed the characters, but it just felt ponderous to me, as if the story lurched along at an uneven pace--one moment galloping along, the next screeching to a halt to accommodate another “lesson.” And, yes, I get that it’s a parody, but it’s very heavy handed, too heavy handed for this reader. For this reason, I give it a three star.

[Anyer Feanix · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recommend ‘Finnegan’s Quest’ to anyone who loves beautiful language and authors thinking outside of the box.

The story follows an inexperienced fox in his search of guidance. In a way, this allegory reminds me of my ongoing progress towards maturity, and how I find inspiration in my peers and constantly adjust my judgement based on the people I meet. For this reason, I think this tale could be enjoyed by everybody irrespective of age.

The forming of an unlikely friendship between Finnegan and Crookshank takes me back to some relationships of mine where I was able to benefit from the precious experience and attitude of people who would not be my first choice as friends. Finnegan and Crookshank are proof that friendship and respect are universal feelings, which one must have available to even the most unusual companion. This novel is a precious reminder of this and some other simple truths enveloped in beautiful words.

‘Finnegan’s Quest’ truly demonstrates the author’s stylistic virtuosity. Beautifully written, it boasts the best language skills I’ve seen in months. Not only does Gloria embrace her task with that soulful poetry which reaches deep into your heart and skilfully connects the reader with Finnegan’s soul and emotions; she also paints the picturesque woodland and river landscapes throughout the novel in such an imaginative manner that it is easy to accompany the inquisitive fox in his quest.

Gloria loves her characters and knows how to infect her reader with that affection. I found the highbrow tone some of the smallest creatures used highly entertaining and endearing, e.g. the eloquence of Woolly Bear, who perhaps has more words in her dictionary than actual hairs on her body.

However, my reading experience was not effortless but rather on-and-off. While I enjoyed the language more than in most books, the story failed to hold me captive. This was due to an insufficient amount of deep, personal drama and too many (redundant) witty dialogues at the expense of story progression. Finnegan should have been put through a proper wringer, tortured, love-deprived, made to suffer a huge loss time and time again, ground into pieces, and eaten by Duh Fuz, only to be defecated undigested after managing to take a dozen selfies in the bear’s offensive gut. Only then does he deserve a happy ending.

[Jo Michaels · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up Finnegan's Quest during a promotional span on my blog where I ask Indie authors to come pitch their books for a chance to win a purchase and a review. Well, dear Finnegan got me from the sample, I bought it, read it, and will now get to my thoughts on it.

From a Reader's Perspective:
What I thought I was getting into--a book about a wily little fox on an adventure to find himself--was almost what I found. That being said, I didn't expect the very human situations and agendas I discovered buried in the text. I adore books about critters (loved Watership Down), and I figured this one would be more along the lines of a fox story with a rabbit flavor. But, sadly, I was disappointed. As a whole, the plot moved at a good clip sometimes and dragged along at others. I loved the crow, Crookshank, but she wasn't enough to save the story for me. It seemed the author had so much to argue against, her moral tale and overall agenda got lost as the story ambled along. Some of the puns were funny, and I laughed at those a time or two, but I kept reading in the hopes that the story would get better, which it didn't. If you enjoy books with a thick undercurrent of opinion about religion, politics, and other such things, this book is for you. If you're looking for a fluffy critter story, it won't whet your appetite. I did like little Finnegan, and enjoyed watching him grow into his own through the pages with Crookshank's guidance. Also, I see satire and I expect to laugh a lot. This book missed that mark, too, but I'm not gonna ding it for being categorized in that way.

From an Editor's Perspective:
I didn't find a lot of errors. No more than a usual couple. But those were negligible. Nice editing job on the grammatical end.

Rating:
1 Star for giving me Finnegan and his bushy curosity
1 Star for showing old arguments in a new light
1 Star for editing
-1 Star for plot and pacing
-1 Star for too many agendas packed into one book

Overall, a solid 3 out of 5 stars. Recommended for those who enjoy opinion books.

[Kathryn Dionne · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Finnegan fox ventures out in to Squiggly Woods in search of a guru, he has no idea how much his life is about to change. His encounters with characters both good and bad challenge him on his quest for enlightenment. Against the advise of his mother, he befriends a crow named Crookshank, who accompanies him on his life altering journey.

This was a delightful read, filled with wonderful characters reminiscent of those in the classic fables. I found the dialogue between the characters to be well thought out and written, and the scenes vividly portrayed. The author found an interesting way to impart life lessons on her readers without being preachy. IMO, this is a book that would appeal to many, including children, particularly if you read it to them. My only issue was that sometimes it was a bit too wordy, causing me to skip some spots in order to get back to the flow of the story.

All in all, it is an enjoyable book that I would recommend. Nice job, Ms. Piper!

[Chotley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finnegan's Quest is an allegory of modern times written in the style of a fairy tale. Finnegan, the endearing if naive young fox goes off into the world to find his guru. Because of his own preconceived notions and a warning from his mother, he's unable to recognize his guru when he meets her.

Younger readers might well find this difficult to digest because of the harsh realities of nature where animals eat one another. Adult readers capable of reading between the lines will recognize parodies of our modern life portrayed in a negative light.

The descriptions of the natural world were beautifully done. I could smell the flowers, feel the sun beating down, and hear the cries of the jays. This is a book worth the read for those parts alone.