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The Outrageous Fortune of Abel Morgan
Returning from the wars in Restoration Europe, Christopher Morgan looks to rebuild his life in England and escape the memory of his recently deceased wife - although looking into the eyes of his young son, Abel, Christopher cannot help but be reminded of what he has lost. Over time, father and son develop a strong bond as Christopher establishes community ties in the West Country, having bought a pub and inherited the previous owner's employees. However this relationship is callously torn apart when Abel is snatched by local ruffians and sold overseas. From the eastern shores of Constantinople to the western American isles, time and tide divide the two, and Christopher will sail far and wide to search for his missing son.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 22, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 23, 2019
Alternating between events from the point of view of Christopher and his son, Abel (the latter told in first person), The Outrageous Fortune of Abel Morgan involves epic globetrotting adventures. The story is like a spirited mashup of Treasure Island, Kidnapped, Moonfleet and Pirates of the Caribbean. Along the way, there’s an encounter with a mysterious and malevolent stranger, a trader in information who, although playing a role in both Abel’s and Christopher’s lives, doesn’t feature in quite the significant way I expected.
It’s hard not to feel sympathy for Christopher, in despair at the death of his wife and the unexplained disappearance of his beloved son whom he fears may be either dead or enslaved. His feelings of guilt at the course of events cause him to indulge in a lot of soul searching as he travels the world in the hope of finding his son. Christopher even finds it difficult to recognize his own good nature when performing charitable deeds towards others.
Despite initial indications to the contrary, Abel does become the recipient of ‘outrageous’ good fortune, partly down to luck and partly down to several bold moves on his part as well as a willingness to grasp opportunities. Towards the end of the book, when it appears he has everything he should want from life, some of the actions he takes seem quite out of character and he became somewhat harder to like.
The story takes the reader from the moorland village of Dario in the West Country – the location of the splendidly named Rumfustian Inn and the haunt of smugglers – to the court of Charles II, to the maze-like streets and minarets of Constantinople, to Ireland and the Caribbean island of Jamaica. At times, I felt the pace of the book as a whole didn’t quite match the intensity of some of the action-packed scenes depicted, such as those involving Abel’s privateering adventures in the Caribbean.
Featuring smugglers, pirates, narrow escapes from death, joy, despair and every emotion in between, The Outrageous Fortune of Abel Morgan is a spirited, globetrotting historical adventure.
It’s hard not to feel sympathy for Christopher, in despair at the death of his wife and the unexplained disappearance of his beloved son whom he fears may be either dead or enslaved. His feelings of guilt at the course of events cause him to indulge in a lot of soul searching as he travels the world in the hope of finding his son. Christopher even finds it difficult to recognize his own good nature when performing charitable deeds towards others.
Despite initial indications to the contrary, Abel does become the recipient of ‘outrageous’ good fortune, partly down to luck and partly down to several bold moves on his part as well as a willingness to grasp opportunities. Towards the end of the book, when it appears he has everything he should want from life, some of the actions he takes seem quite out of character and he became somewhat harder to like.
The story takes the reader from the moorland village of Dario in the West Country – the location of the splendidly named Rumfustian Inn and the haunt of smugglers – to the court of Charles II, to the maze-like streets and minarets of Constantinople, to Ireland and the Caribbean island of Jamaica. At times, I felt the pace of the book as a whole didn’t quite match the intensity of some of the action-packed scenes depicted, such as those involving Abel’s privateering adventures in the Caribbean.
Featuring smugglers, pirates, narrow escapes from death, joy, despair and every emotion in between, The Outrageous Fortune of Abel Morgan is a spirited, globetrotting historical adventure.
August 26, 2019
Set in the 1600’s, this starts with Christopher Morgan arriving at The Rumfustian Inn, his new home, with tiny baby Abel, who is frail and Christopher doesn’t think he will survive…
But, with the care of the Blacksmith’s wife, he begins to thrive….
A close bond begins between Abel and his father, but after an altercation with a local smuggler, Abel is taken and awakes aboard a boat where he is expected to work to eat…
Christopher is distraught…..and believes Abel to be dead…..
However, Abel nearly escapes and sees his father, handing him a package, only for him to be taken again…
Can this map be a clue to where Abel has been taken?
What follows is a ripping yarn of pirates, adventure, desperation and love. It doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of slavery, servants and abuse, but it also does not sensationalise them.
Abel learns to be a surgeon, comes into money but his life isn’t all it could be with betrayal and tragedy. It is a story of Abel’s life, from weak baby to a grown man and all between. With little touches of his father’s search for him and his life at home.
Will Christopher and Abel ever be reunited ?
A totally unputdownable masterpiece of historical fiction with a difference …there will be tears.
Thank you to Anne Cater and Random Things Tours for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the book. This is my honest, unbiased review.
But, with the care of the Blacksmith’s wife, he begins to thrive….
A close bond begins between Abel and his father, but after an altercation with a local smuggler, Abel is taken and awakes aboard a boat where he is expected to work to eat…
Christopher is distraught…..and believes Abel to be dead…..
However, Abel nearly escapes and sees his father, handing him a package, only for him to be taken again…
Can this map be a clue to where Abel has been taken?
What follows is a ripping yarn of pirates, adventure, desperation and love. It doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of slavery, servants and abuse, but it also does not sensationalise them.
Abel learns to be a surgeon, comes into money but his life isn’t all it could be with betrayal and tragedy. It is a story of Abel’s life, from weak baby to a grown man and all between. With little touches of his father’s search for him and his life at home.
Will Christopher and Abel ever be reunited ?
A totally unputdownable masterpiece of historical fiction with a difference …there will be tears.
Thank you to Anne Cater and Random Things Tours for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the book. This is my honest, unbiased review.
August 25, 2019
1660, England. Christopher Morgan's life is in ruined. Her wife died in childbirth. Now, all he is left with in the world is his child, Abel. Working in the Inn he bought, his son is the only thing keeping him alive. Until he is smuggled away and sold by pirates.
While the plot was very interesting in its premise, the narrative fell too detailed. There were often times when this became discouraging while reading the book. This could have been much more interesting if the pace of the plot was a little faster. Christopher Morgan, one of the main characters of this book, has very hard to relate to at times. Sometimes it felt like his reactions to his environment and to other characters was very strange, and this definitely didn't contribute toward making him more relatable.
While the plot was very interesting in its premise, the narrative fell too detailed. There were often times when this became discouraging while reading the book. This could have been much more interesting if the pace of the plot was a little faster. Christopher Morgan, one of the main characters of this book, has very hard to relate to at times. Sometimes it felt like his reactions to his environment and to other characters was very strange, and this definitely didn't contribute toward making him more relatable.
August 25, 2019
Saturday, 24 August 2019
Blog Tour ~ The Outrageous Fortune of Abel Morgan by Cynthia Jefferies
On Hist Fic Saturday
I'm delighted to be on the blog tour and go back in time to ...1660
Allison and Busby
22 august 2019
My thanks to the publishers for my copy of this book
and to Random Things Tours for the invitation to be part of this blog tour
1660, England. War is at an end but for Christopher Morgan, his personalconflict rages on. Haunted by the tragic death of his wife, Christopher is desperate to escape the pain her memory brings, although looking into the eyes of his young son, Abel, he cannot help but be reminded of what he has lost.
Over time, father and son develop a strong bond until they are callously torn apart when Abel is snatched by smugglers and sold overseas.
From the shores of Constantinople to the coast of Jamaica, time and tide keep them apart. Christopher will sail across oceans to find Abel, never losing faith that one day they will be reunited, and, as the years pass, Abel will learn that fortune favours the brave.
What did I think about it..
When Christopher Morgan arrives at the Rumfustian Inn his life is in complete disarray but over time he settles into the running of the tavern and learns the hard way that he can't always rely on his neighbours to act in his best interest. The West Country in the 17th century is alive with intrigue, and when Christopher's young son, Abel, goes missing, the finger of blame seems to point at someone who bears a grudge towards Christopher.
Abel Morgan is only a child when his life takes an altogether different turn, and with a life of hardship ahead of him the story becomes a real swashbuckling adventure with tales of piracy on the high seas and of the dangers of life in the exotic port of Jamaica. Reading like a classic boys own adventure there is never a moment when the story doesn't lend itself to enterprise and intrigue and even though Abel's adventures take him into some dangerous situations, there is always a sense that, with his wits about him, Abel will survive whatever life throws at him. Christopher Morgan's desperate search for his lost boy will take him from meetings in London with Charles II, to dangerous assignations in Constantinople, where despite many setbacks and twists and turns, Christopher never stops hoping that his son will, one day, be returned to him.
The author brings alive both time and place, and allows the alternate narratives to give an exciting insight into both Christopher's and Abel's version of events. There's a great supporting cast of characters, I especially liked William and Jane at the Inn, and also, Turlough whose special role in the story made me quite emotional.
The Outrageous Fortune of Abel Morgan is an enjoyable 17th century historical romp which will appeal to those readers who like adventurous historical fiction
August 23, 2019
When Christopher Morgan arrives new to town to take over as owner of the local Inn he is still mourning the loss of his dear wife who died giving birth to their son. Believing his son to be dead as well he hardens his heart to the new reality. However, his son, Abel, miraculously survives and through the years they develop a close relationship.
"Loving Abel was not difficult. Christopher very soon found life unimaginable without him. Setting himself to be a mother as well as a father to the child, he rejoiced at his first smile, encouraged his first steps and soothed him from his nightmares"
When Christopher crosses a member of the town's notoriously dangerous families it starts off a series of events that will years to set right.
The first 20% of the book is told by Christopher's point of view until Abel is kidnapped and taken on a ship to a mysterious location, and then we get Abel's perspective. This young boy's resilience was amazing - it was great to see him handle himself so well in such a scary situation. When Christopher sets off to find his boy using a dangerous and mysterious map his travels take him to the court of Charles II, where we meet the King and Samuel Pepys, who happens to be the main character in another book I will be reading soon. Small world, eh?
"Sometimes, I think there's no hell like loving too well." - King Charles II
I have to admit that the unique cover is what first drew my attention to this book, and after reading the description I knew I had to check it out as I love a good adventure story! And it sure did not disappoint!
The Outrageous Fortune of Abel Morgan is a love letter to the bond between father and son. Jeffries' writing is exceptional and she keeps the reader engaged and entertained. I was flippin' the pages so fast to see if they would ever find each other again! My heart was in my feet a few times :)
I absolutely loved this book and can't wait for more from Cynthia Jeffries!
"Loving Abel was not difficult. Christopher very soon found life unimaginable without him. Setting himself to be a mother as well as a father to the child, he rejoiced at his first smile, encouraged his first steps and soothed him from his nightmares"
When Christopher crosses a member of the town's notoriously dangerous families it starts off a series of events that will years to set right.
The first 20% of the book is told by Christopher's point of view until Abel is kidnapped and taken on a ship to a mysterious location, and then we get Abel's perspective. This young boy's resilience was amazing - it was great to see him handle himself so well in such a scary situation. When Christopher sets off to find his boy using a dangerous and mysterious map his travels take him to the court of Charles II, where we meet the King and Samuel Pepys, who happens to be the main character in another book I will be reading soon. Small world, eh?
"Sometimes, I think there's no hell like loving too well." - King Charles II
I have to admit that the unique cover is what first drew my attention to this book, and after reading the description I knew I had to check it out as I love a good adventure story! And it sure did not disappoint!
The Outrageous Fortune of Abel Morgan is a love letter to the bond between father and son. Jeffries' writing is exceptional and she keeps the reader engaged and entertained. I was flippin' the pages so fast to see if they would ever find each other again! My heart was in my feet a few times :)
I absolutely loved this book and can't wait for more from Cynthia Jeffries!
August 25, 2019
Set just after the end of the English Civil War, Cynthia Jeffries' first foray into adult fiction opens with Christopher Morgan returning from exile in Europe to reclaim his family and make a new life. Tired of war, Christopher has turned his back on Charles II’s court to start over in in Dario, in the wilds of the West Country, as the new owner of the wonderfully named Rumfustian Inn.
From the first pages, when Christopher arrives at his new home, it’s clear that not all is as it should be. Christopher is numb with grief, his wife dead and his baby seemingly not long for this world. Then there’s the inn and its frightened, secretive occupants. And yet young Abel rallies and father and son forge a strong bond as they settle into country life.
However, when Christopher crosses Daniel Johnson, a malevolent local smuggler, he pays the ultimate price, his son sold into slavery.
Jeffries employs dual narratives to weave the Morgans’ stories. As a heartsick Christopher endeavours to find his son, often at great personal risk, crossing continents in the hope of being reunited with him, Abel, in turn, must use all his wits to survive the various challenges thrown at him, all the while believing his father dead.
Beautifully told, in the vein of the best historical writers, du Maurier and J. Meade Falkner among them, Abel Morgan is a fantastic novel, full of wild adventures in exotic locales. It is also a story of the indomitable human spirit and the staggering power of parental love. Actually, you know what? It’s just a rollicking good tale.
Based on a review published as part of the book tour. See: http://www.theliteraryshed.co.uk/read...
Many thanks to the publisher for sending us a review copy. All opinions our own. All rights reserved.
From the first pages, when Christopher arrives at his new home, it’s clear that not all is as it should be. Christopher is numb with grief, his wife dead and his baby seemingly not long for this world. Then there’s the inn and its frightened, secretive occupants. And yet young Abel rallies and father and son forge a strong bond as they settle into country life.
However, when Christopher crosses Daniel Johnson, a malevolent local smuggler, he pays the ultimate price, his son sold into slavery.
Jeffries employs dual narratives to weave the Morgans’ stories. As a heartsick Christopher endeavours to find his son, often at great personal risk, crossing continents in the hope of being reunited with him, Abel, in turn, must use all his wits to survive the various challenges thrown at him, all the while believing his father dead.
Beautifully told, in the vein of the best historical writers, du Maurier and J. Meade Falkner among them, Abel Morgan is a fantastic novel, full of wild adventures in exotic locales. It is also a story of the indomitable human spirit and the staggering power of parental love. Actually, you know what? It’s just a rollicking good tale.
Based on a review published as part of the book tour. See: http://www.theliteraryshed.co.uk/read...
Many thanks to the publisher for sending us a review copy. All opinions our own. All rights reserved.
June 6, 2019
This isn't my usual genre but reading the description I had to give it a go.
1660 in England and Sir Christopher Morgan has survived war, married and had a child. Unfortunately his wife dies in childbirth and Christopher can't bear the guilt whenever he looks at his son Abel. Christopher purchases an inn to get away from court life and begins to bond with his son until the day Abel is snatched by smugglers and sold to pirates.
Christopher spends the next few years searching for his son whilst we also hear the story from Abel's view. Eventually believing Abel dead, Christopher goes back to the inn and becomes an avid gardener known for his roses. Abel ends up living in Jamaica before disaster finally sends him back to England. Will father and son be reunited?
This was a fun alternative to my usual history genre, I found the pirates to be a refreshing change! The writing keeps a steady pace and really makes you feel for the characters.
I do wish there'd been more description of the clothes, other characters so I could visualise them. I'd be interested to see if any other books come from this like a book for Turlough a young boy adopted by Christopher, his story would be really interesting!
1660 in England and Sir Christopher Morgan has survived war, married and had a child. Unfortunately his wife dies in childbirth and Christopher can't bear the guilt whenever he looks at his son Abel. Christopher purchases an inn to get away from court life and begins to bond with his son until the day Abel is snatched by smugglers and sold to pirates.
Christopher spends the next few years searching for his son whilst we also hear the story from Abel's view. Eventually believing Abel dead, Christopher goes back to the inn and becomes an avid gardener known for his roses. Abel ends up living in Jamaica before disaster finally sends him back to England. Will father and son be reunited?
This was a fun alternative to my usual history genre, I found the pirates to be a refreshing change! The writing keeps a steady pace and really makes you feel for the characters.
I do wish there'd been more description of the clothes, other characters so I could visualise them. I'd be interested to see if any other books come from this like a book for Turlough a young boy adopted by Christopher, his story would be really interesting!
August 22, 2019
3.5/5
https://thecaffeinatedreader.com/2019...
While this is more about Abel when he gets older, it’s certainly just as much about his father and I have to say that Christopher was my favorite character in the novel. He had an array of emotions, prone to bouts of melancholy, and yet, there is a true kindness to him a lot of the times. He’s also proven to do whatever it takes to save his son, trying to track him down all the way to Constantinople! He finds himself along the way and redemption, never daring to seek forgiveness for past actions that haunt him but forced to face some of them along the way.
Abel doesn’t share as many as his father’s qualities, but he’s not to blame considering he was ripped away from his father and grew up under very different circumstances. Unfortunately, I didn’t really find him sympathetic after he gave up his seafaring ways. He does not have the same gentleness, again he grew up differently and at the end, I suspect I was ‘team’ Turlough rather than team Abel. This doesn’t take away from the journey of Abel and the subsequent journey of his father and they both have such fascinating lives because of this tragedy set in motion when Abel was taken.
Content/Trigger Warnings: Slavery, abuse, marital rape, violent deaths
https://thecaffeinatedreader.com/2019...
While this is more about Abel when he gets older, it’s certainly just as much about his father and I have to say that Christopher was my favorite character in the novel. He had an array of emotions, prone to bouts of melancholy, and yet, there is a true kindness to him a lot of the times. He’s also proven to do whatever it takes to save his son, trying to track him down all the way to Constantinople! He finds himself along the way and redemption, never daring to seek forgiveness for past actions that haunt him but forced to face some of them along the way.
Abel doesn’t share as many as his father’s qualities, but he’s not to blame considering he was ripped away from his father and grew up under very different circumstances. Unfortunately, I didn’t really find him sympathetic after he gave up his seafaring ways. He does not have the same gentleness, again he grew up differently and at the end, I suspect I was ‘team’ Turlough rather than team Abel. This doesn’t take away from the journey of Abel and the subsequent journey of his father and they both have such fascinating lives because of this tragedy set in motion when Abel was taken.
Content/Trigger Warnings: Slavery, abuse, marital rape, violent deaths
October 25, 2019
This was an interesting read, about (Sir) Christopher Morgan and his son Abel. Somewhat unbelievably, Christopher buys a country inn to take his family to, but before he arrives to take ownership his wife dies in childbirth. He arrives with his son who is barely alive, and soon realises he has to deal with the local smuggler, who had an 'arrangement' with the previous inn owner. This leads to misfortune for Christopher and Abel. We follow Abel as he is pressed into service on a ship, and then on to his various adventures. His father never gives up the search, which takes him to court where he renews his acquaintance with the king, then on to Constantinople.
Thanks to the publisher for a review copy.
Thanks to the publisher for a review copy.
November 30, 2019
A depressing start to the book, very gloom and doom also why was Christopher's wife left alone? Rejection of baby and deepening depression. Thank goodness for Jane who saved the baby's life and turned out to be a wise resourceful person.. Once Christopher recovered he embraced his son and involved him in the everyday life of the inn, a smugglers den. Life seemed fairly settled for father and son until Abel is kidnapped, then the adventures really begin, a glimpse into life on the high seas with all excitement and intrigue. Both men make decisions which lead to their downfall and do not show either of them in a sympathetic light. Lots of plot twists and turns with satisfactory ending..
September 15, 2019
This was a very interesting story. The historical aspects were good but more detail could have helped. Abel and his father are intriguing characters. Their lives complex. There were portions of the story I was not comfortable with and did not read. If they had been left out, I could have given the book 5 stars. I don't think those portions were necessary to the story, nor did they enhance the telling. I would have preferred more detail about Abel and his family and their life in Port Royal, which was very briefly told.
November 26, 2019
What a strange story
I have had difficulty deciding how to review this book...What I thought would be a fairly traditional adventure story wasn't.
I did enjoy it and found, in parts that I greatly enjoyed it.
But, some threads that the author touched on was never really covered.
I also found the baddy one dimensional. And was there more to set up the capture than any other reason.
Also as some other reviewer mentioned, the son does turn out to be a snob.
Saying that I did really enjoy it.
I have had difficulty deciding how to review this book...What I thought would be a fairly traditional adventure story wasn't.
I did enjoy it and found, in parts that I greatly enjoyed it.
But, some threads that the author touched on was never really covered.
I also found the baddy one dimensional. And was there more to set up the capture than any other reason.
Also as some other reviewer mentioned, the son does turn out to be a snob.
Saying that I did really enjoy it.
Read
October 15, 2019Engaging and enjoyable
A great read, couldn't put this book down. A good plot and some wonderful characters. Engaging throughout. Hugely enjoyable indeed.
A great read, couldn't put this book down. A good plot and some wonderful characters. Engaging throughout. Hugely enjoyable indeed.
July 29, 2019
What a wonderful book! I really felt bad for both father and son that they were separated like they were just when they found each other and the love! Very adventurous and exciting events going on both the father and sons life! Very interesting characters in their lives and excitement with pirates. It was kinda drawn out some but it still was a very interesting and emotional book! Thank you net galley!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews