Worlds

by John Kearns

"Worlds" depicts four generations of the Logan family from Ireland in 1870 to New York City in 1998. In a mosaic of episodes arranged by theme, "Worlds" portrays a family through poetic shards of narrative. Through the lens of the Seven Deadly Sins/Lively Virtues, "Worlds" examines these representatives of four generations of Logans. __________________________________________________________________________________ 1) Seamus a broken-hearted lover who flees his home in 1870 County Mayo, Ireland for Connemara and New York. Seamus eventually makes his way to Philadelphia where he founds a new family and a construction dynasty. 2) Reverend Sarsfield Logan, a Jesuit priest who teaches French at Xavier High School in Manhattan’s Chelsea section. In 1910, Esther, a firebrand striker from the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, raises Sarsfield’s consciousness and tempts his heart. 3) Janey Logan (nee Dougherty): a sensitive introvert who falls in love with her engaged boss, James Logan, at his family company. After Janey wins James over and marries him, she struggles to be happy as a housewife and mother in the 1970s Philadelphia suburbs. 4) Paul a former South Bronx teacher and would-be poet/musician, Paul competes with the young Englishman, Charles, for the affections of Laura, a beautiful barmaid, on a wild late-night car trip from the World Trade Center to Times Square as the 1998 Good Friday Agreement is signed in Northern Ireland. __________________________________________________________________________________ "Worlds" was a finalist in the 2018 William Wisdom - William Faulkner Creative Writing Competition in New Orleans. An early excerpt from "Worlds" was a finalist for the 2002 New Century Writers’ Award. Another excerpt was named a finalist for the 2012 James Hearst Poetry Prize and published in the "North American Review." The "Danse Macabre" online literary magazine has published four additional excerpts from "Worlds."

342 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2020

Reviews

[Ronan Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Where do I start? I loved this on so many levels - perhaps because there are so many levels - I blazed right through it. It's the fastest I've read a book in a long time - even my wife noticed!

Anyway, I related to this book quite hard, as somebody originally from Co. Mayo, and relatively recently emigrated to New York City. I loved the historical elements. I loved the characters' moments of reflection. And I loved the twists and surprises and mystery.

I especially loved the account of the Races of Castlebar in the final chapter. My heart was pounding with excitement!

Content aside, John has a real poetic style of writing. What helped keep me engaged is that it's aesthetically pleasing language, but never feels wordy or pretentious. Not everybody who writes elegantly can pull that off. Every sentence added to your feeling of being a part of the story, and I do mean added, rather than said the same thing in a different way.

Worlds has a bittersweet feel to it. Alongside the warmth of familial life and the success the Logan family finds, is a discomfort with the very same things.

I would say that the appeal of Worlds goes beyond Irish and Irish-American readers. While the themes and characters will feel close to that group, anybody who appreciates carefully, considerately crafted lyrical writing will get along well with this book. Highly recommended.