Roman Song

I have just finished 'Roman Song' which I read without having read its prequel 'The Arrival of Fergal Flynn'. I found it moving,funny,tender amusing and an absolute delight. Fergal's character, with all its flaws wraps itself around your heart and despite feeling infuriated sometimes at his continual lack of belief in himself you cannot help but understand his sense of inferiority when his home life has been so tragic. The ensuing rise to impending fame as an opera singer is beautifully handled as is the all encompassing love that Alfredo and his sister have for the troubled young man. You are willing him to suceed.When he finds love and a sense of acceptance and regard for his mother, a woman as put upon by her past as Fergal himself has been you want to cry 'YES!!!!' happy that he is a person in his own right. The Alfredo/Brendan story is handled beautifully and Alfredo's own impending happiness with Salvatore is heart warming. A novel about acceptance of love in all its many guises. I can't wait to read the original novel now, and would hope that a third could be on the horizon.

Unleashing talent and finding love in Rome (1/1 people found this helpful)

Roman Song follows Fergal Flynn's progress picking up directly from The Arrival of Fergal Flynn, as Fergal leaves his native Belfast and arrives in Rome ready to commence his training under the tutelage of international opera star Alfredo Moretti.
Fergal settles in quickly, working in and living above the family restaurant of Alfredo's sister Arianna while pursuing his singing lessons. But he desperately misses the intimacy he enjoyed with Father Dermot MacManus, his saviour and lover in Belfast. He struggles too to find his true self and unleash the full depth of his remarkable talent, held back by feelings on inadequacy and his troubled Belfast upbringing.
Alfredo has to confront his own problems when a figure from his past arrives in Rome, at the same Fergal receives tragic news from home, presenting them both with difficult challenges that will have far reaching effects.
But there are bright prospects in view individually for both Fergal and Alfredo, will they have the strength, courage and confidence to recognise them and grasp them.
The moving Arrival of Fergal Flynn introduced us to an appealing but vulnerable character and this sequel is every bit as delightful as we follow Fergal's progress and see the roughness of his Belfast upbringing tempered as he finds himself in environment in which he truly feels at home. A very moving and heart-warming love story, at times funny, but always captivating and enthralling; Roman Song is highly recommended.

'The Great Escape!' (1/1 people found this helpful)

I felt magnetised to follow up on young Fergal after his departure from Belfast and his break away from father Mac the one person he had come to rely on, the only one to show him genuine love and a true belief in Fergal's emerging talent.Fergal's story goes to a deeper level of emotion, right to the 'core' it is so believeable, so 'real' I felt totally emerged in Fergal's new life in Rome with the natural warmth of his new Italian family they really took Fergal to their hearts.
I believe many gay people will identify with Fergal's experiences and enable them to value who they are, be themselves and love themselves. I believe this story will also give others insight into the 'real world' experiences as it demonstrates genuine loving gay relationships. I think the song 'You raise me up' would be very appropriate for Fergal as his self worth and belief begin to grow.

An amazing story, brilliantly written by a multi- talented artist - Thank you Brian

Every copy should arrive with a handkerchief! (22/24 people found this helpful)

I took delivery of both this book and its predecessor, The Arrival of Fergal Flynn, on the same day. Having read the first in the space of a few hours earlier in the day, I made the mistake of picking up Roman Song at midnight with the intention of reading a chapter or two before switching off the light. Four and a half hours later, as I put the finished book aside, I realised I had to get up for work within the hour.

Picking up where The Arrival of Fergal Flynn left off, this is a wonderfully written and moving account of his time in Rome under the expert tutelage of the renowned vocal coach Alfredo Moretti. As in the first book, Fergal quickly but resolutely tiptoed into my heart and I could not put the book down until I knew whether or not he would find the happiness he so richly deserved. It's been a long time since I felt so drawn to a character and I went through every emotion as I followed his experiences. I laughed, I cried, I sighed, I felt his frustrations, I exalted in his achievements but most of all I just cared.

Here's hoping that it won't be too long before a third installment comes along. Thank you, Brian Kennedy. Knowing Fergal Flynn has been a real pleasure.

Brian Kennedy

Reader Reviews:

A thoroughly wonderful book (0/0 people found this helpful)

Unleashing talent and finding love in Rome (1/1 people found this helpful)

'The Great Escape!' (1/1 people found this helpful)

Every copy should arrive with a handkerchief! (22/24 people found this helpful)

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