Hamill, Pete. Forever - Young Adult Review - Book Review

Little Brown, Back Bay. 613p. c2003. 0-316-73569-8. $14.95. SA

Cormac O'Connor is a young man with many secrets. His mother was a secret Jew in 1730s Ireland, his father a pagan Irishman following the old gods in secret as he and his wife adopt Protestant names and attend the local Anglican church for safety. After his mother is run over by the local Earl's carriage and his father later murdered by the same man, Cormac swears revenge according to the ways of the old Irish people--he must avenge his parents' deaths by killing the Earl. When the Earl flees to New York, Cormac follows. On the passage over, he helps and befriends several Africans recently enslaved who will be sold in the Manhattan slave markets on their arrival. One in particular, Kongo, is rumored to be a powerful shaman of his people and returns Cormac's kindness to him by assisting him in his quest to kill the Earl. After being mortally wounded during his act of revenge, Cormac is saved by Kongo through a magical ceremony in which he is granted immortal life, provided he stays on the island of Manhattan. And so Cormac's destiny is launched. The book zeros in on his life at various points in New York history; during the American Revolution, the corrupt 1830s, his friendship with Boss Tweed, and his final destiny as he falls in love with modern-day Delfina, a beautiful Dominican who will release him from this life and allow him to move into the afterlife--if he wants to.

Pete Hamill is well known for his ability to make New York history come alive and this work is no exception. Hamill pays particular attention to weaving into his narrative the prominent role African Americans have played in New York history. An interview with the author and a reading group guide can be found at the end of the book. Some sex and violence render this work more appropriate for senior high and public library collections. This is a wonderful addition to historical fiction or fantasy collections. Courtney Lewis, Libn., Wyoming Seminary Sch., Kingston, PA

S--Recommended for senior high school students.

A--Recommended for advanced students and adults. This code will help librarians and teachers working in high schools where there are honors and advanced placement students. This also will help extend KLIATT's usefulness in public libraries.

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