Genre: Historical
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
In 1939, the world tumbles toward war and the lives of two young men will be forever changed.
James Brennan grew up in the poorest of Dublin’s tenements, turning adversity to advantage wherever he could. But he’s nearly a man now—with a good education at that—and wants more from life than what he can get as a day laborer, or following his father into the factory.
Otto Werner is the privileged son of a German diplomat stationed in Dublin. Otto is destined for great things in the new Europe sure to arise after Germany’s victory in the war. But he’s a lonely young man, living in Ireland with only his father for company, cut off from friends and family back home.
The two teens meet by chance, and each sees in the other a means to advance his own interests. But they quickly become friends, and then—surprisingly, dangerously—more. As the globe spirals deeper into chaos, the love between the young men deepens; but their world is not a hospitable place for forbidden love.
As war comes closer and closer to home, everything they believe—about themselves, about each other, about the world around them—will be shattered. Will their love for each other survive the pull toward destruction in a world gone mad?
The Review
Dublin Bay is a heart-wrenching story by John Patrick. The story takes readers back in history to wartime in 1939. James Brennan is Irish and Otto Werner is German – they make a special connection, but can they withstand the horrors of war?
James and Otto meet when they are both sixteen. As Otto’s mother and sister are boarding a ship back to Germany for safety, James has just finished collecting mussels for his family’s dinner. Otto, knowing how much his father yearned for mussels, talks James into selling his mussels to him.
James lives in poverty, and the offer for the mussels is more money than he had ever seen. Not knowing how to prepare mussels, James get’s his sister Annabelle to help. This meeting leads to very beneficial jobs for both Annabelle and James. They are able to help their Mother get a better life.
During the next couple years, James and Otto become lovers, but the war rages on – it’s ugly and has everyone taking sides. Eventually Otto and Jimmy both experience the atrocities of war. Otto knows how it will end for him, while James finds a way to aid in the war and work towards a new and better life ahead.
Patrick brings WWII to life the page. He takes the reader back to that devastating time, step by step, as the Nazi Germany takes over Europe. Ireland held their own and tried to remain neutral, but the IRA believed in what Germany was doing because of their hatred for the control of British government.
The story also addresses family bonds and the strict beliefs of the Irish Catholic religion.
Patrick also brings the characters of James and Otto alive with their in-depth feelings, strengths, fears and support of each other. Otto, being German, often feels guilt, while James is often optimistic and continues his plan to find a better life. Both are equally brave, facing the harsh realities of war.
I also found American Howard Fulman really interesting. He brought an awakening to James, educating him on politics and religion. Through Fulman, James learns of a way to help the plight of the Jews and refugees.
Dublin Bay is a well written page-turner. Patrick keeps readers in suspense at every turn. I’ve read several fiction novels that take place during WWII, but “Dublin Bay” brought a new outlook to the era with its setting in Ireland. I’m can’t wait to find out what John Patrick has planned for a sequel!
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
