Review : Venetia Kelly's Travelling Show by Frank Delaney

Title : Venetia Kelly's Travelling Show (A Novel of Ireland #1)
Author: Frank Delaney
Publication date: February 23rd 2010 by Random House

I chose to read this book because of reading slump and to chase it away, I decided to read something out of my comfort zone. Why's it outside my comfort zone? you may ask. Well for one, it's a long story (I wasn't sure long story will cure my slump) two, I know nothing about Ireland's past. Three, this book contains political stuffs I couldn't care less about. It is one of those books which I don't know if I can relate too, but hey maybe despite of those traits, it will help freshen my reading mood!

Venetia Kelly's Travelling Show is a novel set in 19th century of Ireland, which at that time (according to what I read) was trying to find its own identity. Ben McCarthy, an 18 year old boy who came from farmer family was forced to grow mature even when he wasn't ready.

Ben was mesmerized by this traveling show that came from United States and had Venetia Kelly as the lead actress. She was tall, beautiful and full of charisma and would enchant every men who watched her show. This book is about the love story of Ben.

Venetia made you know that it was you and only you she had always been waiting for, the person she had always wanted to see. And in so doing, she became the only person you always wanted to see. Ever.

I would say that Delaney's writing style is very poetic and to my surprise, I find it soothing even though there were times that I failed to understand the author's sense of humor (maybe it's because I don't know much about politics?) The story is narrated by old Ben, in conversational tone and I believe that this novel would be a superb audio book (which is also available). The author also add some background about Ireland politic, I have no idea about its accuracy, so if you're into politic, you might find it even more captivating. I myself don't really pay attention to it, since I am not into it in the first place.

I find Ben to be extremely mature for his age. I am not sure if it's just how youth acted back then or whether it's because what happen to him, but he's a likable guy. Nope, he's a lovely guy, really! I could fall in love with Ben, if he wasn't a fictional character. He's levelheaded, calm and very polite. He's also tall and since he's still 18, I find his naivety to be charming.

Time for a favorite quote now:

"D'you know about the Golden Rule?" I turned, in midstride (by now I was a giant again), and I think I held a pose, as I quoted from our Christian-doctrine class in school.

"Yes, do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

"What?" King Kelly looked at me as though I had just grown additional head.

"What blazes are you talking about, boy?"

"The Golden Rule. Moral reciprocity."

"No, boy. The Golden Rule is -- the man with the gold makes the rules."

4 ratings for Venetia Kelly's Traveling Show. If you are looking for a book that leaves you speechless at the ending, this is it. In fact, I am still thinking about it at this very moment. I am so glad that I ended up with a very good book from reading outside of my comfort zone. Now over to you, have you ever read a book with political background? What was it? Was it any good?