A Great Review of My Novel

From the US Review of Books-

Paddy Colman
by John Bruce Boyce
Trafford Publishing

reviewed by Mihir Shah

"It is not a natural thing for the people here, born here and destined to die here, to be governed by magistrates thousands of miles away."

Patrick "Paddy" Colman, a seaman in the English navy and writer at the Montevideo Star, first spots Tereza Ferrando in a Montevideo cathedral. Overwhelmed by her angelic beauty, a seemingly innocent relationship ensues, and later blossoms into love. Despite the tensions between England and colonial Montevideo, Paddy is immediately embraced by Tereza's friends and family.

Set at the onset of the 19th century, Boyce's novel fuses a complex love story with political tensions, revolution, and the desire for the Banda Oriental to be free of any and all rulers. While the star-crossed lovers enjoy their first parillada, a social gathering of music and dance, the English ship, Vigilance, orders all members to board immediately. Paddy's efforts to meet his mates in Maldonado are in vain; he is marooned—left behind. Though he risks being labeled a deserter by his mother country, Paddy marries Tereza and fathers two children: Katy and Luisito.

A storm is on the horizon, however, as Paddy's peaceful life is interrupted by revolution against tyrannical leaders. Tereza's brother, Luis, and Juan Lavalleja, the boyfriend of Tereza's best friend Ana are swept into the powerful words of Captain Jose Artigas and the waves of revolution. In reality, what sense is there in having your government be run by a country thousands of miles away—be it Spain, England, or Portugal? Interestingly, Artigas, Lavalleja, and the patriots face a critical dilemma: Even if they free themselves from Spanish domination, they will be oppressed by a new dictator—Buenos Aires.

Boyce's Paddy Colman is a unique, must-read testament to the perseverance of love in the harshest of adversities. This love, however, is not confined to man and woman; on the contrary, the love for one's motherland is portrayed with utmost romanticism, sincerity, passion, and heart.