This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Ibrahim Aslan for Readers' Favorite
Paddy and the Banshee by Marty Martin is a memoir about a boy named Paddy who grows up between rural Ireland and New York City during the 1960s. His life is full of constant change: moving from one place to another, dealing with his parents' separation, and losing the people he loves. In Ireland, he is surrounded by stories of Irish folklore, especially the legend of the Banshee, a mournful spirit that supposedly appears before death. Paddy begins to experience events that seem both real and supernatural, and these encounters leave a strong impression on him. His curious nature often puts him in risky situations, but he also learns to become resilient. As Paddy's imagination intertwines with the real struggles of his daily life, readers are left wondering how these experiences will determine the person he eventually becomes.
What makes Paddy and the Banshee truly memorable is the way Marty Martin combines childhood memories with the confusion that comes with growing up in an ever-changing environment. Paddy's entire journey feels completely realistic from start to finish. Even the Irish folklore mentioned gives the story an evocative meaning. The Banshee's recurring theme doesn't feel like a simple ghost story. Little by little, it becomes a symbol of how children try to understand things that are too difficult or scary to put into words. I appreciated how the author connects ordinary everyday life with myth and mystery. The writing is sincere without being overly dramatic. Ultimately, the book is a gentle reminder that the challenges we face during our childhood often shape our perspective on the world over time.
