Desire and Pursuit

by Frank Delaney

To exact revenge for her "snobbery", Ann Halpin's family manoeuvre her into an abusive marriage. At her wedding reception, she is observed by a journalist. He obsessively pursues his vision of possessing this girl whom he has only glimpsed, though she does not even know he exists.

Genres: Fiction

400 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1999

About the author

Frank Delaney was an author, a broadcaster on both television and radio, journalist, screenwriter, playwright, lecturer, and a judge of many literary prizes. Delaney interviewed more than 3,500 of the world's most important writers. NPR called him 'The Most Eloquent Man in the World'. Delaney was born and raised in County Tipperary, Ireland, spent more than twenty-five years in England before moving to the United States in 2002. He lived in Litchfield County, Connecticut, with his wife, writer and marketer, Diane Meier.

Reviews

[Dodau]

This was another book that I bought ages ago that has just come to the top of mount TBR. This one however shows that my taste in books has changed, I would never pick this one to buy now.
That said it was easy to read although I did skip ahead at several points because I knew what was going to happen. The spilt viewpoint made it easier in one respect, short chapters, but I've never had much interest in politics and would prefer to forget about the bloodshed of the troubles , so Andrews story didn't appeal to me. I also don't have much patience for women who just let things happen instead of standing up for theirselves or just walking away. So Ann made me want to slap her at times.
Other than that, it was well written and paced with a genuine plot twist at the end.

[Diane Meier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an ambitious idea -- a difficult story told in two voices. And we never confuse them. Great writing.

There is so much to like about this story, but even more when you see it as a myth designed to reveal the nature of Ireland as she struggled to find a moral compass in a material world.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rarely read books twice. But I have read this one at least twice and may go back again. Great story telling