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On the Run by William Shaw
Artisan Book Reviews Book Excellence Award
Nerdection’s Must Read Award
Weeks after his father, Terence, is jailed in Maze Prison, Tim Connolly arrives in New York to stay with relatives. Bridget, his mother, believes her seventeen-year-old son will be safer with an ocean between him and the Troubles. Tim is not safe, however. Resented by his American uncle and bullied and beaten at school, he becomes sullen, withdrawn, and desperately homesick. But when a gym class exercise on the school track reveals his remarkable speed, the track coach recruits Tim for the team. Running becomes Tim’s obsession. With every success he gains confidence and courage. Tim’s success, however, infuriates his enemies, whose plots against him grow increasingly violent. Meanwhile his father’s hunger strike, and his mother’s controversial women’s anti-H-Block crusade, weigh heavily on Tim. As he trains for the 1983 National AAU 800-Meter Championship, Tim is unprepared for the series of shocking events that will occur on race day.
Artisan Book Reviews:
Packed with historical significance, and an epic storyline with loads of heart, On the Run, by William Shaw is a must read.
When Tim Connolly’s dad is imprisoned as a terrorist in Belfast, his mom sends him to live in America with family believing it to be the safer choice for her son. Tim comes to live with his aunt and uncle in New York. His uncle, however, takes a long-held resentment out on Tim, as do a group of bullies at his school. Far away from home and desperately lonely, Tim devolves into a sad, homesick state…until an exercise in gym uncovers Tim’s unique skill — he’s an extraordinary runner. Running becomes Tim’s obsession — when he’s running, no one can bother him — no one can even come near him! However, as his skills and confidence grow, so do his enemies’ plans. Learning of his dad’s hunger strike and his mom’s political work in Ireland dramatically unsettles Tim. He believes he should be home instead of in America. His coach, however, reminds Tim of his unique talent and persuades Tim to continue running while achieving notoriety and dedicating his victories to his father and mother.
However, when Tim decides to train for the 1983 AAU National
Championship rather than return to Ireland, his enemies see this as an opportunity to take revenge on him. What happens will shock you.
Tim is a thoughtfully written character. I love his Irish accent, his heart, and his drive. The writing style in this book is also immediately welcoming. For example, Shaw does an amazing job of developing multiple storylines throughout the story and offering smaller backstory progressions throughout the larger narrative.
I loved the story’s historical significance. I didn’t know about the anti-H block movement in Northern Ireland until I read this book. What a fascinating, important time in history! If you’re a reader who enjoys historical fiction, a lover of Kristin Hannah, for example, this novel is for you! I fell in love with Tim’s fight in this book, and I think you will too! Artisan Book Reviews highly recommends On the Run by William Shaw. Book read and reviewed by Ruthie Jenkins for Artisan Book Reviews.
Buy On the Run by William Shaw
On the Run by William Shaw
Best Historical Fiction, Family Drama, Sports Fiction
ABR Book Excellence Award Wunner
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