The Origins of Benjamin Hackett

All families have secrets. Most go untold. Only the worst seem fated to return...Benjamin Hackett has come of age technically. And in the midst of the celebratory hangover his world is whipped out from under his feet. His parents have finally shared their lifelong secret with him; hes adopted.At the age of eighteen the boy still has some growing up to do and with the help of JJ his loquacious consigliore and bodyguard he embarks on an adventure thatll put to bed a lifetime of lies.Over the course of five days they find themselves caught up in the darker side of Cork. But when they sweep through the misfits blocking their way and finally discover the truth of it... now thats the greatest shock of all.The Origins of Benjamin Hackett is a tender tale of heartache and displacement told through a wry and courageous voice. Set in Ireland in the summer of 1996 its a timely reminder that the world hasnt moved on just as fast as we fancy. Now in this emotionally charged story Gerald OConnor explores conditioned guilt and its consequences in a country still hiding from the sins of its past.Praise for THE ORIGINS OF BENJAMIN HACKETTThe Origins of Benjamin Hackett by Gerald OConnor is a raucous and riotous coming of age story that is brutal tender and hilarious. -- Paul D. Brazill author of A Case of Noir and Guns of BrixtonOConnor doles out killer dialogue that adds oodles of character to this heros journey. Told with the lilt and panache of Joseph OConnor and Dermot Bolger in their novels of the 90s Gerald OConnor is the new and improved voice weve been waiting for. -- Gerard Brennan author of Undercover and Wee RocketsVisceral writing that inherits a long Irish tradition. OConnors narrative contains sharp characterisation and has an assured voice while dramatising conditioned guilt with humour and style. -- Richard Godwin author of Buffalo and Sour Mash and Wrong CrowdIf youre expecting the usual coming-of-age tale youre in for a big shock. This is a tale big on heart and one which the author Gerald OConnor has hied religiously to the advice of Harry Crews for writers to leave out the parts readers skip. None of those parts remain in these pages. An auspicious debut! -- Les Edgerton author of The Death of Tarpons The Bitch The Genuine Imitation Plastic Kidnapping Bomb and others