Finnegan

The author Michael Morrissey introduces FINNEGAN : A novel of Tahiti and Jamaica, to be published in late 2023, as well as earlier works to promote breadfruit: Breadfruit Stories (2021) and the short movie Sweet Yellow Heart (2022). These support global advocacy around breadfruit as a sustainable, nutritious food crop led by the Trees That Feed Foundation .

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael Morrissey is a senior education advisor, professor, and author. He gained Master’s degrees in Caribbean Geography and Education at the University of the West Indies, later teaching at this institution for 25 years.

FINNEGAN, THE NOVEL

A floating forest of breadfruit trees sails westerly across the world’s oceans and enters the Caribbean Sea. Captain Bligh is the master of the ship — his first breadfruit mission had been thwarted by mutiny and this time he is determined to succeed.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Characters are grouped according to the place where they first appear in the novel. There are those of Tahiti or nearby islands. There are the British naval officers who commanded assaults on Tahiti together with scientists and professionals on board the frigates involved.

“The story told by Finnegan of the voyage of the breadfruit from Tahiti to the Caribbean region, particularly to Jamaica, fills in historical accuracy with a compelling narrative of how this played out in human experience. Lyrically told, the story traces human hardships and suffering as well as the satisfaction and triumphs of the enslaved people in colonial times 200 years ago. Their stories, their relationships, the role of the trees, and the food that sustained them, all come to life, to reality. The reader is pulled into the backwoods of Jamaica’s mountains. The story will appeal to all readers, especially those who’ve enjoyed historical fiction by Kenneth Roberts, C. S. Forester, and Hilary Mantel. A winning first novel. We look forward to more.”

Mary McLaughlin

Trees That Feed Foundation

“Tahitians are warriors, not afraid of death. If we fight well, we will be rewarded in rohotu no anoa, the equivalent of the Garden of Eden. As a Tahitian, I was captivated by the author’s recounting of Tahitian resistance in the novel.”

Anonymous

Tahitian reviewer

Get in Touch

FINNEGAN A Novel of Tahiti and Jamaica

For Publication & Rights Queries:
Jan Russell
sineadruiseal@gmail.com

For Author Queries:
Michael Morrissey
morrisseyjamaica@gmail.com