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"At once a beautiful tribute, and an entertaining account of an extraordinary undertaking, this is - perhaps above all else - a book about not being ruled by fear."
After running 35 marathons in 35 days to raise money for charities that helped his father after he’d suffered a stroke (as recounted in Marathon Man), in 2016 author Alan Corcoran and his dad met in France to watch Ireland play in the UEFA European Football Championship. A very short time later, his dad dies after a late-diagnosis of stage-four cancer. The loss is recounted in searing style that will cut to the core of anyone who’s lost a parent: “Carrying your parent’s coffin and lowering their body into the earth is the heaviest load a child of any age can bear”.
From this, the author channels his grief, his sense of adventure, and his father’s love of sport into an almighty feat of grit and devotion. Namely, swimming the length of Ireland from the Giant’s Causeway to Waterford. Through reading Unsinkable readers are able to join the author on this incredible journey, feeling every struggle, every laugh, every set-back and every triumph thanks to Corcoran’s infectious enthusiasm, honesty and considerable storytelling skills — the dialogue and pacing are especially top-notch.
At once a beautiful tribute, and an entertaining account of an extraordinary undertaking, this is - perhaps above all else - a book about not being ruled by fear. In the author’s wise, inspirational words: “We cannot control the sea. The tide will flood and push us forwards. Tides will also ebb, drag us to deep waters, and make life more challenging to soldier through. Joyful and tragic moments are both guaranteed. Savour the current when the tide’s at your back, try to remain hopeful and calm in the passing ebb and give your honest best during both tides”.
Joanne Owen, A LoveReading Ambassador
| Primary Genre | Biographies & Autobiographies |
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A very enjoyable, inspiring and emotional read.
Alan Corcoran's story of his epic adventure to swim round the coast of Ireland starts with one of the best dedications I have seen. The book starts with his completion of 35 marathons in 35 days to run the coast of Ireland to raise money for charity following his Dad's stroke. Alan then tells us of joining pals on the last leg of a charity bike ride, taking up charity boxing and following the Irish football time in the UEFA tournament in France. The driver for the swim around the coast of Ireland was his Dad's sudden death from cancer, which was written about so tenderly in the book it broke my heart. The planning and training for the swim was all-consuming and attempt 1, ending in the sinking of a RIB, started in May 2017. Attempt 2 began in June 2019, following the purchase of a proper sailing boat to accompany the swim.... Read Full Review
