Frank Parker appreciation
Frank Parker
Frank came to TSL through one of our other authors – word of mouth is our most common recommendation – looking to have Called to Account published.
Called to Account is an historical fiction set at the time of the Irish famine in the mid-nineteenth century. Usually one reads about the ‘awful’ English abusing the Irish, however, in Called to Account, Frank exposes corruption and the backlash that can lead to. Why is it that some in power always have to exploit those who are less well-off than they are?
Dare I say that I appreciated the frank approach taken in this novel? Well, I did. Through the narrative, Frank took me on an emotive read, feeling the despair and frustration of the various players. The workhouse was brought to reality – you don’t need to have visited Ireland to get an idea (although it is a beautiful island to visit – both north and south). Whilst the setting is Ireland and famine, the issues Frank raises are timeless and borderless.
As an historian, Frank’s introduction to the book was greatly appreciated, putting his fiction into context. He’s also said a bit about it on his website and his grasp of the historical context is evidenced in his having undertaken a programme of study into Irish history. If you’re interested in finding out what else Frank has written, explore his site – his historical fiction focuses on Hereford and Ireland, two places dear to him. Whilst I don’t fully grasp fiction authors undertaking full-scale historical research to write fiction – why not write another history? – I do appreciate the freedom fiction gives to embrace and explore social and cultural aspects of a place and time in a way that more traditional history writing doesn’t. And it’s this aspect that Called to Account stands out for me.
