O’Sullivan: Stories From The Deep
I like drinking water. I also like looking at bodies of it and occasionally being on it. However, I am largely averse to being in it except on a very rare occasion. Ken O'Sullivan, on the other hand, was born and bred near to and in the water near the south west coast of Ireland. He ultimately became a marine film maker.
The book opens with a wonderful statement of place and self; what it is to be a product of one’s environment, upbringing and heritage. It then progresses to detail the hardships and the lean years encountered in his early career. One near death experience stands out.
The book continues with his history of filming sharks, whales and exotic jellyfish off the coast of Ireland and all the way down to the Azores. I found it fascinating that such creatures lived in the waters of our coastline.
The book is eloquently and even poetically written [includes a few poems] in places, particularly on the topics which he is passionate about, most especially at the beginning and at the end of the book. It is an easy and engaging style reminiscent of an old Irish seanachaí [fireside story teller] relating a good story to you, personally.
