Former athlone teacher set to launch debut novel

A former Athlone secondary school teacher has just his written his first book, which will be launched in the town’s library this evening (Thursday).

'Chimes of Freedom Flashing’ is the title of the novel by John Bray, a retired science teacher who worked for over 30 years in Athlone Community College.

The book will be launched at the Aidan Heavey Library at 7pm.

Speaking to the Westmeath Independent last week, John said the book involves an aging psychiatrist in a small town who embarks on a quest to save his patients from madness and make himself famous.

After he retired from teaching, approximately eight years ago, John packed a rucksack, scaled the Pyrenees and trudged through the wilderness of Northern Spain to Santiago de Compostela.

The Camino walk to Santiago features prominently in his book. The title is taken from the 1964 Bob Dylan song 'Chimes of Freedom’ which John described as “one of the greatest songs on human freedom ever recorded.”

When asked which authors he tends to read, John mentioned Paulo Coelho, Anton Chekhov and Leo Tolstoy.

His book begins with a quote from Franz Kafka: “Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.”

All are welcome to attend the launch of 'Chimes of Freedom’ flashing. Copies of the book will be on sale at the event, priced €10, and the novel can also be accessed on Amazon Kindle under the author’s name in Irish: Seán de Brí.