Nunn So Mighty: The Journals of Angus Roy Murphy by Mac McClure is the story of Angus Roy Murphy as he digs deep for a truth that has been kept a secret for far too long. Angus’s grandfather, Theodore Thomas Nunn, has always been a source of comfort and determination for him. The man is strong, silent, and capable. Better known as a house painter and a handyman, Angus always knew there was something beneath all that. But no one wants to answer his questions about his grandfather, his past, and why the attic in his childhood home remains locked? The more his family keeps things a secret, the more Angus wants to know. His opportunity arrives with a tragedy in the family, and Angus finally gets to dig deep into the mystery that is Nunn. However, the truth is sensitive, and if he isn’t careful, Angus might lose it all before he even gets the chance to experience the secrets first.

Dramatic fiction at its best, author Mac McClure creates fun, entertaining, and immersive descriptions and dialogues to keep readers wanting more. The story is a real page-turner, thanks to Angus and his well-developed character arc. He is a quick thinker; he has valid questions, and he does not wait for anyone else to get the job done for him. The narrative style is very natural, it flows incredibly well and gives plenty of opportunities for readers to make up their minds about what will happen next (you will never be able to guess right). Dramatic, entertaining, and exceptional, I would highly recommend this to any readers who enjoy dramas and literary fiction.

In Nunn So Mighty: The Journals of Angus Roy Murphy by Mac McClure, the author has taken man's inquisitive nature and written a most wonderful page-turning book of life as seen through the eyes of a child. The main characters are Angus Roy Murphy, his grandfather Theodore Thomas Nunn, his Uncle Bo, his grandmother Este, his mother Maggie, and his father John Murphy as well as a school friend, Wally. These delightful characters walk with Angus as he learns about his family’s history. I found it a wonderful look at how a young boy is guided by his family to face life and what it throws at him, learning right from wrong, his own self-worth, and to have confidence in himself and his decisions in life.

This is a page-turner and well worth reading. It is a must-read from cover to cover as it gives readers so many insights into what children think is important and why they dislike adults hiding the truth from them, no matter how trivial. It shows the reader that it is important for children to know how their parents grew up and what they did. The stories come to life with lessons in this wonderful book and shed light on how little we have left of the way of life when great-grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and parents formed and helped their children face life. These family members helped them grow up with a sense of right and wrong and a sense of self-worth and confidence.

Nunn So Mighty by Mac McClure is one of the few books I have read that has made me face myself in the mirror and realize that I actually like what I see inside and that if others don’t like it, then it is their problem, not mine. Thank you, Mac McClure, for a wonderfully delightful, humorous and sometimes sad, and thought-provoking book. It was a joy to read.

Nunn so Mighty by Mac McClure is a historical coming-of-age story with a sweet, familial feel about it. Angus Roy Murphy grew up in the 60’s as a lonely, young man. Taunted by his Irish roots he is deeply attached to his enigmatic grandfather, Theodore Thomas Nunn, who he adores and hero-worships but he is tormented by the unwillingness of his hero to talk about his past. Angus wonders what deep, dark secrets lurk in his grandfather’s past, who now works as a painter and decorator but Angus is certain a man so brilliant and clever as his grandfather must certainly have been more than a simple painter at some stage of his life. Angus’ requests for information on his grandad’s past are rebuffed not only by the man himself but by all the members of his family; his mum, his dad and his uncle Bo. It seems nobody is willing to help solve Angus’ dilemma. When tragedy strikes the family, finally Angus is allowed to explore the past and unlock the secrets that the family have kept hidden from him for so long. Will an exploration of his grandfather’s storied past serve to strengthen the love and respect he had for the man or will instead it expose terrible secrets that this family have fought for so long to keep from the young Angus? When Bo begins to provide Angus with the story, he quickly realizes his uncle is attempting to sanitize the truth from him. He wants details and he digs deeper determined to find the real Grandfather that lurks below the surface. What Angus discovers will change his life forever.

Nunn so Mighty was a real change of pace for me. This coming-of-age story resonated deeply with a reader who grew up in the same time period as young Angus and I reveled in the author’s descriptions of the adolescent Angus’ thoughts and feelings. Author Mac McClure has tapped into a reservoir of memories, thoughts and feelings that had long been consigned to the world of distant memories. The idea that adults should hide certain things from their children until they felt they were able to handle them emotionally is a concept that is severely tested and examined in this narrative. The arc of the story, whilst predictable certainly threw up some fascinating plot twists that kept this reader completely engaged and reading on to see where it would all lead. I particularly enjoyed the adolescent fumbling and sexual awakening of Angus and his friend Wally. The memories came flooding back of confused young boyish minds as we discovered the joys of Playboy and its ilk. The birthday party scene was incredibly familiar to me as I’m sure it will be to all readers. The deeper elements of this story, especially the concept of dark, family secrets that must be hidden from future generations was openly exposed as being a falsity and a mistake by this narrative. This was a fun, nostalgic read that I can highly recommend to anyone who has a heart or is young at heart.

Thank you to the author Mac McClure for an ARC of Nunn So Mighty for an honest review. This is the first book of a trilogy.
This is not my usual type of book as the stories go back to the early 1900’s when the Irish arrived in Cincinnati. They were given all the low paying jobs and not accepted. I thought the book was going to be all about that but I kept reading and I am sure glad I did. A young boy who loves his Grandfather and his Uncle digs into the stories and over time and tragedy he learns a lot.
This book will touch your heart and make you laugh. My jaw even dropped a couple times. The characters come across so real even though it’s fiction.
I will give a heads up there is lots of cussing and using of the F bomb. I feel like that fits with the story. I really enjoyed this book.

I've had to set it down less than halfway through, just to make it last longer and to digest the first half. The characters are wonderful, I'm not ready to quit hanging out with them, nor to leave a good representation of the years in which I was young. I've laughed aloud in public and cried until my head hurts.