The Moon Pool · Chapter
VII: Larry O'Keefe explained
Goodwin meets Larry O'Keefe, an Irish-American aviator rescued from a downed hydroairplane.
What happens
Goodwin meets Larry O'Keefe, an Irish-American aviator rescued from a downed hydroairplane. O'Keefe joins the Suwarna's voyage to Ponape, and Goodwin learns of his background and mystical Irish heritage. Meanwhile, Olaf Huldricksson, the rescued captain, begins to recover from his ordeal.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the story's dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of Larry O’Keefe’…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Duality of Human Experience
O'Keefe embodies a dual identity—Irish and American—and a blend of modern aviator with ancient mystical beliefs.
- Lost Civilizations and Ancient Wisdom
The mention of Nan-Matal and the ruins hints at ancient mysteries and lost knowledge.
Characters to notice
- Larry O'Keefe
Introduced as a rescued aviator; shares his Irish-American background and mystical experiences.
- Dr. Walter T. Goodwin
Narrator; interacts with O'Keefe and monitors Huldricksson's recovery.
- Olaf Huldricksson
Recovering from drugged sleep; his condition is observed by Goodwin.
- Da Costa
Captain of the Suwarna; shows fear when Nan-Matal is mentioned.
Key passages
“Pressing back the questions I longed to ask, I introduced myself. Oddly enough, I found that he knew me, or rather my work.”
Goodwin suppresses his curiosity to introduce himself, and discovers O'Keefe is familiar with his book.
Shows O'Keefe's unexpected knowledge of Goodwin's work.
“An' twice have I heard the banshee calling—once it was when my younger brother died an' once when my father lay waiting to be carried out on the ebb tide.”
O'Keefe recounts hearing the banshee before the deaths of his brother and father.
Highlights O'Keefe's connection to Irish supernatural traditions.
