The theme of this compelling novel is the now-historical institution of the ‘mother and baby home’. The successor to workhouses, these homes for poor unmarried mothers in Britain and Ireland from the 1950s to the 70s were often run by religious organisations and have only recently been exposed as abusive and in some cases murderous. Emily Gunnis has admirably based a work of fiction upon this emotive and shocking subject.
The story switches between different times and following different characters. However, the main protagonist is Sam Harper, a 25-year-old journalist and single mother who is determined to investigate a former maternity home which is about to be demolished. A personal connection to her family, some unexplained deaths and a mystery involving a retired chat show host fuel her pursuit of the truth. I thought the plot was a little over-complicated but I just about managed to keep up.
This is the kind of book that stays with you forever. It’s almost too heartbreaking to read but I thought it was very well written and highlighted a subject which should be out in the open.
First published in 2018.
I thought this was a good one too.
I had seen it on other blogs and so I was more interested to try it 🙂
This is a brilliant review! I don’t know much about the subject, but you’ve convinced me to read this! x
Wow, OK – I think you might enjoy reading it. Thanks 🙂
Fab review!
Thank you! 🙂
Lovely review. I have never heard of this book before, but it definitely sounds interesting!
Thank you! I had heard of it through other bloggers and then I found it cheap, so I had a go!
Excellent review. I’m not very familiar with mother and baby homes, and this sound like a painful but necessary story.
Thank you! I like fiction in which I learn something too. It wasn’t always pleasant to read but I was very impressed with the writing and research the author put in.
Awwww!!! I WANNA READ IT NOWWW!! 😍😍😭😭😭 And I didnt even know about this one before SO THANK YOUUU FOR REVIEWING IT Ford!! I AM GONNA ADD IT TO MY TBR NOWWW!!! 😍😍😍❤️❤️❤️
Glad you liked my review ♥:)
OF COURSE I DID! I ALWAYS DOOO!!! 😘😘😘 Granted I may get a bit behind on catching up with some of the poss but I ALWAYS ENJOY READING YOUR WRITING AND LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR POSTS! 😍😍😍😍😘😘😘💕💕🌟🌟🌟💎💎💎
Aw thank you, you’re so kind :)♥