Scan barcode
gemmaclark14's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
5.0
An essential history. The victims of these awful institutions deserve to be remembered
gordin's review against another edition
4.0
A very important book to understand Ireland. Not a pleasure to read, but it shouldn't be. Maybe a little torn between human stories and a analytical examination of a complex system. An excellent work nonetheless.
ainepalmtree's review against another edition
I admire this book greatly not just for the importance of its content, but also for the skilful, compassionate and intelligent way Hogan weaves together so many tales and memories of tragedy and abuse. While she never falls into the trap of casting villains in her story, she nevertheless doesn't shy away from pointing to how individual actors became complicit in larger systems of institutional abuse. The book thoughtfully foregrounds individual and cultural memory, and I am impressed by how Hogan collected so many disparate accounts and sensitively formed them into a cohesive narrative.
samjunipero's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely infuriating and heartbreaking. I will be thinking about this for a long time.
alena7's review against another edition
5.0
A devastating look into the history of the Catholic Church and its control of women & children in Ireland. As balanced a view as there can be on this topic, that highlights the repetitive refusals and silencing the Catholic Church hierarchy commits. Multiple religious figures in this story comment that the media and public have made up their minds on the truth. But they repeatedly refuse to cooperate with anyone, Caelainn Hogan or others. Hopefully, this book and the increased interest in history will continue to reveal more and bring their stories to justice.
eib_21's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, and Abandonment