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serendipitysbooks's review
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Factory Girls is set in Northern Ireland in the summer of 1994. Maeve has just finished high school and is awaiting her exam results before starting university - hopefully studying journalism in London and leaving the small town she’s desperate to escape. Over the summer she and friends Aiofe and Caroline take jobs in the local shirt factory, with Maeve and Caroline also moving into a flat just across the road from the factory.
This was a fantastic coming of age story which highlighted many social issues. The Troubles obviously featured prominently, highlighting how deeply embedded the suspicion and dislike of those of a different faith was. The factory was unusual in having Protestants and Catholics working side by side, but they did not interact outside of work and kept to their own as much as possible during working hours. The realities of growing up amidst sectarian violence was really effectively portrayed, depriving children of a childhood. But there was much more going on in this book than The Troubles. Andy Strawbridge, the factory boss whom Maeve is attracted almost against her will, sexually abuses some of his female workers and also misuses government subsidies, ripping off his workforce financially. The role of the IRA in permitting this, and the sanctions they placed on Maeve for daring to stand up against these abuses highlighted aspects of their operations which I don’t think I knew about previously. This book also touched on class difference, particularly with the contrast between Aiofe and her family with that of Maeve and Caroline’s families. This book also made me think about the weight placed on exam results and the fairness of a system which prioritises them as a tool for determining university placements.
Maeve was such a fabulous character - strong, determined and intelligent. She was quick to recognise injustices and hypocrisies and had little tolerance for either. Fidelma was another fabulous character. Her method of exacting revenge on Stawbridge and extracting reparations for his unpaid workforce was perfection.
There was definitely humour in this book but also a lot of depth, more so than the cover would indicate.
This was a fantastic coming of age story which highlighted many social issues. The Troubles obviously featured prominently, highlighting how deeply embedded the suspicion and dislike of those of a different faith was. The factory was unusual in having Protestants and Catholics working side by side, but they did not interact outside of work and kept to their own as much as possible during working hours. The realities of growing up amidst sectarian violence was really effectively portrayed, depriving children of a childhood. But there was much more going on in this book than The Troubles. Andy Strawbridge, the factory boss whom Maeve is attracted almost against her will, sexually abuses some of his female workers and also misuses government subsidies, ripping off his workforce financially. The role of the IRA in permitting this, and the sanctions they placed on Maeve for daring to stand up against these abuses highlighted aspects of their operations which I don’t think I knew about previously. This book also touched on class difference, particularly with the contrast between Aiofe and her family with that of Maeve and Caroline’s families. This book also made me think about the weight placed on exam results and the fairness of a system which prioritises them as a tool for determining university placements.
Maeve was such a fabulous character - strong, determined and intelligent. She was quick to recognise injustices and hypocrisies and had little tolerance for either. Fidelma was another fabulous character. Her method of exacting revenge on Stawbridge and extracting reparations for his unpaid workforce was perfection.
There was definitely humour in this book but also a lot of depth, more so than the cover would indicate.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Classism, Death, and Grief
rowanhill's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book about three young women living in Northern Ireland during The Troubles is an intriguing glance at this period, but does not quite reach its full potential. As main character Maeve and her friends Caroline and Aiofe await their exam results, the complexity of their lives unfold and it is clear that much more than a test will determine their future. Though the concept of this story is interesting and hits right in the 90’s nostalgia, I felt like something was kind of off about the characters that made it difficult to really get invested in the story. However, it is still an enjoyable read for anyone interested in learning about life during The Troubles.
Maeve Murray is determined to escape her small, Northern Irish town and the memory of her dead sister to study journalism in London. The only thing standing between her and freedom are her exam results. Looking to busy themselves while waiting for their scores, Maeve and her friends Caroline and Aiofe get jobs at the shirt factory. Run by the skeezy Englishman Andy Strawbridge and employing both Catholic and Protestant workers, the factory presents an entirely new kind of challenge for Maeve and her friends. As The Troubles rock the girls’ small world and more about their lives is revealed, it becomes clear that the future hangs on much more than a test.
The fact that this story was set in Northern Ireland during The Troubles made me really excited to dig in. It is not a period I know much about and was excited to be thrown into such an interesting time and place. This book definitely draws you in and cleverly utilizes characters with very different home lives to give a robust illustration of life in this small town. The trio of young women at the story’s center are uniquely complex and it is satisfying to understand each more and more as the story progresses. Gallen does a great job balancing this character development with the greater conflict and tensions that are constantly threatening to reshape her characters’ lives.
Despite all of its strength, this book didn’t quite meet my expectations going in. However, it is hard to pinpoint exactly what wasn’t quite working for me. I guess I never really felt the chemistry between any of the characters. Though it is clear that Maeve, Caroline, and Aiofe are close, I never really got a sense of true chemistry between them. Honestly, all the characters didn’t quite seem to gel together even though each one was enjoyable on their own. Things improve as the book continues, but it took a while for me to feel any connection to the characters and story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Alcohol
Minor: Classism, Death, Suicide, and Religious bigotry
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