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sharonleavy's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
5.0
My final review for 2022 is Bessborough by Deirdre Finnerty.
This is non-fiction, and collects the stories of three women affected by their time at the Bessborough institution, or 'Mother and Baby Home' as it was called.
Joan, Terri, and Deirdre all have different stories, with different outcomes, but all three experiences began the same way - with a young woman finding out she was pregnant at a time when nothing caused more scandal in Holy Catholic Ireland than the notion of an unwed mother. Women were sent to these institutions, stripped of their identities, given false names, and put to work until they gave birth. In the majority of circumstances, the babies were taken away and adopted to families without the knowledge or consent of the mothers, who would then be sent back out into society with the shame and stigma of being 'one of those girls' hanging over them. They grieved for their children in silence, many still doing so.
This isn't the past - it's a very recent part of history that still affects thousands of people in Ireland (and further afield) today. Thanks to the tireless work of people like Catherine Corless, Dee Finnerty, Caelainn Hogan and others, we are slowly gathering more and more accounts from the women and children involved in one of the worst scandals this country has ever seen - one not only condoned by, but funded by, the State and the Catholic Church.
Consider this: 1998. Titanic was one of the biggest movies of the year (and of all time). 'The Boy is Mine' by Brandy & Monica spent 13 weeks at Number One in the U.S. Britney Spears released her debut single, Sex and the City first aired on HBO, and Geri left the Spice Girls in a shock decision that happened in the middle of a World tour. The
last single expectant woman was admitted to Bessborough in November of that year, one of 37 admissions in 1998. This isn't the past.
I know that stuff like this doesn't make for easy reading, especially if you or someone you know/love have been affected by the injustices done to these women and children. But we shouldn't turn a blind eye - that's how they got away with it in the first place.
Read it, share it, spread it.
#bessborough
This is non-fiction, and collects the stories of three women affected by their time at the Bessborough institution, or 'Mother and Baby Home' as it was called.
Joan, Terri, and Deirdre all have different stories, with different outcomes, but all three experiences began the same way - with a young woman finding out she was pregnant at a time when nothing caused more scandal in Holy Catholic Ireland than the notion of an unwed mother. Women were sent to these institutions, stripped of their identities, given false names, and put to work until they gave birth. In the majority of circumstances, the babies were taken away and adopted to families without the knowledge or consent of the mothers, who would then be sent back out into society with the shame and stigma of being 'one of those girls' hanging over them. They grieved for their children in silence, many still doing so.
This isn't the past - it's a very recent part of history that still affects thousands of people in Ireland (and further afield) today. Thanks to the tireless work of people like Catherine Corless, Dee Finnerty, Caelainn Hogan and others, we are slowly gathering more and more accounts from the women and children involved in one of the worst scandals this country has ever seen - one not only condoned by, but funded by, the State and the Catholic Church.
Consider this: 1998. Titanic was one of the biggest movies of the year (and of all time). 'The Boy is Mine' by Brandy & Monica spent 13 weeks at Number One in the U.S. Britney Spears released her debut single, Sex and the City first aired on HBO, and Geri left the Spice Girls in a shock decision that happened in the middle of a World tour. The
last single expectant woman was admitted to Bessborough in November of that year, one of 37 admissions in 1998. This isn't the past.
I know that stuff like this doesn't make for easy reading, especially if you or someone you know/love have been affected by the injustices done to these women and children. But we shouldn't turn a blind eye - that's how they got away with it in the first place.
Read it, share it, spread it.
#bessborough
annemariewhelehan's review
5.0
My first @tiredmammybookclub read and it was such a treat with author Dee Finnerty joining us. The content is some socking stories based on mother and baby homes in Ireland. It is easy to relate too. Paperback out next year. It needs an audiobook to make it more accessible @hachetteireland
lianne_rooney's review
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, and Confinement
Moderate: Mental illness, Medical trauma, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, and Grief
samsweebooknook's review
5.0
Bessborough is the story of one of Ireland's largest mother and baby institutions, more specifically sharing the accounts of three women who were confined there in the 60s, 70s and 80s.
As a bit of background for anyone in the UK or further afield who isn't aware of the scandal surrounding the mother and baby homes here in Ireland, these institutions were predominantly run through church orders and funded by the Irish government. Unmarried mothers, who were seen to be committing a great sin by having a child out of wedlock, were sent here in shame to give birth to babies who they were not allowed to keep, often being adopted out against the mothers wishes. Babies who were seen as unadoptable (due to race or disabilities) didn't tend to thrive and the mortality rate was devastatingly high.
The experiences shared in this book are devastating and it's hard to believe that this all occured in such recent history - Bessborough was operational until 1998. While the majority of us have heard tales of what happened in institutions like this, this book gives a vivid and more personal look at not only what they experienced while there, but how it affected their lives after they left.
I'm not sure I can say much more than has already been said in various reviews so I find myself echoing others - this should be mandatory reading. What a powerful and important book, giving a voice to those who have been silenced for so many years, and whose stories must not be forgotten.
I bought this not long after it was released but didn't read it as I wasn't sure if it would be too heavy a read. My only regret is not having picked it up sooner. Yes it's harrowing and upsetting but it's handled sensitively and compassionately. Infact I could barely put it down.
I have so much admiration for Deirdre for providing a platform for these stories to be told, and to the amazing women who were brave enough to come forward and share their truth. A moving and powerful read that will sit with me for a long time.
As a bit of background for anyone in the UK or further afield who isn't aware of the scandal surrounding the mother and baby homes here in Ireland, these institutions were predominantly run through church orders and funded by the Irish government. Unmarried mothers, who were seen to be committing a great sin by having a child out of wedlock, were sent here in shame to give birth to babies who they were not allowed to keep, often being adopted out against the mothers wishes. Babies who were seen as unadoptable (due to race or disabilities) didn't tend to thrive and the mortality rate was devastatingly high.
The experiences shared in this book are devastating and it's hard to believe that this all occured in such recent history - Bessborough was operational until 1998. While the majority of us have heard tales of what happened in institutions like this, this book gives a vivid and more personal look at not only what they experienced while there, but how it affected their lives after they left.
I'm not sure I can say much more than has already been said in various reviews so I find myself echoing others - this should be mandatory reading. What a powerful and important book, giving a voice to those who have been silenced for so many years, and whose stories must not be forgotten.
I bought this not long after it was released but didn't read it as I wasn't sure if it would be too heavy a read. My only regret is not having picked it up sooner. Yes it's harrowing and upsetting but it's handled sensitively and compassionately. Infact I could barely put it down.
I have so much admiration for Deirdre for providing a platform for these stories to be told, and to the amazing women who were brave enough to come forward and share their truth. A moving and powerful read that will sit with me for a long time.