Sins of the Mother
Irene Kelley
Non-fiction / Ireland / Child Abuse / Memoire/ Mental Health
320 Pages
Irene Kelley was born into poverty in Ireland, the middle child of at least 6 children (I didn't catch if there were more younger children born at any point) to an absent father and an mentallyill abusive mother. The only thing worse than her home life was being sent to the Catholic Orphanage, St Grace. The horror of these establishements (not only St Grace but many others) has slowly come to light as survivors have spoken out. Unfortunatly these large group homes where the perfect place for predators. Who would believe that those who have devoted their lives to God are beating and raping children? It was not only men perpatrating the abuse either but women - nuns in fact. And the victims were children that no one wanted, who had no one to turn to. The "troubled" children in particular who are already branned theives, liars and worse. This is Irene's story, intertwined with that of her husband Matt and her daughter Jennifer, speaking of both the past and present. The family's attempt to deal with the lingering effects, to understand and come to terms with it all.
It has been a while since I picked up one of these kinds books, they are such hard reads emotionally and mentally. These survivors have published their nightmares for a reason, and if it tough to read I can't imgine how hard it was to write. It is not the first time I have read of the incredible poverty in Ireland, of the extremely large family's where there was often neglect at minimum and abuse emotional, sexual or physical perparated by someone inside or close to the family. This is also not my first novel about establishment abuse within the church. This is not a read for everyone, its heartbreaking and horrible. But these people have put pen to paper for a reason and I would recommend it to people who enjoy this kind of thing.
My review of two similar novels, and the link to Cathy Glass's Goodreads profile
Devils Child , Jerry Coyne
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