Three innocent girls endure the deprivations of Ireland’s infamous Magdalen Laundries in “this tenderhearted story of sinners, saints, and redemption” (Booklist). Dublin, 1962. Within the gated ground of The Sisters of the Holy Redemption lies one of the asylums known as the Magdalen Laundries. Once places of refuge, the laundries have evolved into grim workhouses. Some inmates are “fallen” … workhouses. Some inmates are “fallen” women—unwed mothers, prostitutes, or petty criminals. Most are ordinary girls whose only sin lies in being too pretty, independent, or tempting the wrong man. Among them is sixteen-year-old Teagan Tiernan, sent by her family when her beauty provokes a lustful revelation from a young priest.
Teagan soon befriends Nora Craven, a new arrival who thought nothing could be worse than living in a squalid tenement flat. Stripped of their freedom and dignity, the girls are given new names and denied contact with the outside world. The Mother Superior, Sister Anne, who has secrets of her own, inflicts cruel punishments in the name of love. Finally, Nora and Teagan find an ally in the reclusive Lea, who helps them endure—and plot an escape. But as they will discover, the outside world has dangers too, especially for young women with soiled reputations.
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A haunting novel that takes the reader into the cruel world of Ireland’s Magdalene laundries and shines a light on yet another notorious institution that somehow survived into the late twentieth century. A real page-turner!
I could not pu it down. It is a historical fiction and its hard to imagine that things like this happened
This book was so good I couldn’t put it down – I wished it had a sequel!
Historical fiction about something I had never heard about. Very interesting and unusual story line.
This historical dramatization of three girls thrown in this institution with no hope of freedom suffering at the hand of others, find temporary solace. Some twists.
A fictional account of a convent where young Irish women were sent to repent for their sins of being rebellious, sexually active or orphans, this is a compelling story of a sordid chapter in Ireland’s history. “Fallen women” were deemed “penitents” and used as slaves in the Magdalene laundries, which existed until 1996. In recent years, the Irish government has acknowledged their complicity in this system of forced labor and awarded compensation to the survivors, some of whom still live in the convents where they were sent. The story is compelling, and Alexander does an excellent job of taking us into the grisly reality of the daily lives of the “Magdalene Girls,” who were kept in a state of physical and emotional confinement. With no division between Church and State, would-be escapees were returned to the convent by the local (police) Guard, and many resigned themselves to captivity. With well-developed characters and a fast-paced story line, The Magdalen Girls is a fascinating look at life in Dublin in the 1960’s that will leave you wanting to know more information about this history.
Exceptional story. Read it a few years ago and still remember it.
This book takes place in Dublin, 1962. Within the gated grounds of the convent of The Sisters of the Holy Redemption lies one of the city’s Magdalen Laundries. Once places of refuge, the laundries have evolved into grim workhouses.
Stripped of their freedom and dignity, the girls are given new names and denied contact with the outside world. The Mother Superior, Sister Anne, who has secrets of her own, inflicts cruel, dehumanizing punishments—but always in the name of love.
I had heard of the Magdalen Laundries through my mother-in-law, who has family in Ireland. The story revolves around three of the girls who are ‘penitents’ there. It describes their reasons for being there (some unjust), their day-to-day living conditions , and their attempts at escape. I couldn’t put this book down.
This was a story based on the laundries in a convent in Ireland. The Magdalin Girls were sent to the convent as punishment for either being too pretty, unwanted, or for a crime. The main characters were very likeable and the story resounds of the Catholic Church and societies thinking back in the 1960’s. I am always amazed at how times have changed and fo the better.
Awful. Such a shame. An interesting storyline told in the worst way.
I wanted it to be better.
An excellent view of a horrible piece of History. It was well written and emotive.
Unbelievable story great characters. You feel like you are apart of their lives . Inspirational story of courage in a horrific life imprisoned in s covent against their will. Will never forget their story based on many womans real life!
cannot imagine what life must have been during the 50’s and 60’s for poor unfortunate girls who ‘got themselves in the family way’ what a tragedy…had nun issues myself growing up, so I can relate
So sad that these girls were so mistreated.
Very informative. One of my top 10 all time books, like Hawaii and Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. Loved it.
I enjoyed reading this. I had not known about the Magdalen girls. Love history!
D. Miller