- Paperback: 224 pages
- Publisher: Greystone Books (Feb 9 2006)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1553651685
- ISBN-13: 978-1553651680
- Product Dimensions: 22.4 x 15.5 x 1.5 cm
- Shipping Weight: 318 g
- Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #450,399 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
Book Description
The Magdalen laundries were first thrust into public consciousness with Peter Mullan’s acclaimed film, The Magdalene Sisters (2002). Girls considered promiscuous or “at risk” were incarcerated in these notorious workhouses that operated in Ireland throughout the twentieth century. Kathy O’Beirne was one of these girls.
After suffering a childhood of abuse at the hands of her father and older boys at school, Kathy became withdrawn and self-destructive. She was taken from her family when she was only eight and locked up in a Catholic reformatory school. At twelve, she was sent to a Magdalen laundry. There, alongside other “troubled” girls, she slaved under horrendous conditions and suffered frequent physical abuse by staff. Like many of her fellow Maggies, as the girls were known, Kathy was raped by a lay visitor, and she gave birth to baby Annie shortly before her fourteenth birthday.
Now in her forties, Kathy O’Beirne recounts her horrific story in unflinching detail. Through her dark tale, the strength of her character shines through. It’s this strength that has enabled her to survive, led her to champion a campaign to help other victims of institutional abuse, and driven her continuing struggle for justice.
About the Author
KATHY O’BEIRNE has led the campaign for justice for Magdalen girls in Ireland since the early 1990s. This is her first book. She lives in Dublin.
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
I am now in my 40s. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
I am now in my 40s. Read the first page
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Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Disturbing,
This review is from: Kathys Story (Paperback)
Whether you believe all or parts of this story due to all the negative press, the story is disturbing. It is factual that many children were abused by the system in those years. A disturbing story and at times difficult to read.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
2.3 out of 5 stars (7 customer reviews) 3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars
Worst of the misery lit genre,
By Elizabeth G. Melillo "gloriana" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Kathys Story (Paperback)
I'm not suggesting that the current fad for 'misery lit' has not led to the production of other works that are no better, but "Kathy's Story" definitely is in the 'worst of the lot' category. As one may find from accounts in various prominent UK newspapers, Kathy's Story is a hash of unrelated incidents that make for a fictional horror story bearing little relation to the author's own life.What I find most tragic in this is that there is ample evidence of the genuine horror stories many experienced in such institutions as the Magdalene laundries, and an inaccurate tale of endless victim-hood, spun from borrowing elements of others' experiences and mixing them into an incoherent whole, takes away from what others actually suffered. It seems a tactic to get endless personal attention as the winner of a whinge contest (no wonder Kathy reports she was much younger than any other resident in the first institution, for example - since no one would have been there at the age of 8), clouding the horrid and truthful reality others have reported in a search for justice. 4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars
Sucks,
By Linda Tindell "LT" - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Kathys Story (Paperback)
After reading several chapters, I looked up the author only to discover she had been discredited by her family and facts surrounding her life. I can't believe this book is still selling. From what I can tell, it is still discredited. I stopped reading it. I feel duped.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars
Shouldn't be read,
By K. Graham - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Kathys Story (Paperback)
I'm surprised that Amazon is still offering this book. The story has been debunked by many different sources including her own family. The story is made up by what appears to be a disturbed individual seeking attention. It shouldn't be offered by a reputable book seller.
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