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Sweyn's Eye Saga #2
Proud Mary
The author returns to the turn-of-the-century South Wales village to recount the story of Mary Jenkins, whose aspirations for a better life are shattered when her sweetheart is arrested for manslaughter
Hardcover
Published January 1, 1985
About the author
Iris Gower
55 books23 followersIris Gower (b. 1935) was a Swansea-based novelist. Her historical romances are all set within Swansea and Gower in South Wales.
Iris (real name Iris Davies) was born in Mumbles and lived in Derwen Fawr, a part of Sketty, Swansea. She had four adult children, though her husband of 48 years, Tudor Davies, died on 15 April 2002 after suffering a major stroke. She later lived with a partner, Peter.
She was one of the top-selling authors in the country, and was awarded an MA in Creative Writing by Cardiff University, as well as an Honorary Fellowship at the University of Wales, Swansea. She wrote and published around 40 books including 26 novels.
Gower died at Singleton Hospital, Swansea on 20 July, 2010. She was 75 years old.
Iris (real name Iris Davies) was born in Mumbles and lived in Derwen Fawr, a part of Sketty, Swansea. She had four adult children, though her husband of 48 years, Tudor Davies, died on 15 April 2002 after suffering a major stroke. She later lived with a partner, Peter.
She was one of the top-selling authors in the country, and was awarded an MA in Creative Writing by Cardiff University, as well as an Honorary Fellowship at the University of Wales, Swansea. She wrote and published around 40 books including 26 novels.
Gower died at Singleton Hospital, Swansea on 20 July, 2010. She was 75 years old.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 26, 2026
Proud Mary left me more confused than moved.
The story begins with what seems like an emotionally compelling premise a boyfriend accused of a serious crime, leaving Mary devastated and forcing her to confront a painful reality. I expected the novel to explore their relationship, the emotional aftermath, and Mary's journey of healing. Instead, the plot takes a sharp turn, introducing another man who abuses and manipulates her, only for Mary to eventually fall in love with him.
That is where the story lost me.
For a book titled Proud Mary, I kept waiting to see Mary's strength, dignity, and self-worth take center stage. Ironically, the only moment that truly reflected pride was when she insisted on repaying a friend who had lent her money. Beyond that, Mary spends much of the novel being used, hurt, and emotionally pulled from one relationship to another, only to return to her abuser and declare her love. I found that ending deeply unsettling rather than satisfying.
The emotional connection between Mary and her original boyfriend also felt surprisingly fragile. Their relationship, which initially seemed to be the heart of the story, dissolves so quickly that it left me wondering what the novel was really trying to say.
While the book may have intended to portray the complexities of trauma, survival, and imperfect choices, I struggled to connect with Mary's decisions or understand the message behind them. I finished the novel feeling disturbed rather than enlightened, and unfortunately, the title promised a journey of resilience that I never truly found.
The story begins with what seems like an emotionally compelling premise a boyfriend accused of a serious crime, leaving Mary devastated and forcing her to confront a painful reality. I expected the novel to explore their relationship, the emotional aftermath, and Mary's journey of healing. Instead, the plot takes a sharp turn, introducing another man who abuses and manipulates her, only for Mary to eventually fall in love with him.
That is where the story lost me.
For a book titled Proud Mary, I kept waiting to see Mary's strength, dignity, and self-worth take center stage. Ironically, the only moment that truly reflected pride was when she insisted on repaying a friend who had lent her money. Beyond that, Mary spends much of the novel being used, hurt, and emotionally pulled from one relationship to another, only to return to her abuser and declare her love. I found that ending deeply unsettling rather than satisfying.
The emotional connection between Mary and her original boyfriend also felt surprisingly fragile. Their relationship, which initially seemed to be the heart of the story, dissolves so quickly that it left me wondering what the novel was really trying to say.
While the book may have intended to portray the complexities of trauma, survival, and imperfect choices, I struggled to connect with Mary's decisions or understand the message behind them. I finished the novel feeling disturbed rather than enlightened, and unfortunately, the title promised a journey of resilience that I never truly found.
August 20, 2023
Great 2nd book of the series following the life of Mary through her upbringing and then becoming a business women and marries the upper class son of the Sutton family Brandon but Mary doesn’t have a smooth ride from childhood to when she marries it’s always a fight for her
Loved it and can’t wait to read book 3
Loved it and can’t wait to read book 3
September 27, 2017
very sensual but the struggle of Marry for getting a respectable life is very motivating.... Indeed shez a survivor .
September 26, 2013
always amazing reads
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews