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The Nun of Ravensbrück: The Irish Nun Who Defied the Nazis
In the cold winter of 1944, Sr Kate McCarthy - Irish nun and French Resistance leader - arrives at the gates of Ravensbrück Concentration Camp for women. She has endured four years of horrendous suffering in various prisons, still having the courage to resist the Nazi regime, a journey that began at the outbreak of World War II when she joined the resistance movement.
Her actions have saved hundreds of lives and brought her to the edge of existence. Together with her friends Sylvette and Angèle, they have survived against the odds. But nothing can prepare her for what awaits beyond the Ravensbrück gates. And soon, Kate will face her biggest test yet...
The Nun of Ravensbrück is the gripping account of a remarkable woman whose deep faith and untold courage would shine a light in the darkest of places. It is a tale of horrendous tragedies and small mercies, of the bonds of women in a world of war, and of how one nun's courage changed the course of history.
Her actions have saved hundreds of lives and brought her to the edge of existence. Together with her friends Sylvette and Angèle, they have survived against the odds. But nothing can prepare her for what awaits beyond the Ravensbrück gates. And soon, Kate will face her biggest test yet...
The Nun of Ravensbrück is the gripping account of a remarkable woman whose deep faith and untold courage would shine a light in the darkest of places. It is a tale of horrendous tragedies and small mercies, of the bonds of women in a world of war, and of how one nun's courage changed the course of history.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 4, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 13, 2026
The Nun of Ravensbrück by Cathi Fleming published June 4th with Hachette Ireland and is described as ‘a powerful debut novel based on real events, bringing to life the untold story of an extraordinary woman who lit a beacon of hope in humanity’s darkest hour.’
Being from Cork I was very surprised to learn that Sr Marie-Laurence, French Resistance fighter, was born Kate McCarthy in Drimoleague in West Cork in 1895. When she was 18 years old she took the name Marie-Laurence and nursed at a convent hospital in Béthune, north of Paris, during the First World War. She then travelled to Louisiana in America, where she worked for a number of years, before returning to Béthune in 1940 as the Nazi machine took hold.
Cathi Fleming is a retired primary school teacher and historian. After a number of years investigating the background of Irish women who were interred in the Ravensbrück Concentration Camp, she became fascinated with the story of one in particular, Kate McCarthy. In her debut biographical historical fiction novel, Cathi Fleming has paid a beautiful tribute to this most courageous of women.
Kate McCarthy arrived to France determined to assist in any way she could. As both a nurse and a nun her talents were welcomed. She had a great manner with her patients but she was soon shocked and appalled by the scenes she witnessed. When contacted by a local member of the Resistance, she was initially quite reticent but as the Nazi regime made itself known she felt she had no alternative but to step up and contribute as best she could. She was ultimately responsible for saving the lives of many but her path took a treacherous turn when the Nazis became aware of her involvement. Captured, beaten and submitted to fierce interrogation she eventually was imprisoned in the notorious Ravensbrück Concentration Camp, located north of Berlin.
Her experiences there were terrifying and Cathi Fleming paints a very shocking picture, not shying away from the barbaric treatment of all the inmates of that camp. What these women endured was horrendous, but Kate McCarthy always held onto to her belief that good would conquer all.
The Nun of Ravensbrück is the remarkable story of Sr Marie-Laurence (Kate McCarthy) and all the women, and men, who stood alongside her.
Kate McCarthy continued helping people after the war but she remained at home in Cork, assisting those locally in need. She shied away from any media attention, living an unassuming life. With this insightful debut novel, Cathi Fleming immerses the reader in the fear and stench of that appalling period of history. The women of the Ravensbrück Concentration Camp were exposed to the most inhumane acts of brutality and cruelty. Their suffering, their pain is exceptionally depicted in this extremely poignant story, highlighting their extraordinary resilience and bravery. Their ability to overcome adversity and push through the most nightmarish scenarios in such horrific circumstances is truly phenomenal. An outstanding debut, The Nun of Ravensbrück is a challenging read, but also one packed with many moments of raw courage and determination.
I visited Sr Marie-Laurence’s grave in St Finbarr’s cemetery in Cork city. Her name is etched into the base of a large cross in the Franciscan Sisters, plot. She died in her sleep in Cork in 1971. I felt a shiver up my spine as I knelt by her grave. I felt proud of this Cork woman who stood up to tyranny when the world, as she knew it, crumbled around her.
Being from Cork I was very surprised to learn that Sr Marie-Laurence, French Resistance fighter, was born Kate McCarthy in Drimoleague in West Cork in 1895. When she was 18 years old she took the name Marie-Laurence and nursed at a convent hospital in Béthune, north of Paris, during the First World War. She then travelled to Louisiana in America, where she worked for a number of years, before returning to Béthune in 1940 as the Nazi machine took hold.
Cathi Fleming is a retired primary school teacher and historian. After a number of years investigating the background of Irish women who were interred in the Ravensbrück Concentration Camp, she became fascinated with the story of one in particular, Kate McCarthy. In her debut biographical historical fiction novel, Cathi Fleming has paid a beautiful tribute to this most courageous of women.
Kate McCarthy arrived to France determined to assist in any way she could. As both a nurse and a nun her talents were welcomed. She had a great manner with her patients but she was soon shocked and appalled by the scenes she witnessed. When contacted by a local member of the Resistance, she was initially quite reticent but as the Nazi regime made itself known she felt she had no alternative but to step up and contribute as best she could. She was ultimately responsible for saving the lives of many but her path took a treacherous turn when the Nazis became aware of her involvement. Captured, beaten and submitted to fierce interrogation she eventually was imprisoned in the notorious Ravensbrück Concentration Camp, located north of Berlin.
Her experiences there were terrifying and Cathi Fleming paints a very shocking picture, not shying away from the barbaric treatment of all the inmates of that camp. What these women endured was horrendous, but Kate McCarthy always held onto to her belief that good would conquer all.
The Nun of Ravensbrück is the remarkable story of Sr Marie-Laurence (Kate McCarthy) and all the women, and men, who stood alongside her.
Kate McCarthy continued helping people after the war but she remained at home in Cork, assisting those locally in need. She shied away from any media attention, living an unassuming life. With this insightful debut novel, Cathi Fleming immerses the reader in the fear and stench of that appalling period of history. The women of the Ravensbrück Concentration Camp were exposed to the most inhumane acts of brutality and cruelty. Their suffering, their pain is exceptionally depicted in this extremely poignant story, highlighting their extraordinary resilience and bravery. Their ability to overcome adversity and push through the most nightmarish scenarios in such horrific circumstances is truly phenomenal. An outstanding debut, The Nun of Ravensbrück is a challenging read, but also one packed with many moments of raw courage and determination.
I visited Sr Marie-Laurence’s grave in St Finbarr’s cemetery in Cork city. Her name is etched into the base of a large cross in the Franciscan Sisters, plot. She died in her sleep in Cork in 1971. I felt a shiver up my spine as I knelt by her grave. I felt proud of this Cork woman who stood up to tyranny when the world, as she knew it, crumbled around her.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
April, 1940. Kate McCarthy or Sister Marie-Laurence returns from Monroe, Louisiana to Béthune, France and she’s a member of the order of the Franciscan Sisters of Calais and these nuns are nurses.
Sister Marie-Laurence meets two women, mechanic and mother Sylvette Leleu and café owner Angele Tardiveau, they along with others join the resistance and are involved in helping French and British prisoners of war, hiding them and organizing their escape. They put themselves in danger and the network gets larger, Sister Marie-Laurence is arrested, and she spends months locked in various cells, the Germans make people vanish, it creates fear and uncertainty (night and fog) and hopefully stops others from joining in acts of rebellion.
November, 1944. Sister Marie-Laurence arrives at the gates of Ravensbrück Concentration Camp, in the last four years she has been in over eight different prisons, she has been interrogated by the Gestapo, starved and beaten, and she’s suffering from oedema in her lower limbs.
In Ravensbrück the nun’s faith is tested, every day she and the others are forced to line up to be counted in the rain and snow, do manual labour, face being picked in a selection and sent to the gas chambers.
I received a copy of The Nun of Ravensbrück by Cathi Fleming from NetGalley and Hachette Books Ireland in exchange for an honest review. I’m not sure how many times Sister Marie-Laurence was asked “if there is a god why is he allowing this to happen” and I thought the same thing.
Based on a real person and a story about overcoming adversity, tyranny and the darkest of times and even when her body was failing her and she was sick Sister Marie-Laurence didn’t give up and be grateful for the sacrifices made by a remarkable woman. Five stars, despite not being an easy novel to read and I highly recommend doing so.
Sister Marie-Laurence meets two women, mechanic and mother Sylvette Leleu and café owner Angele Tardiveau, they along with others join the resistance and are involved in helping French and British prisoners of war, hiding them and organizing their escape. They put themselves in danger and the network gets larger, Sister Marie-Laurence is arrested, and she spends months locked in various cells, the Germans make people vanish, it creates fear and uncertainty (night and fog) and hopefully stops others from joining in acts of rebellion.
November, 1944. Sister Marie-Laurence arrives at the gates of Ravensbrück Concentration Camp, in the last four years she has been in over eight different prisons, she has been interrogated by the Gestapo, starved and beaten, and she’s suffering from oedema in her lower limbs.
In Ravensbrück the nun’s faith is tested, every day she and the others are forced to line up to be counted in the rain and snow, do manual labour, face being picked in a selection and sent to the gas chambers.
I received a copy of The Nun of Ravensbrück by Cathi Fleming from NetGalley and Hachette Books Ireland in exchange for an honest review. I’m not sure how many times Sister Marie-Laurence was asked “if there is a god why is he allowing this to happen” and I thought the same thing.
Based on a real person and a story about overcoming adversity, tyranny and the darkest of times and even when her body was failing her and she was sick Sister Marie-Laurence didn’t give up and be grateful for the sacrifices made by a remarkable woman. Five stars, despite not being an easy novel to read and I highly recommend doing so.
July 1, 2026
The Nun of Ravensbrück is the remarkable story of Sr Marie-Laurence (Kate McCarthy) and all the women, and men, who stood alongside her. It is well written and intriguing. Just as Marie- Laurence did the reader is forced to ask questions about faith, when the world around is so awful. This is a remarkable story of a woman's bravery and dedication. Happily it has a good ending.
Thank you very much Catherine for sharing this true story and for your vivid depiction of the experiences physically and mentally.
Thank you to netgalley and Hachette Books for the advance copy - this review is freely given.
Thank you very much Catherine for sharing this true story and for your vivid depiction of the experiences physically and mentally.
Thank you to netgalley and Hachette Books for the advance copy - this review is freely given.
July 25, 2026
100% ten stars. It was a brutal, heartbreaking read, but one I hope many, many people read. A glimpse into the horror and brutality that existed during the Nazi regime. A truly wonderful woman who was also supported by a cast of other wonderful woman.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews