The Donegal Woman: A True Story of Survival Against All Odds

by John Throne

Less than 100 years ago, a form of slavery still persisted in parts of rural Ireland—the hiring fair system. Children as young as seven or eight were sold for fixed periods by their impoverished parents to farmers who worked them to the bone, treating them as little more than cattle. And often, even worse.

The Donegal Woman is based on the true story of the author’s own grandmother, Margaret. Born to the poorest of Protestant farmers in the hills of Donegal, Margaret was hired out as a child, raped by her master, and once pregnant, forced to marry another man many times her age. But Margaret survived in a silent world of her own, driven by a passionate determination to do right by her children.

Reviving the tradition of three of Ulster’s great radical writers, Peadar O’ Donnell, Patrick MacGill, and Sam Hannah Bell, this author, with his first novel, has captured the authentic voice of a woman of extraordinary spirit. John Throne beautifully tells his grandmother’s tragic story, a story much like that of countless other Irishwomen of her time.

Margaret’s story is a powerful reflection of the struggle against oppression that women have long faced. Her resilience and strength is inspirational to all women. Women the world over can identify with Margaret and see her tale as the feminist call to action that it is.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Book Club, Ireland

310 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2008

Reviews

[MRS DOROTHY DOUGAN · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was based on the authors grandmother. It is a sad, thought provoking tale of slavery, abuse, starvation and hardship. It should be compulsory reading in all schools in Ireland (North and South) . People now don't know what hardship is. They should read this book and be thankful for the lives they are living now. I could not put it down once I got into it. A real page turner, and an amazing story.

[Katie.dorny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on a true story about the author’s own grandmother; this saga takes us into rural early 20th century Ireland and the harsh reality of life under the hiring out system alongside the ramifications this had for our heroine Margaret.

I had never heard of the hiring out system until my dad put this book in my hands and encouraged me to give it a go. This system was put in place for poor families to ‘hire out’ their children to wealthier households and farmers for set months and wages.

Margaret goes through the ringer here and every chapter just beats you down more and more. You think you’re going to get a happy ending or individuals will get their comeuppance; but nope. This one really does bring to life the reality of being a young woman in that time.

[Marlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's hard to say I enjoyed this book, because of the sadness and unfairness of the main character's life. Margaret is based on the author's grandmother's life in Ireland. It has a few touching moments but for the most part it is a cruel and brutal life. It has a very sad ending. But as you are reading this book you know there is no other way it could end for Margaret. This book gives you a clear picture of this time period and how the people of the different classes and religions were treated.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written and heart breaking novel based on the author's grandmother

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very, very thought provoking. I couldn't put it down.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trigger warnings - rape, abuse.

Based on the life of the author's grandmother, this fictionalized biographical novel is brutal, dark, and horrible. Donegal in the early 1900s was not a good place to live--Margaret's life isn't valued higher than a pig's. She is hired out to a farming couple at age 12 and forced to live in a barn and work all day while getting raped at night. Things don't improve much when she marries at 14 to a brute of a man. I hated reading about her abuse, but I had to know how the book ended. The writing isn't great--sentences are very short and ideas seem to repeat themselves--at least 50 pages could have been edited to slim things down without hurting anything.

It's sad to think that people were living in these conditions during World War I in Ireland--they seem stuck in the middle ages.

[Billy · Rating 5 out of 5]

a brutal book that makes me cry on every reread, i was given this by my Irish grandmother to show me what it had been like generations ago and it definitely opened my eyes.
the ending was heartbreaking but also made a lot of sense, especially since it is based on a true story - I’d recommend this book (after checking the content warnings that apply).

[George S. Deptula · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful description of life and society in an isolated part of Ireland in the early 20th century. The writing style is a bit too repetitive, but the story is so compelling that it makes the reading worthwhile. A great historical work.

[Jacqueline Sonuvar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book

This was so easy to read. It is such a sad story. It made me feel how lucky I am and how others suffer.

I learnt things from this book and it kept me thinking about it when I wasn't reading it.

[Roisin Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shocking

This book is a shocking reflection of Irish life in the early 1900's. To think that it is a true story is mind boggling.

[Nicola · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is my absolute favourite story of all time . I fell in love with the character Margaret. It is the ONLY book I have ever kept and read again and again.

[Helena]

Brilliant book, hard to put down, tearful moments

[Nicola Kearns · Rating 5 out of 5]

My second time reading. One of my most favourite books.

[Wainepat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew the writer John Throne and had huge respect for him. After reading the book for a second time I respect him even more and understand where his radical views have come from

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was given to me by my mother, she read it many years ago and it had always stuck with her. I also know it will stick with me for the rest of my life. An absolutely heartbreaking but educational story - extremely well written. An Irish person this book means a lot to me! The reviews stating the writing is in short sentences and repetitive, I personally think that is intentional, to represent the repetitive nature of people’s lives at the time and the lack of education/variety in life. Being based in Donegal, I also know that that is the way people from that area speak, making it even more authentic to the true nature of the story.

[Ruth Hultman Desmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liked this so much better than Snow Falling on Cedars. It's a true story of the authors grandmother growing up in Ireland. I won't give much more of the story line away but it's a must read.

[Sam · Rating 1 out of 5]

Uttershite. A terribly-written book that trades on its pseudo-biographical marketing. It's terrible. Not even entertainingly so. Less 50 Shades of Grey, more 50 Strains of Ebola. Spare yourself.

[Bridgeen · Rating 2 out of 5]

very difficult book, didn't enjoy it at all.