The Magdalen Laundries: a novel based on true events

by Lisa Michelle Odgaard

Imagine being forced out of the security of your home and put to work in a convent laundry. Kept under lock and key, you now spend your days hunched over a washbasin filled with hot, dirty water for twelve full hours. The nuns in charge use brushes, belts, threats and insults to keep you in line. You are made to repeat "Our Fathers" and "Hail Marys" endlessly, the murmur of your voice and those of a hundred other young women adding to the monotony of your tedious, exhausting workday. Now, imagine that you are only sixteen years old. This nightmare was daily endured by many of Ireland's teenage girls in the "penitent women's laundries." Society's so-called "wayward teens" were removed from their homes and put to work in the laundries, forced by priests and nuns to symbolically cleanse themselves of their sins. These unfortunate women were known as the "Magdalens," after Mary Magdalene, and their story is a chapter in Ireland's history that many would be happy to close. The Magdalen Laundries is the story of two girls living through just such an ordeal, cut off from their families and the world: Maren, wrongfully accused of fornication and struggling to maintain a faith in God under these trying circumstances, and Ceara, pregnant by rape but sustained by her belief in Christ and a loving God. It is the story of a journey that shows the loving grace and forgiveness possible through Christ even during the most painful and difficult of trials.

Genres: Historical Fiction

232 pages, Paperback

Published June 3, 2017

Reviews

[Shellheart75 · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoyed the book and read it quickly, I was expecting a history lesson not a bible lesson. It was off putting for me.

[Eirwen Abberley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ignoring the pro-religion aspect and that it’s not very well written, I’m glad I read this - it’s a very sad and shocking narrative about the Catholic Magdalen Laundries in Ireland that abused and terrorised ‘fallen’ young women in the 18-20th centuries.

[Wildy Perryman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh

This book is meant for Christian teens. Doesn’t have much historical content. Very disappointed. I fast forwarded through all of the God content. Wish I could get my $ back (which I never say about books). Yuck.

[Jena Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you began reading this book without seeing the cover or knowing what it was about, you would guess that you were reading a future dystopian fantasy about a horrific, oppressive torture prison. However, you are not reading fantasy, you are reading a novel based on a true story. It doesn’t take place in the future, instead the sad pitiful events took place in Ireland, and other English-speaking countries, including America, for over 100 years.

“There is hope in Christ, not despair.”

Author Ogaard’s story is set in 1961 at High Park Convent near Dublin. Young and pretty, Maren grows up on her family farm, loved and cherished. Maren begins to awaken to feelings of love, when a hired farm hand catches her eye. Her innocent feelings lead her parish priest to commit her, without her family’s knowledge, to what were called the Magdalen Laundries. These laundries were ostensibly places for “fallen” girls and women to redeem themselves. But too many ended as victims of a system of torture and deprivation.

At times slow-moving at the beginning, most of the book is compelling and engrossing. Maren and her best friend at the laundry are described with love and compassion by Author Osgood. While not sugar-coating or endorsing the practices at the laundry, the author also extends this same understanding to the Catholic Church. The story features a heartfelt affirmation of the Gospel message.

While, many elements of this book are difficult to read about, overall there is a message of hope. I am grateful to the Author for opening my eyes to the Laundries and the plights of the young girls. In the afterward of the book, the Author presents more information about the Laundries and encourages readers to research more on the internet. I did look up some information about the history.

“She felt a joy in her heart and knew that her journey to find peace had ended here, In Glasvenin cemetery.”

[Maria Rupert · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this is more of a YA book, but found it interesting. Very heavy on the catechism.

[Susan Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read other books regarding the Magdalen Laundries but do not remember any of them touching me the way this one did. It is always hard for me to comprehend man's inhumanity to man; this book is filled with those actions.
The main characters in the book are Maren and Ceara. Maren is whisked away from her family and placed in the institution whereas Ceara is placed there by her parents. The girls become close friends as they suffer horrible conditions while "atoning" for their sins which neither are guilty of. The main adversary is Sister Liedan who issues punishments that would be classified as extreme child abuse.
While Maren doubts that a loving God would ever allow the situations they encounter to be allowed, Ceara maintains God's peace throughout her endeavors. Ceara is convinced God has put her in her position for a reason but is not exactly sure what that reason might be. Maren doesn't understand how Ceara can feel this way. It becomes clear in the end.
Unfortunately, the book is based on true events which makes it heartbreaking. These Irish institutions started in the 1800s and continued until the 2000s. Since it was one of Ireland's "secrets" there was little done to protect girls/women who were placed there for anything from being too pretty (would lure men) to becoming pregnant (even if by being raped). Thank God they no longer exist and at least no one else will suffer these horrors by the hands of Nuns who somehow believed they are doing His work.
I do not recommend this book to the young or anyone who might be truly disturbed by its contents.

[V · Rating 1 out of 5]

Enjoyable...if you're religious and naïve

This story started out interesting (I was intrigued by the sample and purchased to keep reading), and I'd been consuming biographies on the subject and wanted to keep the ball rolling but ended up angry and disappointed by this.

By the time I'd reached the middle of the book I felt like I was being converted (I'm a non-practicing Catholic who went to convent school) and preached at. The ending was supremely out of touch and tone deaf, I almost threw my phone across the room. This novel does nothing to bring awareness to the true horrors of the Magdalen Laundries, it minimises the suffering of its victims and survivors, glosses over cold facts and prioritises an infuriatingly juvenile understanding of the bible and the forgiveness of abusers instead of the push for accountability.

It's also written for a much younger audience than the subject it's about, which is troubling since I'm not sure that giving teens the idea that forgiving abuse because religion demands it is all that sensible.

[barbara stanisz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book that I have read about the abuses of the Catholic Church. This book is sad and reveals just how wrong an institution can go when it is given too much power. these girls were treated horrifically the church used and abused them, sold their children, and essentially made them slaves. This story is not as compelling as Philomena, but still tells an essential truth about the Church as well as the times. A worthwhile read.

[Peter Dyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

took me a long time to get through this book. I hate to read about how the church takes advantage and abuses people, which is what happens in the laundry to young women.
Deep down I also think this is a very religious book. (to me The Shack is much better if I want to read a book about finding god)

[mois reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magdalens

It's hard to believe these woman and young girls were treated like this just for being pretty or even for talking to boys to think priests and nuns could treat human beings like this and not that long ago either . I can't understand how these evil people are not in prison where they deserve to be. 5 STARS.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

May we never forget...!

This book is very well written. A powerful gripping read that kept me up till the wee hours of the morning. With shocking details of the abuse these girls received due to ignorance and false pride, my heart ached for them and I will never forget Ireland's Maggie's. God bless each one.

[Catherine Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shocking. A horrid truth, The Magdalen laundries.

I truly dislike the end if the book as forgiveness is too easy. Those nuns were murderers of women and children. That nun should have gone to jail, together with her collegues. Religion sucks. I was raised by nuns in my school years and they wrecked me. I will never forgive.

[Ali Cosgrave · Rating 1 out of 5]

Maybe because I had read a few survivors stories before I found this one, but I honestly don't know how I kept reading this. The end was Incredibly out of touch with the concept and topic of the book, I also felt that I was being preached at while reading it? Overall it was an unrealistic story of girls in the laundry.

[Maria Loveless · Rating 5 out of 5]

The poor women that had to live in the worst conditions imaginable! Imagine being raped by a priest as punishment, getting beat (to death, in some cases) all in the name of the spiritual leaders that you have always been told to revere!
These women stole my heart and will steal your too!
A very good story that I am looking to learn more about.

[denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laundries

What a fantastic read!!! This book is awesome, hard to believe this ever happened, even until 1961!!!! Encouraging everyone to read this. Very educational, depressing, but you hang on every word!

[Antoinette Nasky · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Must read

I first learned of this horror with the movie The Magdalene Since then I have read every book I can find on this horror in Ireland's history, and the church involvement. Heartbreaking and a book to test your faith.

[Susan Hittle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book!

I had never heard of the laundries until yesterday when I purchased the book. I read it in 2 days it was so interesting. Even though this book is fiction the horror described actually did happen to the women of the laundries. Heartbreaking

[John devereux · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartbreaking read

Share story to read, but gave great insight to what happened in the Magdalene Laundries. It's difficult to imagine that such atrocities could happen in our recent history. Surely, things can be learnt from this!

[Edita Busmiene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely too much religious content, I guess I was expecting more of a history lesson. Definitely confirms my belief that unfortunately religion is often the cause of the suffering and injustice across globe. Nonetheless, very sad and emotional book 🖤

[Sofie Thn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Background reading for the musical I will be a part off. Really paints a picture of the life they had in the convents. The last chapter however I did not like very much. I guess it goes against my own nature.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Horrifying story of wickedness

Under the umbrella protection of religious ferver or just plain evil.
We all should become informed about what went on and probably still does somewhere. I didn't like the book turning into Bible studies.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this was an enjoyable read, the religious and almost preaching nature of the writing was definitely off-putting to me. The book is a grim insight into a truly horrific part of our history but the ending was definitely out of touch and unrealistic to me.

[Ellen McAvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

the magdalen laundries

Hard to read. The abuse these girls endured was atrocious. Sad to think human beings could treat others like this. A terrible blight on the history of Ireland. Story was very well told.

[margaretdoolin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Magdalen laundries

I would recommended this book to anybody who Love's to read, it had me totaly hooked form start to finish

[Alice Theobald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read in a day

I am very interested in this sad part of Irish Catholic history. This book was filled with the hope we have in Jesus our Savior. I read it in a day.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting fictional story about real history of laundries/unwed mothers in Ireland in the 60's.

[Lisa Harris-Deans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read

A wonderful but heart breaking story of friendship within the awful notorious Magdalen laundries. A story of true strength and survival.

[Judith A Schaefer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and captivating

I could not put this book down. Horrified to know it was fact based. Compelled to learn more about this subject

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely horrific! Moving story. Beautifully written

[Mrs D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book

A brilliant story of sin hope and hard work then forgiveness and most of all friendship
Must read recommend read