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A Song for Bridget: The prequel to Finding Tipperary Mary
THE UNFORGETTABLE TRUE STORY BEHIND THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING MEMOIR FINDING TIPPERARY MARY.A brutal and touching account of the life of Bridget Tipperary Mary Larkin.
She faced poverty, bereavement, cruelty and abandonment many times over, yet never lost the heart to pursue true love.
Returning to rural Ireland in 1938 as a young girl full of hope and expectation, a series of tragic events eventually brought Bridget to Manchester and Birmingham, where she faced a desperate daily struggle to survive.
Bridget's haunting story, told for her by her daughter, is a perfect example of both the fragility and resilience of the human spirit.
What readers are
'A wonderful read'
'Beautifully and tenderly written'
'Incredible'
Reader reviews taken from NetGalley.com
She faced poverty, bereavement, cruelty and abandonment many times over, yet never lost the heart to pursue true love.
Returning to rural Ireland in 1938 as a young girl full of hope and expectation, a series of tragic events eventually brought Bridget to Manchester and Birmingham, where she faced a desperate daily struggle to survive.
Bridget's haunting story, told for her by her daughter, is a perfect example of both the fragility and resilience of the human spirit.
What readers are
'A wonderful read'
'Beautifully and tenderly written'
'Incredible'
Reader reviews taken from NetGalley.com
187 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 12, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 13, 2018
After reading the intial introduction to the book by the author Phyllis, I had some misgivings, Phyllis had got to know and develop a relationship with Bridget through her job as a district nurse, she knew that Bridget was her mother but choose not to disclose this bond to Bridget, instead she used the guise of her job as district nurse to infiltrate and develop relationship with her mother, As a trained nurse I wonder how ethical this decision was, and should Phyllis have disclosed this fact to Bridget from the outset.
Aside from this, the book was incredible, I experienced the highs and lows of Bridget's life, and felt overwhelming sadness, and anger for her plight. Bridget was dealt the most unfair hand of cards, and I in no way blame her for her actions or reactions. The men and the Catholic church, disgusted me with their behaviour and treatment of her, and to be honest I wanted to see some karma meted towards them for their treatment of Bridget. I kept desperately hoping some one would believe her and get her help and support. I thank god times have changed, and women do not have to have their lives destroyed by the crassness of men ,the actions of the local priest. and that the laundries have closed down. The church and it's doctrines should never have been allowed to exert so much control. and I am glad it no longer appears to have such a vice like grip on the irish community, and the church and it's clergy are s being exposed for the horrors they perpetrated on vulnerable Irish citizens. The church and it's uniformed clergy should be ashamed of their actions, and for the countless number of womens lives they have destroyed.
Aside from this, the book was incredible, I experienced the highs and lows of Bridget's life, and felt overwhelming sadness, and anger for her plight. Bridget was dealt the most unfair hand of cards, and I in no way blame her for her actions or reactions. The men and the Catholic church, disgusted me with their behaviour and treatment of her, and to be honest I wanted to see some karma meted towards them for their treatment of Bridget. I kept desperately hoping some one would believe her and get her help and support. I thank god times have changed, and women do not have to have their lives destroyed by the crassness of men ,the actions of the local priest. and that the laundries have closed down. The church and it's doctrines should never have been allowed to exert so much control. and I am glad it no longer appears to have such a vice like grip on the irish community, and the church and it's clergy are s being exposed for the horrors they perpetrated on vulnerable Irish citizens. The church and it's uniformed clergy should be ashamed of their actions, and for the countless number of womens lives they have destroyed.
September 16, 2019
An amazing book!!
As soon as I started reading the first live line in the book I knew it was going to be good. The first chapter had me booked and I couldn't put the book down until I finished it. I was told about this author by my sister as I had never heard of her before and I'm so glad she did. I was transfixed by the story from start to finish and actually felt like I was there. Fantastic reading and I'll be reading a lot more books from her.
As soon as I started reading the first live line in the book I knew it was going to be good. The first chapter had me booked and I couldn't put the book down until I finished it. I was told about this author by my sister as I had never heard of her before and I'm so glad she did. I was transfixed by the story from start to finish and actually felt like I was there. Fantastic reading and I'll be reading a lot more books from her.
February 26, 2021
This was a hard book to read from start to finish I got frustrated with Bridget while reading and for her keeping relapsing but the more o read the more I understood she couldn’t help herself she was so addicted to alcohol and the abuse she suffered from her brother was just the beginning of her downwards spiral for life the church and all it’s associated helpers had also a lot to do with her despair a harrowing but brilliant read
February 8, 2020
What a tragic story, it really makes you think about the down and outs you see about and how their stories are probably similarly traumatic. A brave book to have written and I enjoyed it more than Finding Tipperary Mary, it was better written and less repeptitive.
July 22, 2018
A
such a good book from start to finish.Could not put it down.will follow Phyllis Whitsells other books with much interest.
such a good book from start to finish.Could not put it down.will follow Phyllis Whitsells other books with much interest.
April 28, 2019
Very good, only took a day to read
May 24, 2025
Could not put it down 🫶🏻
June 29, 2025
Loved the way it was written about the writers mum. The reason her mum turned to drink .
Read
October 26, 2018I started it but couldn’t read it. Too depressing. Probably well written just a story I don’t care to hear about right now.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews