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Stolen from Her Mother
With a broken heart, she sinks to the ground. Tears run down her face as the truth hits her. “You can’t do this. She’s my daughter, my flesh and blood. I’ll never stop looking for her. Never. No matter what you say or do, I’ll find her.”
Ireland, 1941: While war rages across the world, Kate struggles on her family farm by the wild Atlantic Ocean. Living off rations and looking after her sick father, she doesn’t dare dream of falling in love.
But when she meets American airman, Tony, whose blue eyes are as stormy as the sea, her life collides with the war in ways she never imagined… They fall madly in love, stealing kisses in the rolling fields, and Tony vows to make her his wife.
Their time is cut short when Tony leaves for war, promising to come back for her. Only then does Kate learn she is carrying his child––but when her family find out, she is shunned and banished to a Magdalen Laundry.
Imprisoned in the home for unmarried mothers, where the windows are covered in barbed wire, the girls survive on scraps and sleep in a crammed dormitory. Kate writes to Tony to tell him about their child, but she never hears back… Is he even still alive?
And when she gives birth to baby Eva, Kate’s worst nightmare comes true: her precious child is sold to a stranger. But she made a promise to her darling daughter, and she’ll never stop looking for her. Can Kate escape, save her child and reunite her family before it’s too late?
Ireland, 1941: While war rages across the world, Kate struggles on her family farm by the wild Atlantic Ocean. Living off rations and looking after her sick father, she doesn’t dare dream of falling in love.
But when she meets American airman, Tony, whose blue eyes are as stormy as the sea, her life collides with the war in ways she never imagined… They fall madly in love, stealing kisses in the rolling fields, and Tony vows to make her his wife.
Their time is cut short when Tony leaves for war, promising to come back for her. Only then does Kate learn she is carrying his child––but when her family find out, she is shunned and banished to a Magdalen Laundry.
Imprisoned in the home for unmarried mothers, where the windows are covered in barbed wire, the girls survive on scraps and sleep in a crammed dormitory. Kate writes to Tony to tell him about their child, but she never hears back… Is he even still alive?
And when she gives birth to baby Eva, Kate’s worst nightmare comes true: her precious child is sold to a stranger. But she made a promise to her darling daughter, and she’ll never stop looking for her. Can Kate escape, save her child and reunite her family before it’s too late?
380 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 21, 2021
1093 people are currently reading
507 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Wesson
111 books357 followersRachel Wesson was born in Kilkenny, Ireland but considers herself to be from the capital, Dublin as that's where she spent most of her life. Her dad brought Rachel and her two sisters out every Saturday to give their mother a break. He took them to the library and for ice-cream after. It took a long time for her sisters to forgive her for the hours she spent choosing her books!
She grew up driving everyone nuts asking them questions about what they did during the War or what side they were on in the 1916 rising etc. Finally her Granny told her to write her stories down so people would get the pleasure of reading them. In fact what Granny meant was everyone would get some peace while Rachel was busy writing!
When not writing, or annoying relatives, Rachel was reading. Her report cards from school commented on her love of reading especially when she should have been learning. Seems you can't read Great Expectations in Maths. After a doomed love affair and an unpleasant bank raid during which she defended herself with a tea tray, she headed to London for a couple of years. (There is a reason she doesn't write romance!). She never intended staying but a chance meeting with the man of her dreams put paid to any return to Ireland. Having spent most of her career in the City, she decided something was missing. Working in the City is great but it's a young person's dream. Having three children you never see isn't good for anyone. So she packed in the job and started writing. Thanks to her amazing readers, that writing turned into a career far more exciting and rewarding than any other.
Rachel lives in Surrey with her husband and three children, two boys and a girl. When not reading, writing or watching films for "research" purposes, Rachel likes to hang out with her family. She also travels regularly back home - in fact she should have shares in BA and Aerlingus.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
January 20, 2022
In a Nutshell: A very emotional experience but somewhat clichéd, especially towards the end. It can be considered a must-read for the facts it throws light on.
Story:
Where the story worked for me:
✔ The brilliant portrayal of the travails faced by young women in the Magdalen laundries run by the Catholic Church in Ireland. I had read Claire Keegan’s “Small Things Like These” last year and it threw a nice spotlight on these infernal institutions sabotaging the name of God while claiming to do his work. This story takes it even further and details out every possible abuse doled out by the nuns to the poor residents whose only “sin” was to be pregnant. Whether they were pregnant out of wedlock or raped or victims of incest didn’t matter. Who impregnated them was immaterial and not even frowned upon. This is a very shameful part in not just the history of Ireland but also of the Catholic Church.
✔ Related to the above, I loved how the author doesn’t castigate the church in a blanket statement. The fingers are pointed rightly and strongly at the culprits, but the story also spotlights a couple of religious figures who try their best to go against the diktats of the authorities. Reality is never black or white, and I appreciate the author’s attempt at showing the truth fairly. There is a line somewhere in the second half that God would never have condoned such atrocities done in his name, and I believe this with all my heart. It is those humans who start getting too big for their religious shoes who misuse his name for control and power.
✔ Beyond the facts related to the Magdalen laundries, the main characters are the strongest point of the story. They all come across as realistic and human in their decisions and behaviour. Carol, her husband Josh, Kate and a couple of other characters leave a strong mark.
✔ If you are the kind who cries at the drop of a hat while reading emotional scenes, consider yourself warned and keep a big box of tissues handy. This book hits HARD! I am not a "crier", yet I found myself struggling with my emotions in many of the scenes. To a certain extent, the book felt like misery porn, but quite a lot of the misery was relevant to the story, so can’t really complain about this.
Where the story could have worked better for me:
❌ I hated the title as it partly misrepresents the book and partly reveals spoilers. The exact title as written on Goodreads is “Stolen from Her Mother: An utterly heartbreaking World War Two page-turner set between Ireland and America”. The first four words immediately tell you that there’s a baby girl in the story who is taken away from her mother. Guess when this incident occurs? Around the 63% mark!!! Not that there was much of a suspense before. Though the two narratives—Irish and US—don’t converge until a long way into the story, it is very easy to see where things are going. Thus the story is just a matter of “how” rather than “what”. A further misnomer is that reference to WWII. The only thing mainly connected to WWII is the time period and the rationing. It’s not a typical war story and tagging it as such will drive away all those who are saturated with the recent flood of WWII fiction.
❌ The writing style didn’t click with me. At times, there were tiny gaps in the plot continuity. Some events were just taken for granted as understood, but they seemed like incomplete links in the chain of thought. On many occasions, historical/political events were referred to in a way that no one would in the normal course of conversation. For instance, when planes are bombing your city, you would say exactly that; you would not mention the type of planes that were dropping the bombs. There is a lot of Irish history and politics in the initial quarter, not all of which was required for the story. There are also references to the London smog of 1952, the depression before the war, the racial conditions in the US, the Irish famine, mental health stigmas, adoption issues,... I feel it went too far in the coverage of topics. The Magdalen laundries are a potent enough topic and the book keeping its focus mainly on those would have worked wonderfully.
❌ The ending is too perfect, too clichéd, too well tied-together. It flattened the overall experience for me.
Feedback on the audiobook:
This book of about 380 pages has an audiobook clocking at just 8 hours. That itself should give you a big clue that the narrator speaks quite fast. (The usual audio length for a 350-odd page novel is about 11-12 hours.) After a long time, I found myself listening to a book at 1x speed. The narrator also has a very strong Irish accent and it took me a while to understand her enunciation. There were certain discrepancies in pronunciations, possibly due to accent differences. Like, “suit” was pronounced rhyming with ‘put’, Eva was always ‘Ava’. (I had noted the character name as ‘Ava’ and only the Amazon blurb showed me that the actual name was ‘Eva’.) Her voice is beautiful but I found her speed a distraction.
Also, it sounded odd to hear the American part of the story being narrated in a strong Irish accent. I know having two narrators wouldn’t have solved the problem because the stories merge towards the end, but still, it felt awkward to the ears.
Some of the other reviews suggest that the author’s note details the true events around this fictional story. The audio ARC didn’t have this section, and I feel like I missed out on a great opportunity to know more.
Despite the shortcomings, I would still consider this book a worthwhile read, if for nothing then to know the horrendous circumstances surrounding the Magdalen laundries. Avoid the audio and go for the reading experience, if possible.
3.75 stars from me.
My thanks to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the ALC of “Stolen from Her Mother”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Story:
1941, Ireland. Kate Ryan is struggling to manage on her family farm with a sick father, a demanding mother and limited food rations due to the ongoing war. When American pilot Tony enters her life, he sweeps her off her feet. Unfortunately, Tony is supposed to rejoin the war efforts and promises to return some day and marry Kate. Only after his departure does Kate realise that she’s carrying his child. When her family finds out, she is forced into the local Magdalen laundry. Will Kate be able to keep her child safe and maybe even escape some day from the horrible circumstances in the home run by the nuns?
A parallel story also set in 1941 comes from the point of view of Carol Anderson, a resident of North Caroline, USA. (In fact, the book begins with her story.) I won’t detail out her track here but it has an equally important role to play in the book.
The book is written in an omniscient third person perspective, beginning from 1941.
Where the story worked for me:
✔ The brilliant portrayal of the travails faced by young women in the Magdalen laundries run by the Catholic Church in Ireland. I had read Claire Keegan’s “Small Things Like These” last year and it threw a nice spotlight on these infernal institutions sabotaging the name of God while claiming to do his work. This story takes it even further and details out every possible abuse doled out by the nuns to the poor residents whose only “sin” was to be pregnant. Whether they were pregnant out of wedlock or raped or victims of incest didn’t matter. Who impregnated them was immaterial and not even frowned upon. This is a very shameful part in not just the history of Ireland but also of the Catholic Church.
✔ Related to the above, I loved how the author doesn’t castigate the church in a blanket statement. The fingers are pointed rightly and strongly at the culprits, but the story also spotlights a couple of religious figures who try their best to go against the diktats of the authorities. Reality is never black or white, and I appreciate the author’s attempt at showing the truth fairly. There is a line somewhere in the second half that God would never have condoned such atrocities done in his name, and I believe this with all my heart. It is those humans who start getting too big for their religious shoes who misuse his name for control and power.
✔ Beyond the facts related to the Magdalen laundries, the main characters are the strongest point of the story. They all come across as realistic and human in their decisions and behaviour. Carol, her husband Josh, Kate and a couple of other characters leave a strong mark.
✔ If you are the kind who cries at the drop of a hat while reading emotional scenes, consider yourself warned and keep a big box of tissues handy. This book hits HARD! I am not a "crier", yet I found myself struggling with my emotions in many of the scenes. To a certain extent, the book felt like misery porn, but quite a lot of the misery was relevant to the story, so can’t really complain about this.
Where the story could have worked better for me:
❌ I hated the title as it partly misrepresents the book and partly reveals spoilers. The exact title as written on Goodreads is “Stolen from Her Mother: An utterly heartbreaking World War Two page-turner set between Ireland and America”. The first four words immediately tell you that there’s a baby girl in the story who is taken away from her mother. Guess when this incident occurs? Around the 63% mark!!! Not that there was much of a suspense before. Though the two narratives—Irish and US—don’t converge until a long way into the story, it is very easy to see where things are going. Thus the story is just a matter of “how” rather than “what”. A further misnomer is that reference to WWII. The only thing mainly connected to WWII is the time period and the rationing. It’s not a typical war story and tagging it as such will drive away all those who are saturated with the recent flood of WWII fiction.
❌ The writing style didn’t click with me. At times, there were tiny gaps in the plot continuity. Some events were just taken for granted as understood, but they seemed like incomplete links in the chain of thought. On many occasions, historical/political events were referred to in a way that no one would in the normal course of conversation. For instance, when planes are bombing your city, you would say exactly that; you would not mention the type of planes that were dropping the bombs. There is a lot of Irish history and politics in the initial quarter, not all of which was required for the story. There are also references to the London smog of 1952, the depression before the war, the racial conditions in the US, the Irish famine, mental health stigmas, adoption issues,... I feel it went too far in the coverage of topics. The Magdalen laundries are a potent enough topic and the book keeping its focus mainly on those would have worked wonderfully.
❌ The ending is too perfect, too clichéd, too well tied-together. It flattened the overall experience for me.
Feedback on the audiobook:
This book of about 380 pages has an audiobook clocking at just 8 hours. That itself should give you a big clue that the narrator speaks quite fast. (The usual audio length for a 350-odd page novel is about 11-12 hours.) After a long time, I found myself listening to a book at 1x speed. The narrator also has a very strong Irish accent and it took me a while to understand her enunciation. There were certain discrepancies in pronunciations, possibly due to accent differences. Like, “suit” was pronounced rhyming with ‘put’, Eva was always ‘Ava’. (I had noted the character name as ‘Ava’ and only the Amazon blurb showed me that the actual name was ‘Eva’.) Her voice is beautiful but I found her speed a distraction.
Also, it sounded odd to hear the American part of the story being narrated in a strong Irish accent. I know having two narrators wouldn’t have solved the problem because the stories merge towards the end, but still, it felt awkward to the ears.
Some of the other reviews suggest that the author’s note details the true events around this fictional story. The audio ARC didn’t have this section, and I feel like I missed out on a great opportunity to know more.
Despite the shortcomings, I would still consider this book a worthwhile read, if for nothing then to know the horrendous circumstances surrounding the Magdalen laundries. Avoid the audio and go for the reading experience, if possible.
3.75 stars from me.
My thanks to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the ALC of “Stolen from Her Mother”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
January 26, 2022
Audiobook Review. Narrated by Maeve Smyth.
This was a great audiobook. The narrator took a little getting used to, she sounded rather monotone to begin with, which normally puts me off. That said, she soon got into her stride and turned this into a compelling listen.
The history surrounding the Magdalene Laundries was something I knew a little about, but Wesson weaved the facts through the fictional characters really well into a tragic and heartfelt read.
Kate's story works well with Carole's, although the later story wasn't dwelt upon for long.
With books like these, I find it odd to say I 'enjoyed' it, but I did look forward to listening to the story and I would recommend it to fans of historical fiction.
This was a great audiobook. The narrator took a little getting used to, she sounded rather monotone to begin with, which normally puts me off. That said, she soon got into her stride and turned this into a compelling listen.
The history surrounding the Magdalene Laundries was something I knew a little about, but Wesson weaved the facts through the fictional characters really well into a tragic and heartfelt read.
Kate's story works well with Carole's, although the later story wasn't dwelt upon for long.
With books like these, I find it odd to say I 'enjoyed' it, but I did look forward to listening to the story and I would recommend it to fans of historical fiction.
December 22, 2021
Lovechild
Wow! What a powerful story. Shame on Ireland and shame on the Catholic Church for treating these unwed mothers as criminals. The cruel and inhumane treatment is not much better than that of the people put in concentration camps by the Nazi's. Surviving on very little food, working all day, being berated, slapped and beaten for even speaking. Their children taken away and sold to rich American's and Englishmen. Then they have the nerve to say if the girls cannot pay the large amount to buy their freedom than they have to work for three years at the home for unwed mothers to pay for their care for the time they are there before and after delivering their child. Some perish and never leave. The babies that don't make it are buried out back in unmarked graves with no funeral. Some of the girls are very young and there because of rape or incest but they are still treated as criminals, absolutely no sympathy or compassion. The thing I found the hardest to believe is that they were put there by their families who shunned them.
Kate is a loving daughter with a loving father and an overbearing mother with a sympathy for the Nazi's. Kate works on her parent's farm with her brother Joe, the rest of the children already have escaped to the cities. Kate's mother wishes her to be a nun, Kate wants to escape and wants freedom to live her life how she wishes.
Kate is a dutiful daughter and does as she is told. When her Uncle asks for her help in another village her father agrees to let her go for a month to help out. It's there that she meets an American airman tony and falls in love. They plan to be married when Tony returns after the war is over. Soon after Tony leaves she finds she is to have his child. When her Uncle finds out he is horrified. She is shunned by the village and a kind priest goes home with her to talk to her parents. Her parents shun her as well and she is sent to the home for unwed mothers and her mother refuses to have anything further to do with her. Eventually she has a little girl and calls her Eva.
Meanwhile in America a young couple, a doctor and his wife Josh and Carol are reeling after a car accident causes Carol to have a miscarriage and lose their child. When she finds out she can have no further children she is devastated. After having a breakdown she is sent to an asylum by her mother in law for treatment. It is all a misunderstanding and should never have happened, but it did. This causes the couple to be turned down for adoption. A Priest who is a friend of Josh tells him of the unwed mothers home in Ireland and how he can adopt a child in return for a very sizable donation to the church. Josh adopts Eva.
Kate has no say in this and is totally devastated that her daughter is gone and she has no way of finding out where she has been taken or who the adoptive parents are. Now Kate has to find a way to escape from the unwed mothers home and search for her daughter. Will she succeed and will she ever find her daughter?
This story is one of the most heartbreaking stories I have ever read. I cried for Kate and for Gwen and for the other mothers in the story. I do recommend this story.
Thanks to Rachel Wesson for writing a great story, to Bookouture for publishing it and to NetGalley for making it available for me to read.
Wow! What a powerful story. Shame on Ireland and shame on the Catholic Church for treating these unwed mothers as criminals. The cruel and inhumane treatment is not much better than that of the people put in concentration camps by the Nazi's. Surviving on very little food, working all day, being berated, slapped and beaten for even speaking. Their children taken away and sold to rich American's and Englishmen. Then they have the nerve to say if the girls cannot pay the large amount to buy their freedom than they have to work for three years at the home for unwed mothers to pay for their care for the time they are there before and after delivering their child. Some perish and never leave. The babies that don't make it are buried out back in unmarked graves with no funeral. Some of the girls are very young and there because of rape or incest but they are still treated as criminals, absolutely no sympathy or compassion. The thing I found the hardest to believe is that they were put there by their families who shunned them.
Kate is a loving daughter with a loving father and an overbearing mother with a sympathy for the Nazi's. Kate works on her parent's farm with her brother Joe, the rest of the children already have escaped to the cities. Kate's mother wishes her to be a nun, Kate wants to escape and wants freedom to live her life how she wishes.
Kate is a dutiful daughter and does as she is told. When her Uncle asks for her help in another village her father agrees to let her go for a month to help out. It's there that she meets an American airman tony and falls in love. They plan to be married when Tony returns after the war is over. Soon after Tony leaves she finds she is to have his child. When her Uncle finds out he is horrified. She is shunned by the village and a kind priest goes home with her to talk to her parents. Her parents shun her as well and she is sent to the home for unwed mothers and her mother refuses to have anything further to do with her. Eventually she has a little girl and calls her Eva.
Meanwhile in America a young couple, a doctor and his wife Josh and Carol are reeling after a car accident causes Carol to have a miscarriage and lose their child. When she finds out she can have no further children she is devastated. After having a breakdown she is sent to an asylum by her mother in law for treatment. It is all a misunderstanding and should never have happened, but it did. This causes the couple to be turned down for adoption. A Priest who is a friend of Josh tells him of the unwed mothers home in Ireland and how he can adopt a child in return for a very sizable donation to the church. Josh adopts Eva.
Kate has no say in this and is totally devastated that her daughter is gone and she has no way of finding out where she has been taken or who the adoptive parents are. Now Kate has to find a way to escape from the unwed mothers home and search for her daughter. Will she succeed and will she ever find her daughter?
This story is one of the most heartbreaking stories I have ever read. I cried for Kate and for Gwen and for the other mothers in the story. I do recommend this story.
Thanks to Rachel Wesson for writing a great story, to Bookouture for publishing it and to NetGalley for making it available for me to read.
January 21, 2022
Stolen From Her Mother begins in Ireland in 1941. Kate has fallen in love with an American soldier and he wants to get married before he is shipped off. Unfortunately, they don't get the chance, but they do have one wonderful sexual encounter. Of course, she gets pregnant and her nightmare begins. Her parents, actually her mother, ships her off to a convent to live and work. They are called Magdalene Girls after Mary Magdalene. These young pregnant women are treated terribly. Forced to work in the laundry with little food, working all day, being berated, slapped and beaten for even speaking when they are supposed to be silent. They are not given proper medical care and once their children are born, they are taken away from them, often being sold. Kate tries to keep her daughter, but when she is almost four, she is "adopted" by a young American couple and taken to the US. The American couple are Carol and Josh. Josh and Carol have their own issues and while in Ireland on business, Josh is directed to the convent to find a child to adopt. Josh selects Eva, Kate's daughter to take home, being assured that her mother wants nothing to do with her. He even leaves letters and money for her to pay her debt to the sisters to finally be released from the Magdalene Laundry.
This was a heartbreaking story. Kate had a brother who loved her and tried to help, but things didn't work out. Her father who loved her, died of a heart attack after his wife, her mother sent her away. This is a fast paced story that was hard to put down. It begins during WW2, but ends in the late 1950s. It is a very emotional story which ends with some hope. I always like it if I read an historical fiction story and learn something. I did not know about the Magdalene Girls and found that interesting, but also so sad. Shame on Ireland and the Catholic Church for treating these unwed mothers as criminals. Even after they deliver their children they have a debt to pay for their care and end up staying and working for 3 years or more. Even the girls, some very young, who were pregnant due to rape or sexual assault by a family member are treated as sinners, something they did wrong. As heartbreaking as this story was, I am glad I read it and recommend it to those who enjoy Historical Fiction. I have enjoyed several books by Rachel Wesson and recommend her other books as well. I did a read/listen with the audiobook being narrated by Maeve Smyth. This was my first time listening to her perform and it took some getting used to. I will say that I found the pace of the audiobook rather quick. That is okay as I usually listen at 1.5 speed, but found I switched to normal speed or 1.2. Maeve also has a thick Irish accent, which was perfect for most of this book, but it took getting used to. I also found the US storyline still had an Irish lilt to it. I did enjoy the audiobook, but found I switched to reading most of it because it was more emotional to listen to the story. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.
This was a heartbreaking story. Kate had a brother who loved her and tried to help, but things didn't work out. Her father who loved her, died of a heart attack after his wife, her mother sent her away. This is a fast paced story that was hard to put down. It begins during WW2, but ends in the late 1950s. It is a very emotional story which ends with some hope. I always like it if I read an historical fiction story and learn something. I did not know about the Magdalene Girls and found that interesting, but also so sad. Shame on Ireland and the Catholic Church for treating these unwed mothers as criminals. Even after they deliver their children they have a debt to pay for their care and end up staying and working for 3 years or more. Even the girls, some very young, who were pregnant due to rape or sexual assault by a family member are treated as sinners, something they did wrong. As heartbreaking as this story was, I am glad I read it and recommend it to those who enjoy Historical Fiction. I have enjoyed several books by Rachel Wesson and recommend her other books as well. I did a read/listen with the audiobook being narrated by Maeve Smyth. This was my first time listening to her perform and it took some getting used to. I will say that I found the pace of the audiobook rather quick. That is okay as I usually listen at 1.5 speed, but found I switched to normal speed or 1.2. Maeve also has a thick Irish accent, which was perfect for most of this book, but it took getting used to. I also found the US storyline still had an Irish lilt to it. I did enjoy the audiobook, but found I switched to reading most of it because it was more emotional to listen to the story. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.
March 4, 2022
This one really got to me and I really liked it. I chose to listen to this book on audio and the narrator didn’t disappoint. The narrator was Maeve Smyth.
I was stunned by the Catholic Church in Ireland and the treatment of unwed mothers. It sickened me. I’m a mother and it felt so devastating what happened to these poor women. I was drawn in right away and couldn’t wait to see what was next. This takes place during WW11 and I had no idea about this tragedy.
I highly recommend listening to this and am better for it. A great written story with lots of unknowns to keep you glued to the story. And I might have cried happy bittersweet tears near the end.
Thanks Bookouture via Netgalley for this wonderful story.
I was stunned by the Catholic Church in Ireland and the treatment of unwed mothers. It sickened me. I’m a mother and it felt so devastating what happened to these poor women. I was drawn in right away and couldn’t wait to see what was next. This takes place during WW11 and I had no idea about this tragedy.
I highly recommend listening to this and am better for it. A great written story with lots of unknowns to keep you glued to the story. And I might have cried happy bittersweet tears near the end.
Thanks Bookouture via Netgalley for this wonderful story.
January 25, 2022
North Carolina, 1941: Carol Anderson’s dreams of being a mother are dashed when a drunk driver hits her car, killing her unborn child and forcing her to have an emergency hysterectomy. Meanwhile, in Ireland, Kate Ryan leaves her family’s farm to help her uncle out at his pub. While there, she meets and falls in love with American pilot Tony, who is being held as a prisoner of war by neutral Ireland. When he and the rest of the British POWs are released, Tony plans to rejoin the fight before coming back to marry Kate. The last night before he leaves, they sleep together, and Kate ends up pregnant. Kate loves this child immediately, as it is a piece of Tony, but her mother is furious and has her taken to the local convent. There, Kate must work in the laundry room in penance for her “sins”. When Kate gives birth to Ava, they are kept apart, and Kate can only dream of the two of them escaping the convent as she is forced to work for years to “pay off” her expenses the church incurred by taking her in.
The brutal experiences unwed mothers went through in convents is something people need to know about; it is awful the tragedies that occurred there “in the name of God.” I feel like the book could have been titled better, as the event mentioned in the title happens about 2/3 of the way through the book. Maybe because I knew what was going to happen, I had my heart emotionally prepared for the separation and never really felt the depth of the pain that I believe the author intended us to feel.
Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an audio ARC of this book.
The brutal experiences unwed mothers went through in convents is something people need to know about; it is awful the tragedies that occurred there “in the name of God.” I feel like the book could have been titled better, as the event mentioned in the title happens about 2/3 of the way through the book. Maybe because I knew what was going to happen, I had my heart emotionally prepared for the separation and never really felt the depth of the pain that I believe the author intended us to feel.
Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an audio ARC of this book.
January 25, 2022
I had a reason for requesting this book and if you read on that will be revealed.
This (audio) read was going great until the fairytale ending. A good depiction of how life was for single unmarried mothers in Ireland in the 1930’s and indeed up until I would say the 1970’s. Very well written and very well researched. I found some of the conversations between characters a bit stilted but acceptable in that you need a background, and of course not all readers are going to be Irish or familiar with the story of the Mother and Baby homes/ Magdalene laundries of our past.
This would not have been a typical read for me up to 2 years ago.
My heart broke in a few instances because the story was part of my family which I didn’t know about until October 2019 when by chance I had done dna testing for the craic as we Irish say and I discovered what turned out to be a half nephew in Texas, USA.
Reading this type of genre gives me further information about the life my mother had when she gave birth to my sister in 1954.
She wasn’t in a Magdalene laundry, she and her baby resided in a Mother and Baby home until my uncle got a hefty advance on his wages and paid over £100 to the nuns so my mother could leave. Subsequently her baby girl was adopted (indeed sold!!) to America.
Thank you Rachel Wesson for giving these women their stories (and I apologise for taking over this review with my story!!)
In memory of Mary Shelly 1929 - 1996
And of Nora Shelly born Dublin 1954
Died as Penelope Range in Texas 1998
Many thanks to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this.
This (audio) read was going great until the fairytale ending. A good depiction of how life was for single unmarried mothers in Ireland in the 1930’s and indeed up until I would say the 1970’s. Very well written and very well researched. I found some of the conversations between characters a bit stilted but acceptable in that you need a background, and of course not all readers are going to be Irish or familiar with the story of the Mother and Baby homes/ Magdalene laundries of our past.
This would not have been a typical read for me up to 2 years ago.
My heart broke in a few instances because the story was part of my family which I didn’t know about until October 2019 when by chance I had done dna testing for the craic as we Irish say and I discovered what turned out to be a half nephew in Texas, USA.
Reading this type of genre gives me further information about the life my mother had when she gave birth to my sister in 1954.
She wasn’t in a Magdalene laundry, she and her baby resided in a Mother and Baby home until my uncle got a hefty advance on his wages and paid over £100 to the nuns so my mother could leave. Subsequently her baby girl was adopted (indeed sold!!) to America.
Thank you Rachel Wesson for giving these women their stories (and I apologise for taking over this review with my story!!)
In memory of Mary Shelly 1929 - 1996
And of Nora Shelly born Dublin 1954
Died as Penelope Range in Texas 1998
Many thanks to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this.
January 23, 2022
This is a well written historical fiction novel brilliantly portraying the hardships faced by young women in Ireland who were sent to the Magdalen laundries,. This is a truly shameful part in both Ireland's and the Catholic Church's history, which leaves you feeling dreadfully sad for the young mothers who were subjected to forced labour, as well as psychological and physical maltreatment.
Beyond the facts relating to the Magdalen laundries, the story began during WWII; although it's not really a war story - with the American couple who adopted the two children being painted in a good light. The Andersons did add a little warmth to what is essentially a pretty bleak tale.
I did not like the ending at all and I'm sad to say that it ruined the overall experience for me - amazingly, right after the ending there is sales blurb, where apparently this and other books by this Author are supposed to have you 'smiling at the happy ending' - what a joke - the ending was sad and pretty poor!
In terms of the Audio, the Narrator speaks really fast - It's not a typical Narration, which for a book this size would be at least another couple of hours - although I got used to the rapid pace after a while.
Despite its shortcomings and horrendous ending, I would still consider this book a worthwhile read, if for nothing more then to know the horrendous circumstances surrounding the Magdalen laundries.
Thanks NetGallery and Bookouture Audio for my copy of this book.
Beyond the facts relating to the Magdalen laundries, the story began during WWII; although it's not really a war story - with the American couple who adopted the two children being painted in a good light. The Andersons did add a little warmth to what is essentially a pretty bleak tale.
I did not like the ending at all and I'm sad to say that it ruined the overall experience for me - amazingly, right after the ending there is sales blurb, where apparently this and other books by this Author are supposed to have you 'smiling at the happy ending' - what a joke - the ending was sad and pretty poor!
In terms of the Audio, the Narrator speaks really fast - It's not a typical Narration, which for a book this size would be at least another couple of hours - although I got used to the rapid pace after a while.
Despite its shortcomings and horrendous ending, I would still consider this book a worthwhile read, if for nothing more then to know the horrendous circumstances surrounding the Magdalen laundries.
Thanks NetGallery and Bookouture Audio for my copy of this book.
January 31, 2022
Originality at its absolute finest! I was needing a escape and having trouble getting into reading anything until I found this gem and once I did I could stop! This has two stories in it. Kate lives in Ireland and falls in love with a American soldier during WW2. They plan on getting married was cut short as he reported for duty. When she finds herself pregnant her Irish Catholic family won’t hear anything about love as they send her to The Magdalen Laundries- a home for unwed mothers who are put into forced labor as well as having their children stolen from them. I have actually read many stories about this sad historical fact and it’s unreal how awful it was. In America The Anderson Family suffers from a tragic loss and with it their hopes for a family. The way these stories come together was shocking and emotional! I was truly surprised by the ending and it made me actually cry. Fantastic details and historical facts that I really appreciate as a lover of historical books. I listened to the audio and must say I could listen to the narrator all day! I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it!
January 15, 2022
Grab the Kleenex! You will need it for this fantastic tear-jerker!
"Stolen From Her Mother" audiobook is set in Ireland in 1941. Kate and Tony fall in love, but Tony is sent to fight in the war before he and Kate get married. Kate finds out she is pregnant and is forced to go to a home for unwed mothers. While staying there Kate witnesses inhumane treatment and death of pregnant young girls in her situation.
Kate gives birth to a beautiful little girl she names Eva. The child favors Tony and is Kate's world. Then without warning the unthinkable happens.... the narcissist nuns at the home sell Eva to a man with a barren wife. Kate is devastated and vows to Eva "she'll never stop looking for her".
This is historical fiction, but it is so much more. Kate represents the stigma of being a unwed mother during the 1940's. Although it is more accepted to have a child out of wedlock in today's society, history clearly reflects the abuse and trauma these women endured. This is such a important topic that Rachel Wesson poignantly addresses in her descriptive novel. I enjoyed this audiobook narrated by Maeve Smyth and highly recommend it to all historical fiction lovers.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the honor of reviewing this extraordinary audiobook. I really appreciate your kindness!
"Stolen From Her Mother" audiobook is set in Ireland in 1941. Kate and Tony fall in love, but Tony is sent to fight in the war before he and Kate get married. Kate finds out she is pregnant and is forced to go to a home for unwed mothers. While staying there Kate witnesses inhumane treatment and death of pregnant young girls in her situation.
Kate gives birth to a beautiful little girl she names Eva. The child favors Tony and is Kate's world. Then without warning the unthinkable happens.... the narcissist nuns at the home sell Eva to a man with a barren wife. Kate is devastated and vows to Eva "she'll never stop looking for her".
This is historical fiction, but it is so much more. Kate represents the stigma of being a unwed mother during the 1940's. Although it is more accepted to have a child out of wedlock in today's society, history clearly reflects the abuse and trauma these women endured. This is such a important topic that Rachel Wesson poignantly addresses in her descriptive novel. I enjoyed this audiobook narrated by Maeve Smyth and highly recommend it to all historical fiction lovers.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the honor of reviewing this extraordinary audiobook. I really appreciate your kindness!
January 6, 2022
This is a new author for me which I really enjoyed and look forward to reading more from her in the future. This is a well written, emotional story about a mother whose daughter was taken from her and sold. The mother is determined and vowed to never stop looking for her. I enjoyed being pulled into the story from the beginning. The characters are relateable and truly made the story for me. They are heart pulling, strong and determined characters that are supportive of each other. I enjoyed their growth throughout the story as well as the plot. This is a fast paced story that is hard to put down and takes place during WW2. It is a historical, emotional story that too me on a roller coaster ride. I really enjoyed this book and found it entertaining. I highly recommend this book.
January 22, 2022
Rachel Wesson is a new author for me but after enjoying Stolen From Her Mother so much, despite the tough subject matter, I definitely will be reading more by this very talented author in the future. From the moment I began reading I felt that the author really knew her stuff especially when it came to the parts of the book set in Ireland. It was like she was writing from the heart as well as having done extensive research. Then I discovered the author had been born and raised in Ireland and it all made sense for there is no Irish women who does not know of the abuse and horrors that befell the countless women who ended up in the Magdalene laundries. We may not have always learnt about it in history class in school but certainly over the last number of years especially as horrific stories have been brought into the public arena and it’s only now we know what the Church did to so many innocent women who did not deserve what they went through. The fact the last laundry only closed here in Ireland in the 1990’s stuns me. No doubt about it the Church have an awful lot to answer for but sadly I don’t think the true extent of what went on will over come to the surface. So many women seek answers that they will never find and that just doesn’t bare thinking about.
The book opens in North Carolina in September 1941 as Carol Anderson is coming to terms with the repercussions from a recent car accident. The ability to conceive and carry her own child is no longer possible and she must try and come to terms with this whilst her husband is away as a fighter pilot as the Americans have recently entered into the war. Carol goes through much mental trauma and her supposed actions are frowned upon by her in-laws. They saw something and mistook it as being something else meaning adoption is now not possible also. At first, I wondered why was Carol featuring in the story and then it clicked pretty quickly with me although connections to the main plot of the book and Carol were not really established until towards the end. At various points in the story we move to a chapter from Carol’s viewpoint but to be honest it wasn’t her I wanted to be reading about, it was Kate and what she was going through. Carol didn’t hold my attention at all really not that the writing from her point was bad. It wasn’t at all. I knew why she needed to be there and it proved a solid all round viewpoint from which to form your opinion of the overall themes and topics in the book but Kate was such a brilliant, mesmerising and standout character that it was with her that I wanted to be all the time.
Galway December 1941 and we see how Kate lives a harsh existence on her family’s farm. Her brothers and sisters have all emigrated bar one, her father is ill, and her mother is just cruel with her sharp barbs and comments. Her mother is bitter, twisted and mean and is dominated by the rulings and teachings of the church. She has it set in her mind that Kate will become a nun but that’s so far removed from what Kate actually wants for herself. There was such a good understanding and explanation from the author of life in rural Ireland and how everyone knew each other’s business and were afraid to express themselves and step out of line when it came to anything to do with the church. Don’t get me wrong of course some priests were nice, compassionate and supportive as Kate did find out but those that weren’t certainly ruled with an iron fist.
Kate is a young woman who is loyal to her family despite the harsh treatment and judgement from her mother. She is sent away to the Curragh for the summer to help her Uncle Pat and cousin Mary’s pub. This is a turning point for Kate as she works hard but also experiences freedom from the harsh rules of her homeplace. Here is where she meets American pilot Tony who had been shot down and placed in an internment camp. I had never known there was an internment camp in the Curragh where both Germans and Americans were kept during the war. With Ireland being neutral the camp seemed pretty relaxed in its rules with the camp mates being allowed out and to go to the pub etc. A romance follows between Kate and Tony and it came across as being genuine and that it could be long lasting. Tony wishes to spend his life with Kate but when he is called away to serve, once again she is left devastated and with a lot more than she bargained for.
Overnight, Kate becomes a pariah once news of her pregnancy becomes public knowledge and the chapters that follow and dominate the book are at times very hard to read. You can’t comprehend or really process all that Kate goes through although no detail is spared. The reasoning behind a family abandoning their daughter to a convent and Magdalene laundry in order for her to atone for her sins is just incomprehensible in this day and age. Kate is a strong and proud women and she does not regret her actions one bit and nor should she. It just really highlights how backwards Ireland was at that time. The nuns view Kate as another slave who must pay for her wanton behaviour. The words spoken to her and the treatment meted out should never have been allowed to occur. Every young girl or woman that found themselves in a convent of this nature was given a new name and known as a penitent. There are so many awful things that occur and so many shocking scenes that leave you open mouthed in horror and with a tear in your eye that I would be here forever detailing them. Suffice to say Kate needs every bit of her strength and intelligence to fight a battle against pure evil. Some of the things that occurred you think to yourself ah god there is no way that could have occurred but it’s all sadly true and not fiction as you desperately hope it could be.
Kate is merely existing in the house of horrors when her worst nightmare comes true and her beloved baby is taken from her. Here the novel took on a different tone and the fighter in Kate came even further to the fore. The various characters that surround her, some not so good and some who would do anything for her really step up and a connection I had guessed at the beginning started to come to light. I found myself on even more of a journey with Kate and the sad thing is that this happened to so many women that there is not just one Kate out there but so many and it’s only in recent years that the true horrors of what occurred behind closed doors have come to light and it really makes you angry that people stood by and did nothing. I loved how Rachel Wesson brought Kate’s story full circle. It’s so well structured and cleverly plotted with a clear, beginning, middle and end demonstrates what a really good author can do with a serious topic that leaves you thinking about it long after you have turned the last page.
Rachel Wesson has written a fascinating, emotional and heartfelt story that will touch you deeply. Yes, it’s set during World War Two but it’s not a war novel. Rather it is taking place in the background and it provides the catalyst for Kate meeting Tony and then the focus is what went on once Kate’s life ventured in a direction she never thought possible. I’ll admit I found perhaps the first quarter quite slow as the scene was being set and characters introduced but then after that things really picked up and I couldn’t leave the book out of my hands. Rachel Wesson really does justice to the story of so many women and highlights a terrible wrong and misjustice that happened to so many women. She gives them a voice when at the time they had none and makes us not forget all who endured so much at the hands of a dominant force. If you have never read about what occurred in the laundries before and the reasons for the incarceration of so many women and what in turn happened to their babies then this will be a real thought provoking eye opener for you. You root for the main character the whole way through and wish nothing but the best for her but to see does Kate ever find the happy ending she most certainly deserves than I suggest you get your hands on a copy of Stolen From Her Mother as soon as you can. You won’t be disappointed by this powerful story.
The book opens in North Carolina in September 1941 as Carol Anderson is coming to terms with the repercussions from a recent car accident. The ability to conceive and carry her own child is no longer possible and she must try and come to terms with this whilst her husband is away as a fighter pilot as the Americans have recently entered into the war. Carol goes through much mental trauma and her supposed actions are frowned upon by her in-laws. They saw something and mistook it as being something else meaning adoption is now not possible also. At first, I wondered why was Carol featuring in the story and then it clicked pretty quickly with me although connections to the main plot of the book and Carol were not really established until towards the end. At various points in the story we move to a chapter from Carol’s viewpoint but to be honest it wasn’t her I wanted to be reading about, it was Kate and what she was going through. Carol didn’t hold my attention at all really not that the writing from her point was bad. It wasn’t at all. I knew why she needed to be there and it proved a solid all round viewpoint from which to form your opinion of the overall themes and topics in the book but Kate was such a brilliant, mesmerising and standout character that it was with her that I wanted to be all the time.
Galway December 1941 and we see how Kate lives a harsh existence on her family’s farm. Her brothers and sisters have all emigrated bar one, her father is ill, and her mother is just cruel with her sharp barbs and comments. Her mother is bitter, twisted and mean and is dominated by the rulings and teachings of the church. She has it set in her mind that Kate will become a nun but that’s so far removed from what Kate actually wants for herself. There was such a good understanding and explanation from the author of life in rural Ireland and how everyone knew each other’s business and were afraid to express themselves and step out of line when it came to anything to do with the church. Don’t get me wrong of course some priests were nice, compassionate and supportive as Kate did find out but those that weren’t certainly ruled with an iron fist.
Kate is a young woman who is loyal to her family despite the harsh treatment and judgement from her mother. She is sent away to the Curragh for the summer to help her Uncle Pat and cousin Mary’s pub. This is a turning point for Kate as she works hard but also experiences freedom from the harsh rules of her homeplace. Here is where she meets American pilot Tony who had been shot down and placed in an internment camp. I had never known there was an internment camp in the Curragh where both Germans and Americans were kept during the war. With Ireland being neutral the camp seemed pretty relaxed in its rules with the camp mates being allowed out and to go to the pub etc. A romance follows between Kate and Tony and it came across as being genuine and that it could be long lasting. Tony wishes to spend his life with Kate but when he is called away to serve, once again she is left devastated and with a lot more than she bargained for.
Overnight, Kate becomes a pariah once news of her pregnancy becomes public knowledge and the chapters that follow and dominate the book are at times very hard to read. You can’t comprehend or really process all that Kate goes through although no detail is spared. The reasoning behind a family abandoning their daughter to a convent and Magdalene laundry in order for her to atone for her sins is just incomprehensible in this day and age. Kate is a strong and proud women and she does not regret her actions one bit and nor should she. It just really highlights how backwards Ireland was at that time. The nuns view Kate as another slave who must pay for her wanton behaviour. The words spoken to her and the treatment meted out should never have been allowed to occur. Every young girl or woman that found themselves in a convent of this nature was given a new name and known as a penitent. There are so many awful things that occur and so many shocking scenes that leave you open mouthed in horror and with a tear in your eye that I would be here forever detailing them. Suffice to say Kate needs every bit of her strength and intelligence to fight a battle against pure evil. Some of the things that occurred you think to yourself ah god there is no way that could have occurred but it’s all sadly true and not fiction as you desperately hope it could be.
Kate is merely existing in the house of horrors when her worst nightmare comes true and her beloved baby is taken from her. Here the novel took on a different tone and the fighter in Kate came even further to the fore. The various characters that surround her, some not so good and some who would do anything for her really step up and a connection I had guessed at the beginning started to come to light. I found myself on even more of a journey with Kate and the sad thing is that this happened to so many women that there is not just one Kate out there but so many and it’s only in recent years that the true horrors of what occurred behind closed doors have come to light and it really makes you angry that people stood by and did nothing. I loved how Rachel Wesson brought Kate’s story full circle. It’s so well structured and cleverly plotted with a clear, beginning, middle and end demonstrates what a really good author can do with a serious topic that leaves you thinking about it long after you have turned the last page.
Rachel Wesson has written a fascinating, emotional and heartfelt story that will touch you deeply. Yes, it’s set during World War Two but it’s not a war novel. Rather it is taking place in the background and it provides the catalyst for Kate meeting Tony and then the focus is what went on once Kate’s life ventured in a direction she never thought possible. I’ll admit I found perhaps the first quarter quite slow as the scene was being set and characters introduced but then after that things really picked up and I couldn’t leave the book out of my hands. Rachel Wesson really does justice to the story of so many women and highlights a terrible wrong and misjustice that happened to so many women. She gives them a voice when at the time they had none and makes us not forget all who endured so much at the hands of a dominant force. If you have never read about what occurred in the laundries before and the reasons for the incarceration of so many women and what in turn happened to their babies then this will be a real thought provoking eye opener for you. You root for the main character the whole way through and wish nothing but the best for her but to see does Kate ever find the happy ending she most certainly deserves than I suggest you get your hands on a copy of Stolen From Her Mother as soon as you can. You won’t be disappointed by this powerful story.
February 22, 2022
This is my first Rachel Wesson's: what an excellent writer I didn't know!
When I chose this book I thought it was mainly about Magdalene laudries. Actually there's a lot more to the story, as we also get to know the background of both Kate (the Magdalene girl) and Carol (the adoptive mother) and their families. In most cases this is an added bonus, but in my case it wasn't, because I have a specific interest in the subject of mother and baby homes in Ireland, so i hoped the would be more about that.
I only say this because I want to underline that this book is beautiful and gorgeously written and my disappointment is only due to my specific interest.
I will definitely have a look at others Wesson's books, since I've really loved her style.
I really appreciated the writer's note at the end of the book, makes you want to research more about this subject.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Merged review:
This is my first Rachel Wesson's: what an excellent writer I didn't know!
When I chose this book I thought it was mainly about Magdalene laudries. Actually there's a lot more to the story, as we also get to know the background of both Kate (the Magdalene girl) and Carol (the adoptive mother) and their families. In most cases this is an added bonus, but in my case it wasn't, because I have a specific interest in the subject of mother and baby homes in Ireland, so i hoped the would be more about that.
I only say this because I want to underline that this book is beautiful and gorgeously written and my disappointment is only due to my specific interest.
I will definitely have a look at others Wesson's books, since I've really loved her style.
I really appreciated the writer's note at the end of the book, makes you want to research more about this subject.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
When I chose this book I thought it was mainly about Magdalene laudries. Actually there's a lot more to the story, as we also get to know the background of both Kate (the Magdalene girl) and Carol (the adoptive mother) and their families. In most cases this is an added bonus, but in my case it wasn't, because I have a specific interest in the subject of mother and baby homes in Ireland, so i hoped the would be more about that.
I only say this because I want to underline that this book is beautiful and gorgeously written and my disappointment is only due to my specific interest.
I will definitely have a look at others Wesson's books, since I've really loved her style.
I really appreciated the writer's note at the end of the book, makes you want to research more about this subject.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Merged review:
This is my first Rachel Wesson's: what an excellent writer I didn't know!
When I chose this book I thought it was mainly about Magdalene laudries. Actually there's a lot more to the story, as we also get to know the background of both Kate (the Magdalene girl) and Carol (the adoptive mother) and their families. In most cases this is an added bonus, but in my case it wasn't, because I have a specific interest in the subject of mother and baby homes in Ireland, so i hoped the would be more about that.
I only say this because I want to underline that this book is beautiful and gorgeously written and my disappointment is only due to my specific interest.
I will definitely have a look at others Wesson's books, since I've really loved her style.
I really appreciated the writer's note at the end of the book, makes you want to research more about this subject.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 20, 2021
Dear moms!
While the tears in my eyes are drying up, I am writing to all women, especially to moms, this letter, because I want to recommend you a wonderful book about a young girl Kate. It is not just a love story or fiction book, it's a great work of art, the story based on real events, the book, after reading that you will never be the same!
So, the author takes us back to the World War ll in Ireland, where the word 'mother' did not refer to all women with children, on the contrary, a woman who gave birth could not always be a mother.
Kate paid for her love with humiliation, cruelty and the loss of the most precious thing, her daughter!
The events taking place in the book were so realistic that I could hardly restrain my anger, the impulse to start a fight for the freedom of pregnant women, a fight for justice. Fortunately, I realized in time that all that was happening in Ireland, in 1944, and I was at home, and in front of me was a book! My heart was torn to pieces from the wish to help Kate and her friends, I wanted to alleviate their suffering. Why were they experiencing all that? Why was life so unfair to them?
This book is about mothers and, as I believe, is written for us, mothers, because who else if not us would understand what that means to be a mother?
I think that this brilliant book, Kate and the other women's story, must to be read and then many people will know that shameful part of History, which I unwittingly compared to the Holocaust. It must not be forgotten.
I am sure that you will love this amazing book as I did, and you will never forget those events, never!
With love,
L.T.
P.S. thanks to Rachel Wesson, Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this great book!
While the tears in my eyes are drying up, I am writing to all women, especially to moms, this letter, because I want to recommend you a wonderful book about a young girl Kate. It is not just a love story or fiction book, it's a great work of art, the story based on real events, the book, after reading that you will never be the same!
So, the author takes us back to the World War ll in Ireland, where the word 'mother' did not refer to all women with children, on the contrary, a woman who gave birth could not always be a mother.
Kate paid for her love with humiliation, cruelty and the loss of the most precious thing, her daughter!
The events taking place in the book were so realistic that I could hardly restrain my anger, the impulse to start a fight for the freedom of pregnant women, a fight for justice. Fortunately, I realized in time that all that was happening in Ireland, in 1944, and I was at home, and in front of me was a book! My heart was torn to pieces from the wish to help Kate and her friends, I wanted to alleviate their suffering. Why were they experiencing all that? Why was life so unfair to them?
This book is about mothers and, as I believe, is written for us, mothers, because who else if not us would understand what that means to be a mother?
I think that this brilliant book, Kate and the other women's story, must to be read and then many people will know that shameful part of History, which I unwittingly compared to the Holocaust. It must not be forgotten.
I am sure that you will love this amazing book as I did, and you will never forget those events, never!
With love,
L.T.
P.S. thanks to Rachel Wesson, Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this great book!
December 20, 2021
Set in 1941 Ireland, Stolen from Her Mother is a heartbreaking and gripping story that follows Kate, a young lady in love during a time of war. When her beloved airman, Tony, returns to war, she soon finds out she is expecting his child out of wedlock. Shunned from her family and community, she is forcibly sent to a cruel Magdalene laundry home for pregnant women. Seen as fallen, less-than, and unlovable mothers and babies, Kate must navigate the abuse while trying to stay strong for her child. When her child is ultimately sold, she vows never to stop searching. Interwoven with another somber story, Stolen from Her Mother is a fantastic read of perseverance, love, and grace.
One constructive critique I have is I did not feel the supporting characters had sufficient character development. I would have loved to read a bit more of Kate's fellow Maggie's stories and personalities. Regardless, this book is a wonderful read that might bring tears to your eyes and give you a renewed sense of compassion to those who have different paths and lives than we do. Thanks to Rachel Wesson, Bookouture and NetGalley for this advanced copy. Loved it.
One constructive critique I have is I did not feel the supporting characters had sufficient character development. I would have loved to read a bit more of Kate's fellow Maggie's stories and personalities. Regardless, this book is a wonderful read that might bring tears to your eyes and give you a renewed sense of compassion to those who have different paths and lives than we do. Thanks to Rachel Wesson, Bookouture and NetGalley for this advanced copy. Loved it.
January 21, 2022
So heartbreaking, this book had me reaching for the tissues. From the atrocities at the convent to the determination of never giving up looking for her daughter, Kate's journey brought out all of the emotions.
I can't even imagine basically being locked up for being an unwed mother and all of the atrocities that were shared about the convent in Galway. One of the best parts of this book was Ava's spirit that seemed to match Kate's. I loved the part of 3 year old Ava making sure to kick anyone that tried to take her away from her mother.
I'm also glad that the Andersons were painted in a good light as well. Their compassion to help added additional warmth to the story where needed.
I enjoyed the audiobook version of this book. The narrator was engaging and was almost how I would imagine Kate sounded like. Such an enjoyable, warm, but heartbreaking read!
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy of this Audiobook for my honest review.
I can't even imagine basically being locked up for being an unwed mother and all of the atrocities that were shared about the convent in Galway. One of the best parts of this book was Ava's spirit that seemed to match Kate's. I loved the part of 3 year old Ava making sure to kick anyone that tried to take her away from her mother.
I'm also glad that the Andersons were painted in a good light as well. Their compassion to help added additional warmth to the story where needed.
I enjoyed the audiobook version of this book. The narrator was engaging and was almost how I would imagine Kate sounded like. Such an enjoyable, warm, but heartbreaking read!
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy of this Audiobook for my honest review.
January 24, 2022
The book opens in North Carolina in September 1941 as Carol Anderson is coming to terms with the repercussions from a recent car accident. The ability to conceive and carry her own child is no longer possible and she must try and come to terms with this whilst her husband is away as a fighter pilot as the Americans have recently entered into the war. Carol goes through much mental trauma and her supposed actions are frowned upon by her in-laws. They saw something and mistook it as being something else meaning adoption is now not possible also. At first, I wondered why was Carol featuring in the story and then it clicked pretty quickly with me although connections to the main plot of the book and Carol were not really established until towards the end. At various points in the story we move to a chapter from Carol’s viewpoint but to be honest it wasn’t her I wanted to be reading about, it was Kate and what she was going through. Carol didn’t hold my attention at all really not that the writing from her point was bad. It wasn’t at all. I knew why she needed to be there and it proved a solid all round viewpoint from which to form your opinion of the overall themes and topics in the book but Kate was such a brilliant, mesmerizing and standout character that it was with her that I wanted to be all the time. Galway December 1941 and we see how Kate lives a harsh existence on her family’s farm. Her brothers and sisters have all emigrated bar one, her father is ill, and her mother is just cruel with her sharp barbs and comments. Her mother is bitter, twisted and mean and is dominated by the rulings and teachings of the church. She has it set in her mind that Kate will become a nun but that’s so far removed from what Kate actually wants for herself. There was such a good understanding and explanation from the author of life in rural Ireland and how everyone knew each other’s business and were afraid to express themselves and step out of line when it came to anything to do with the church. Rachel Wesson is a new author for me but after enjoying Stolen From Her Mother so much, despite the tough subject matter, I definitely will be reading more by this very talented author in the future. From the moment I began reading I felt that the author really knew her stuff especially when it came to the parts of the book set in Ireland. It was like she was writing from the heart as well as having done extensive research. Then I discovered the author had been born and raised in Ireland and it all made sense for there is no Irish women who does not know of the abuse and horrors that befell the countless women who ended up in the Magdalene laundries. We may not have always learnt about it in history class in school but certainly over the last number of years especially as horrific stories have been brought into the public arena and it’s only now we know what the Church did to so many innocent women who did not deserve what they went through.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 23, 2022
3.5 stars
Thank you Bookouture Audio ad Netgalley for an ALC in exchange for an honest review!
This book is one that I requested because I am trying to read more historical books this year and the premise sounded like an interesting one. One of my favorite books is a memoir from a mother who had a son she had to give up for adoption and this topic always draws me. I really like how this one was written.
I am not a fan of perfect endings, or when things always go right and I think that is why this book is something I liked. It moves slower than I would like and it doesn't have too much going on, but it is emotional and real. We follow Kate as she falls in love, gets pregnant, loses the love of her life, and then in a sense loses her own life, becoming enslaved to a horrible single mother's shelter. Then we follow a couple who lost their unborn baby and the ability to ever have a child of their own. Somehow these two sets of people end up having their lives interweaving, but this takes time to be revealed.
A lot of people have complaints about different timelines and sets of people but I think that the balance was really good. I personally wanted to read more about Kate and Eva and that's what we get. The book is mostly about them but we get enough of the couple's story to also care for them and know how their life progresses.
Kate's story moves at a slow pace but I liked reading about her challenges. The injustice she faces makes us as a reader feel more invested in her and have a more emotional reaction to the story. We see the love she has for her child and it pains us to see what they both go through. I think the natural progression of the story was really well done. Nothing felt fake. The way the characters acted was not overdone but was raw and real.
I think I would have got bored physically reading this at some points in the story but listening to it is my recommendation if you like listening to audiobooks while doing other stuff. The narrator read faster than a lot of narrators so I had to take the speed down than what I normally read it at, but part of this might be because of the accent. This is something I liked in this book. It took me a little to get used to the accent but once I did it helped build the character for me. I like how the narration was done and it was easy to follow along with.
Thank you Bookouture Audio ad Netgalley for an ALC in exchange for an honest review!
This book is one that I requested because I am trying to read more historical books this year and the premise sounded like an interesting one. One of my favorite books is a memoir from a mother who had a son she had to give up for adoption and this topic always draws me. I really like how this one was written.
I am not a fan of perfect endings, or when things always go right and I think that is why this book is something I liked. It moves slower than I would like and it doesn't have too much going on, but it is emotional and real. We follow Kate as she falls in love, gets pregnant, loses the love of her life, and then in a sense loses her own life, becoming enslaved to a horrible single mother's shelter. Then we follow a couple who lost their unborn baby and the ability to ever have a child of their own. Somehow these two sets of people end up having their lives interweaving, but this takes time to be revealed.
A lot of people have complaints about different timelines and sets of people but I think that the balance was really good. I personally wanted to read more about Kate and Eva and that's what we get. The book is mostly about them but we get enough of the couple's story to also care for them and know how their life progresses.
Kate's story moves at a slow pace but I liked reading about her challenges. The injustice she faces makes us as a reader feel more invested in her and have a more emotional reaction to the story. We see the love she has for her child and it pains us to see what they both go through. I think the natural progression of the story was really well done. Nothing felt fake. The way the characters acted was not overdone but was raw and real.
I think I would have got bored physically reading this at some points in the story but listening to it is my recommendation if you like listening to audiobooks while doing other stuff. The narrator read faster than a lot of narrators so I had to take the speed down than what I normally read it at, but part of this might be because of the accent. This is something I liked in this book. It took me a little to get used to the accent but once I did it helped build the character for me. I like how the narration was done and it was easy to follow along with.
January 31, 2022
In America Carol has a car accident which results in her losing her much wanted baby & her injuries mean she can never have a child. He husband is away at war & her mother in law ends up making sure she is not likely to adopt.
Kate Ryan lives on the West Coast of Ireland. It is 1940 & the Irish nation is still very young with many people feeling a deep hatred for the English. When her brother goes off to join the war her mother is furious. Her sick father will do anything for a quiet life so when her uncle asks if Kate can come & help out for a few months she is delighted to escape. While there she meets Tony, an American airman who is interred in a POW camp- Ireland & America not being in the war. When Tony gets the chance to fly again he promises to come back for Kate, however when he leaves she discovers she's pregnant. An unmarried mother is an anathema to the Church. She is whisked off to one of the now infamous Magdalene Laundries where the girls are cruelly treated & their babies are considered to be creatures of sin. Kate is utterly determined that she wants to keep her baby but the nuns have other ideas.
Needless to say the paths will cross & some things seemed a bit too contrived. The story of Kate was pretty horrific especially when you realise that it was in the 80's/90's when the last of these places was finally closed & the truth came out. I was born on the 50's & if the nationality of my parents had been reversed it it probably I would have been born in one of these places. Reading this suddenly made sense of something my adopted Dad said to me when I was talking about marrying- "Does he know where you come from?" At the time I brushed it off but looking back I know there were some of his family that weren't happy about them adopting me. This is definitely a book that makes you think. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book. It will be with me for a long time.
Kate Ryan lives on the West Coast of Ireland. It is 1940 & the Irish nation is still very young with many people feeling a deep hatred for the English. When her brother goes off to join the war her mother is furious. Her sick father will do anything for a quiet life so when her uncle asks if Kate can come & help out for a few months she is delighted to escape. While there she meets Tony, an American airman who is interred in a POW camp- Ireland & America not being in the war. When Tony gets the chance to fly again he promises to come back for Kate, however when he leaves she discovers she's pregnant. An unmarried mother is an anathema to the Church. She is whisked off to one of the now infamous Magdalene Laundries where the girls are cruelly treated & their babies are considered to be creatures of sin. Kate is utterly determined that she wants to keep her baby but the nuns have other ideas.
Needless to say the paths will cross & some things seemed a bit too contrived. The story of Kate was pretty horrific especially when you realise that it was in the 80's/90's when the last of these places was finally closed & the truth came out. I was born on the 50's & if the nationality of my parents had been reversed it it probably I would have been born in one of these places. Reading this suddenly made sense of something my adopted Dad said to me when I was talking about marrying- "Does he know where you come from?" At the time I brushed it off but looking back I know there were some of his family that weren't happy about them adopting me. This is definitely a book that makes you think. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book. It will be with me for a long time.
January 24, 2022
Ireland, 1941, Kate lives on her family farm in Ireland taking care of her sick father. While the war rages on Kate meets Tony who is an airman and an American. They fall in love and Tony promises to marry her. But then Tony leaves for duty and he promises her he’ll come back for her. Kate writes letters to Tony telling him that he has a baby girl named Eva. But Kate never heard back from him, so she wonders if he is still alive. Then the unimaginable happens, Eva is taken from Kate. Kate promises Eva that she will never stop looking for her. But time is running out, Kate must escape and find Eva before it’s too late. I was so taken with this story it was unputdownable and I read through the pages lightning fast. I could not wait to see how the story was going to unfold. I was pulled into the story from the very first page. This book literally hit every emotion. I was, happy, sad, heartbroken, hopeful, inspired and tearful. What an absolutely amazing book. I loved this story, it is truly a must read.
Thank you Rachel Wesson for such a wonderful story. I really enjoyed this story as it ignited every emotion. I was completely engrossed in this story from beginning to end unable to stop until the very end. I highly recommend it.
Thank you Rachel Wesson for such a wonderful story. I really enjoyed this story as it ignited every emotion. I was completely engrossed in this story from beginning to end unable to stop until the very end. I highly recommend it.
March 11, 2022
Wow, this book is really amazing. I absolutely loved it, and it really opened my eyes to what went on in the past, in regards to mother and baby homes run by catholic nuns. It is one of the best books I have ever read.
The story is set during world war 2 and afterwards, in Ireland and America. It starts off with a woman called Carol whose dream of being a mother is taken away from her after a severe traumatic episode in her life. Later, we meet Kate, who becomes a single mother to her daughter Ava, while being forced to live in a mother and baby home, which is run by catholic nuns who are evil to the mothers and babies who live there. Carol and Kate's stories are both heartbreaking, and full of loss, but they are also full of hope, inspiration, love and heartwarming times.
The audiobook narrator was fantastic, and she did a good job with the irish, american and english accents.
I highly recommend this book, which is superb, and I look forward to reading more books by this author.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The story is set during world war 2 and afterwards, in Ireland and America. It starts off with a woman called Carol whose dream of being a mother is taken away from her after a severe traumatic episode in her life. Later, we meet Kate, who becomes a single mother to her daughter Ava, while being forced to live in a mother and baby home, which is run by catholic nuns who are evil to the mothers and babies who live there. Carol and Kate's stories are both heartbreaking, and full of loss, but they are also full of hope, inspiration, love and heartwarming times.
The audiobook narrator was fantastic, and she did a good job with the irish, american and english accents.
I highly recommend this book, which is superb, and I look forward to reading more books by this author.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 21, 2022
In reading this book, my heart was broken for so many people who lost family, property and friends during WW11. This is a story of those living in Ireland who suffered poverty, stringent laws not only of the community but of the church, and, the lives of young women who grieved other losses. In the 1940’s, war ravaged Europe, concentration camps in Ireland had Germans as well as Americans. This book describes young men and women who met in pubs, danced when allowed, and, sometimes met someone special. Those lovers often resulted in babies for a gal to care for as the men went back to war. This is the story of Kate Ryan who loved Tony from Colorado and he didn’t return to be the father of Eva. Harsh times were lived as unwed mothers went to orphanage centers to work, live, have the baby and realize that child would not be living their lives with biological Moms. This book is a reality check of situations of pain and suffering; bring out the Kleenex; and, read this amazing book. Thanks to the author for terrific writing!
January 16, 2022
In North Carolina, Carol loses her baby after being in a car accident. Not only did she lose her baby, she will be unable to have another.
In Ireland, Kate falls in love with an American. He leaves for war and she discovers she is pregnant. Her very religious mother forces her into a home for unwed mothers. The home, run by nuns, arranges adoptions in exchange for generous "donations". One day, Kate's daughter is gone. Will she ever see her again?
I did not love this book as much as I expected to. I enjoyed it and it was very enlightening. But I feel it didn't really get deep. Everything was surface level. It didn't make me feel.
I listened to the audio book. While I enjoyed listening to Maeve Smyth with her Irish accent, since half the story took was told from an American, POV, dual narrators would have enhanced it.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
In Ireland, Kate falls in love with an American. He leaves for war and she discovers she is pregnant. Her very religious mother forces her into a home for unwed mothers. The home, run by nuns, arranges adoptions in exchange for generous "donations". One day, Kate's daughter is gone. Will she ever see her again?
I did not love this book as much as I expected to. I enjoyed it and it was very enlightening. But I feel it didn't really get deep. Everything was surface level. It didn't make me feel.
I listened to the audio book. While I enjoyed listening to Maeve Smyth with her Irish accent, since half the story took was told from an American, POV, dual narrators would have enhanced it.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 8, 2022
‘Stolen From Her Mother’ is a heartbreaking and emotional story that portrays the hardships that befell young, unwed, pregnant women who were forced to work under horrendous conditions in the Magdalene laundries in early 20th century Ireland.
No matter the circumstance surrounding a pregnancy (out of wedlock, rape, incest, poverty), unwed women were deemed to be a disgrace to their families and were sent off to convents or homes for unwed mothers and children to be ‘looked after’ during their confinement as they atoned for their sin. Rather than receive the care and support they needed, these ‘fallen women’ were half starved, offered little to no medical care, berated, beaten, and forced to work under horrendous conditions in convent laundries until their babies were born, and once they were born, they were often taken away and ‘sold’ for adoption. Based on true events, this is such a shameful and dark part of Irish history, as well as that of the Catholic Church. These ill-fated babies were considered ‘children of shame’, guilty of being born out of wedlock, and much of their life held this stigma. Their poor mothers spent much of their life paying for their sin.
While the title of this story notes this to be a heartbreaking WWII page turner, this isn’t a war story. In fact, the war only sets a back drop for the conditions of the time. I found the story to be a bit slow to start, but it quickly drew me in as I learned of the cruel and dehumanizing punishments that befell countless young women who were imprisoned in these establishments. The characters were well developed and I quickly became engrossed in the story. Maeve Smyth did a wonderful job narrating with her Irish brogue, but I think my listening pleasure would have been enhanced if their were dual narrators, one with a more pronounced American accent.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the opportunity to listen to an advanced copy of this extraordinary story. #netgalley #bookouture #rachelwesson @netgalley @rachelwesson
No matter the circumstance surrounding a pregnancy (out of wedlock, rape, incest, poverty), unwed women were deemed to be a disgrace to their families and were sent off to convents or homes for unwed mothers and children to be ‘looked after’ during their confinement as they atoned for their sin. Rather than receive the care and support they needed, these ‘fallen women’ were half starved, offered little to no medical care, berated, beaten, and forced to work under horrendous conditions in convent laundries until their babies were born, and once they were born, they were often taken away and ‘sold’ for adoption. Based on true events, this is such a shameful and dark part of Irish history, as well as that of the Catholic Church. These ill-fated babies were considered ‘children of shame’, guilty of being born out of wedlock, and much of their life held this stigma. Their poor mothers spent much of their life paying for their sin.
While the title of this story notes this to be a heartbreaking WWII page turner, this isn’t a war story. In fact, the war only sets a back drop for the conditions of the time. I found the story to be a bit slow to start, but it quickly drew me in as I learned of the cruel and dehumanizing punishments that befell countless young women who were imprisoned in these establishments. The characters were well developed and I quickly became engrossed in the story. Maeve Smyth did a wonderful job narrating with her Irish brogue, but I think my listening pleasure would have been enhanced if their were dual narrators, one with a more pronounced American accent.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the opportunity to listen to an advanced copy of this extraordinary story. #netgalley #bookouture #rachelwesson @netgalley @rachelwesson
January 21, 2022
What a book
This is the first book I have read by Rachel Wesson and I can’t wait to read another
Set in Ireland in 1941 This is the story of a young girl (Kate) who has many struggles. She falls in love with an American airman who has to go off to fight in the war. She then discovers she is pregnant and her family disown her and she is sent to a convent.
The convent is an awful place. She is mistreated and abused, she is a prisoner there. After her baby is born, life doesn’t get much better and her baby is taken away from her and sold without her knowing.
What will happen to Kate and her baby
This is a powerful and moving book I felt so many emotions reading this. The author had me feeling like I was there with Kate. I literally couldn’t put this down
Thank you netgalley and bookoutre for this advance copy
This is the first book I have read by Rachel Wesson and I can’t wait to read another
Set in Ireland in 1941 This is the story of a young girl (Kate) who has many struggles. She falls in love with an American airman who has to go off to fight in the war. She then discovers she is pregnant and her family disown her and she is sent to a convent.
The convent is an awful place. She is mistreated and abused, she is a prisoner there. After her baby is born, life doesn’t get much better and her baby is taken away from her and sold without her knowing.
What will happen to Kate and her baby
This is a powerful and moving book I felt so many emotions reading this. The author had me feeling like I was there with Kate. I literally couldn’t put this down
Thank you netgalley and bookoutre for this advance copy
January 14, 2022
This was an emotional story of 2 women, Kate and Carol, who live extremely different lives, an ocean apart, in the 1940's. Kate's story was one of love, discrimination, cruelty and loss that was so heartbreaking. I couldn't put this book down! I liked the way the story all came together at the end and I was SO happy that at least one nun chose to do the right thing! I can't believe things like this actually happened in Ireland. The way unwed mothers and their children were treated was awful. This the first book that I read by this author but I will be seeking out others in the near future as I really enjoyed this one. Thanks so much to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
January 19, 2022
Thank you Net Galley for an audio copy of Stolen from Her Mother by Rachel Wesson for an honest review. This audiobook is fabulous. The author and narrator portray the story as if it is a true one. I've read many books regarding this issue and this one will stick with me.
January 24, 2022
amazing
I read this book in 1.5 days. Although I thought I could guess what was going to happen, and I have heard of the convents for unmarried mothers, it still shocked me that people could be so cruel! I’m glad the book ended the way it did although I’m sure very few real life stories turned out this way. I love Rachel Wesson’s style of writing and haven’t been disappointed yet.
I read this book in 1.5 days. Although I thought I could guess what was going to happen, and I have heard of the convents for unmarried mothers, it still shocked me that people could be so cruel! I’m glad the book ended the way it did although I’m sure very few real life stories turned out this way. I love Rachel Wesson’s style of writing and haven’t been disappointed yet.
January 26, 2022
I really loved reading this wonderful book! I loved the characters and the plot! I had a hard time putting this wonderful book down!
April 24, 2022
Finished this today, heartbreaking story. At first it kinda dragged on and I was anxious to get to the gist of the story, stolen from her mother. Once I got over a hump it was fast reading and I was up until the wee hours of the morning reading. Looking forward to other books by Rachel Wesson. 4 stars..
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