Forbidden Fruit

by Annie Murphy, Peter de Rosa

A woman describes the story of her affair with Eamonn Casey, who later becomes the Bishop of Galway, the birth of their son, and her years of hardship. Reprint.

Genres: Nonfiction

385 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Kathie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I began reading this book with some reluctance thinking it was another woman trying to bring down the church but as I progressed I became more angry with the bishop for professing he was carrying on the affair to make her well again.

Bishop Eamonn Casey appeared to be self-centered, hypacrytical and even abusive. And yet Annie would sacrifice seemingly meaningful relationships with other men to take up with the bishop again after thosuands of miles and years of separation. Neither Annie nor the bishop are without blame. By the end of the book I could barely stand him for the double public/private life he led and I thought her a fool. My sympathy lies with their son, Peter.

Annie continued to love the bishop and defended him to her son. Peter makes attempts to meet his father and is hardly given two minutes. When I read the following exchange between mother and son I rejoiced that someone finally "got it".

"To my utter suprise, Peter said, 'He is totally corrupt.'
I lifted my hand to slap his face but he did not flinch. 'Didn't you ever hear, Mom, that all power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely? Well, that's him.'"

I was suprised that while Peter attempts to carry out his plan to entrap the bishop he observes actions between his mother and the bishop that it is obvious that a love still exists between them. Although her lapse into his control again angered me it was important for Peter to know that he was a product of a real loving relationship.

The sexual details were a bit much but sex helps to sell books.

Photos of Annie, Eamonn and Peter included in the book help the reader to grasp the reality of the relationship. Photos of other family members who supported her through her rough times are also included.

Descriptions of Ireland were particularly interesting to me having traveled there recently. Her writings of the city of Dublin, the towns of Killarny and Kinsale, and the narrow winding roads, the hills, the mist, and the sheep brought back memories.

[Patricia Hillman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life of deception

This story was wistful, tearful, and full of sadness. As a Catholic myself I have never agreed with everything in place that the church has tried to enforce. This book absolutely is an example why. If as ✝️ Christians no matter whom you worship your God mad Adam & Ev to be together. Who is a church to say that as man, you have to give up what God has wanted for you in the first place, a family. You can teach the word of God as a family. You can also reach many more parishioners as a family and understand family matters more also. Celibacy is unnatural and cruel to think a man has to give up a family too.

[Liam O'Keeffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

When this book came out first back in 1993 I was 17 and was in higher school in rural Ireland. In Killorglin actually which is a town mentioned in Annie’s book. The story broke the year before and at first I didn’t believe it the same way I did not believe the rumours of sexual abuse of children by priests. The Catholic Church was just beginning to loose it’s control of Irish society. I knew, coming from New York City originally that the Catholic Church in Ireland was different in Ireland compared to USA. Sinead O’Connor became a hero in Ireland when she tore up a picture of pope John Paul ii. Though her career in North America was ended because of it. Catholics in that part of the world love priests but don’t do what they tell them to do. Any Christian, any lover of Kerry, any person should read forbidden fruit by Annie Murphy. It’s well written and quick to get through. The updated 1994 edition which I read mentions Veronica Guerin interviewd Casey. That didn’t stop her being murdered by criminals a few years later. An excellent read. Highly recommended. God bless

[Pete · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stars are for the laughs even though this book isn’t meant to be funny! No-one comes out of this book well, least of all the neurotic, over-blown narrator. She writes so badly it’s a sadistic joy to read. Such detail about colitis, anal and periods and then such matter-of-fact brevity about several suicide attempts. This book is a mad ride and you never know where the mentalist bint is going to go next! I actually feel sorry for her son having to read not only of the Bishop’s rejections but the intimate details of his multiple entries into his mother!

[Dimana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Разочарование. Не, че историята предполага друга развръзка или други усещания, докато я четеш. Просто книгата е написана сухо, без никакво усилие да предизвика интерес, без никакъв стил.
История, уж като от приказките, с цялата греховност на една такава връзка, но и с последствия, които трудно се преглъщат. Когато вярата и дългът застанат на пътя на любовта, всичко остава на заден план.

[Martta]

Kirjan kertomus on tositarina, se kertoo Irlantilaisen piispan ja nuoren naisen rakkaustarinan. Päivänvalossa suhdetta ei ole, mutta katseilta piilossa suhde on kiihkeä. Suhde kesti muutaman vuoden, sen seurauksena syntyi poika ”kielletty hedelmä”.

Kirja on ollut vuosia hyllyssäni. Tartuin siihen nyt koska se sopi Helmet lukuhaasteeseen. Kuvittelin tarinaa hieman toisenlaiseksi ja odotin innolla kauniita maisemakuvauksia. Niitä ei tullut, sen sijaan petipuuhia kuvattiin pajon, vähempikin olisi riittänyt, sillä piispan irstailu tuli kyllä selväksi.

Itse mietin tarinan osalta ihmisten outoja moraalikäsityksiä, ensin halutaan seksiä, mutta ehkäisyä ei hyväksytä, kun sen johdosta tullaan raskaaksi, niin pitäisi tehdä abortti. Annie halusi pitää lapsen, eikä murtunut painostuksen alla. Hän hyväksyi ettei piispa tunnusta lastaan, mutta myöhemmin hän kuitenkin vaati elatusapua. Poika halusi isänsä tunnustavan hänet ja Annie oli valmis julkaisemaan tarinan. Kirja aiheutti aikanaan suuren skandaalin, joka johti piispan eroon.

Helmet 16/2024 Kirjassa on valokuvia

[Siobhán · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't say I truly "liked" this book, as it was a sad story of a reality that should not have played out the way that it did. It is a thought provoking book which left many things to ponder about humanity.

[Kit · Rating 2 out of 5]

Trashy account of this affair.