- Paperback: 431 pages
- Publisher: The Drumkeen Press (July 2006)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0955355206
- ISBN-13: 978-0955355202
- Product Dimensions: 20.6 x 14.8 x 3.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 245,563 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Book Description
Less than 100 years ago a form of slavery still persisted in parts of rural
Ireland - the hiring fair system. Children as young as seven or eight were
sold for fixed periods by their impoverished parents to farmers who worked
them to the bone,treating them often as little more than cattle. Often
worse.
Ireland - the hiring fair system. Children as young as seven or eight were
sold for fixed periods by their impoverished parents to farmers who worked
them to the bone,treating them often as little more than cattle. Often
worse.
THE DONEGAL WOMAN is based on a true story of the author's own grandmother.
Born to the poorest of Protestant farmers in the hills of Donegal, Margaret
was hired out as a child, raped by her master, and then, pregnant, forced
to marry another man many times her age. But Margaret survived in a silent
world of her own, driven by her passionate determination to do right by her
children.
Reviving the tradition of three of Ulster's great radical writers, Peadar
o' Donnell, Patrick MacGill and Sam Hannah Bell, this author, in his first
novel, has captured the authentic voice of a woman of extraordinary
spirit.
From the Publisher
HIRED OUT AT TWELVE, RAPED AND ABUSED, MARGARET FOUGHT BACK
AND CREATED A LIFE FOR HERSELF AND HER CHILDREN. WATCHFUL,RESOURCEFUL AND
BRAVE, THIS IRISH HEROINE BROUGHT TO THEIR LIVES NOT ONLY SURVIVAL BUT JOY.
A COMPELLING STORY, TOLD WITH RARE TENDERNESS AND POWER
AND CREATED A LIFE FOR HERSELF AND HER CHILDREN. WATCHFUL,RESOURCEFUL AND
BRAVE, THIS IRISH HEROINE BROUGHT TO THEIR LIVES NOT ONLY SURVIVAL BUT JOY.
A COMPELLING STORY, TOLD WITH RARE TENDERNESS AND POWER
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Life is hard and then you die,
By
This review is from: The Donegal Woman (Paperback)
Whoever said that first may have had the Donegal Woman in mind.
I found this book fascinating. The story is about the life of one woman (the author's grandmother)and how the social system of the day (pre WWI Ireland) culminated in not only the rape of her body, but her spirit as well. But, it is also the story of how this woman found a reason to live and if not thrive, at least to overcome, through a series of small almost imperceptible victories. The author paints a picture of how the social system, the huge disparity between the Haves (the landowners) and the Have Nots (the working man), and the "hiring out system" have an inpact on not only this woman and her family, but all of Ireland. I found the details of everyday life in rural Ireland from the perspective of the working class fascinating. We usually read history in terms of, and as written by, the rulers, politicians and the wealthy. This social and historical perspective from the bottom of the economic ladder is eye-opening, in the least.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Heartbreaking,
By
This review is from: The Donegal Woman (Paperback)
The Donegal Woman is possibly one of the most heart-breaking stories that I have read. Although a novel, it is based on the story of John Throne's grandmother Margaret who was hired out by her penniless parents when she was only 12. Margaret was treated worse than any animal and slept in the barn with only pigs and cats for company - she wasnt spoken to by the farmers - but she was raped and became pregnant. She was then sold on to another man as his wife - again she was treated no better than a slave - her husband never actually spoke to her, just grunted.
The style of writing is quite mesmirising in parts - the main characters of Margaret and her husband Campbell never speak to each other, so the story is told through their thoughts. Both ot them are anguished characters, beaten down by the system, by poverty and by a lack of love and compassion. As Margarets gets a little older and as she bears child after child, she begins to find a voice. Her love for her children and her determination that they should not endure the same kind of life that she has strengthens her and scares Campbell - but makes both of them think about the situation they find themselves in. This is not a story with a happy-ever-after feel - it is based on true, hard facts. My own family are from Donegal and I could imagine the bleakness of the countryside whilst reading the story. It is written with so much compassion and feeling and left me a little stunned at the end.
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book will have you cryin,
By
This review is from: The Donegal Woman (Paperback)
O my goodness such a sad book. I don't live a million miles from Donegal and never thought anyone could live like this. Treated no better than an animal she was deprived of respect and any tenderness and in fact only found love when she had her children. As a previous reviewer said there is no happy ending but after leaving the book down I came away with the feeling that she had accomplished a few small things which were so important to her like the outside toilet and better food. It's a real tearjerker but I ask that you read this book. You will feel eternally grateful for the life you have after reading it
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