- Hardcover: 320 pages
- Publisher: David Fickling Books (2 Mar 2006)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0385609698
- ISBN-13: 978-0385609692
- Product Dimensions: 21 x 14.2 x 3.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 332,681 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Nick Tucker, The Independent, March 31, 2006
Movingly written, this debut novel is a fine and memorable achievement.
Julia Eccleshare, lovereading4kids.co.uk, April 4, 2006
A superb first novel, beautifully written, deeply moving and full of heartbreak.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
53 of 54 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
After her mother died, fifteen-year-old Shell is left to take care of her younger brother and sister and her drunken father. They live in a small Irish village in a little farmhouse. Her mother's death has caused her father to drink even more than he did before, and in sudden religious zeal, he goes out daily to make his "collections." These donations are meant for the church, but he takes out more than his fair share before turning in the remains.
Life is difficult. Shell is teased at school and skips out as much as possible. She attempts to look to the church for support, and a new young priest seems to offer a shoulder to lean on. Eventually, Shell seeks emotional release in a relationship with an older boy. They begin a secret relationship spent mostly hidden in the barley field where Declan takes advantage of Shell's need for tenderness. The inevitable happens - Shell becomes pregnant. Without her mother to confide in, Shell hides her condition, using a stolen library book to help her understand what is about to happen.
Shell is an amazing young girl. She struggles to hold the family together and deal with her circumstances as best she can. As the story unfolds, readers will be surprised at the unpredictable turn of events for Shell, her father, the young priest, and all involved in the unfortunate tragedy.
A SWIFT PURE CRY uses Irish dialect and lyrical prose to draw the reader into Shell's world. Her courage and faith shine clearly through this heartbreaking tale.
Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"
Life is difficult. Shell is teased at school and skips out as much as possible. She attempts to look to the church for support, and a new young priest seems to offer a shoulder to lean on. Eventually, Shell seeks emotional release in a relationship with an older boy. They begin a secret relationship spent mostly hidden in the barley field where Declan takes advantage of Shell's need for tenderness. The inevitable happens - Shell becomes pregnant. Without her mother to confide in, Shell hides her condition, using a stolen library book to help her understand what is about to happen.
Shell is an amazing young girl. She struggles to hold the family together and deal with her circumstances as best she can. As the story unfolds, readers will be surprised at the unpredictable turn of events for Shell, her father, the young priest, and all involved in the unfortunate tragedy.
A SWIFT PURE CRY uses Irish dialect and lyrical prose to draw the reader into Shell's world. Her courage and faith shine clearly through this heartbreaking tale.
Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"
27 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I really enjoyed this book and was captivated from the first page.
It is a beautifully written, thought provoking novel, dealing sensitively with the complexities of love, loss and faith.
The characters are well developed and believable. I was entranced by fifteen year old Shell, whose courage and emotional strength is inspirational.
I found the story uplifting but at times heartbreaking. Ultimately I was filled with a sense of hope throughout.
33 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I couldn't put it down - the most compelling, beautifully written book I have read for a very long time. Shell is a heartbreakingly lovely heroine and the book is written with such a lightness of touch and depth of feeling that what is essentially a tragic story is ultimately uplifting and full of hope.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
really grubby and unpleasant
This books conditon is most displeasing. It is grubby, old, creased, faded and generally undesirable. It has put me off reading it. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Annie
Dowd credits YA readers with some intelligence - lovely
This book is published under a "young adult" imprint, but the issues Dowd so deftly works through here are universal and, while Shell, the protagonist, is a teenage girl, I believe... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Penelope Pitstop
gorgeous
Shell feels invisible; her mum is dead and dad dosen't care. She looks after her brother and sister and tries not to get in her dad's way, but then a young minister comes to her... Read more
Published 18 months ago by bookworm
Tragic and so compelling
What a fabulous read! I raced through it in a day and just couldnt put it down.
I thought this was one of the most compelling and beautifully written books that I have... Read more
I thought this was one of the most compelling and beautifully written books that I have... Read more
Published on 3 July 2009 by Lincs Reader
Powerful Without Judgement
This book was recommended to me by one of the librarians at the Birr Library Co Offaly during a recent holiday in Birr during January, 2009. Read more
Published on 11 Jun 2009 by Wendy Lohse
Heartbreaking, but lovely....
This is a really thought provoking book which is aimed squarely at teenage girls, however I am sure many adults would enjoy it also. Read more
Published on 16 Mar 2009 by Catrin Williams
Disappointing
Having read the other books by her, I was keen to read this one, plus my friend thought it was amazing. I got through it quickly, partly because I wanted it to end or get better. Read more
Published on 18 May 2008 by Karen Gregory
A lovely book
I read this book last year as part of the Carnegie Award with two of my friends. We each had to choose a book randomly out of a carrier bag and I ended up with this one. Read more
Published on 3 May 2008 by J. Vandome
Best book I've read this year so far!
This book is amazing. From the opening page, the author is able to transfix and captivate the reader. The tale is told by a heart moving heroine, shell, who has a troubled life. Read more
Published on 25 April 2008 by Mgb Finan
A fantastic read for bright children
I really enjoyed reading this book and found Dowd's lyrical style to be addictive. It is set in Ireland and the imagery magically paints a picture of the scenery, clothes and... Read more
Published on 28 Mar 2008 by skivoogle
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