A Swift Pure Cry: Amazon.co.uk: Siobhan Dowd: 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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Julia Eccleshare, lovereading4kids.co.uk, April 4, 2006
A superb first novel, beautifully written, deeply moving and full of heartbreak. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Customer Reviews

14 Reviews

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

Average Customer Review

4.2 out of 5 stars (14 customer reviews)

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47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too, 10 April 2007

By	TeensReadToo "Eat. Drink. Read. Be Merrier." (All Over the US & Canada) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

This review is from: A Swift Pure Cry (Definitions) (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"

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21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A swift pure cry Review March 2006, 23 Mar 2006

By	Mr M Davison (Swansea, South Wales United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Swift Pure Cry (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.

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29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, 13 April 2006

By	William (Lincoln) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Swift Pure Cry (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

5.0 out of 5 stars 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... Read more

Published 10 days ago by Lincs Reader

5.0 out of 5 stars 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 1 month ago by Wendy Lohse

4.0 out of 5 stars 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 4 months ago by Catrin Williams

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing
Having read the other books by her, I was keen to read this one, plus my friend thought it was amazing. Read more

Published 14 months ago by Karen Gregory

5.0 out of 5 stars 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 14 months ago by J. Vandome

5.0 out of 5 stars 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. Read more

Published 14 months ago by Mgb Finan

5.0 out of 5 stars 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 15 months ago by James Haynes

4.0 out of 5 stars Well written with a good twist
Although this storyline has been endlessly covered before - Irish Catholic family living in poverty, father a Bible-bashing alcoholic, priests, a main character who is a naive... Read more

Published 16 months ago by H.P.

1.0 out of 5 stars I just don't see the appeal.
After reading the reviews of this novel, I thought I'd go to the library to see what all the fuss is about. I still don't know what the fuss is about. Read more

Published 19 months ago by Liz

4.0 out of 5 stars An Okay Read.
This book was okay, if a little dull at points. The story line seems rather coincedental much of the time, but I did not struggle to read it; the more I read, the more I had to... Read more

Published 23 months ago by R. H. Collington

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A Swift Pure Cry (Hardcover)

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