In 1963, Angela Brown was 19, enjoying her first job working in the City of London, when her life turned upside down. A brief fling with a charismatic charmer left her pregnant, unmarried and facing a stark future. Not yet 21, she was still under the governance of her parents, strict Catholics who insisted she have the baby in secret and then put it up for adoption. Forced to leave her job and her family, Angela was sent to a convent in Essex for her 'confinement'. Run like a Victorian workhouse, she was vilified by the nuns for her 'wickedness'. After a terrifying labour with no pain relief, Angela gave birth to a beautiful son, Paul. At eight weeks he was taken from her and forcibly put up for adoption, leaving Angela heartbroken. Not a day went by without Angela thinking about him. Then, thirty years later, a letter came. It was from Paul, and a reunion was arranged. This vital slice of social history is a shocking reminder of how attitudes have changed around the issue of single motherhood since the early 1960s. It is also an honest, heartfelt memoir that explores the closest of human bonds.
The Baby Laundry for Unmarried Mothers
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About the Author
Angela Patrick was born and raised in Essex and has remained in the south east of England all her life. After her marriage she moved to Kent where she now lives working part time for a local council. Lynne Barrett-Lee is a successful novelist and non-fiction features writer for magazines including Woman, Woman's Own, Best, Take a Break and Good Housekeeping. She has been published in numerous languages and works as a part-time writing tutor.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By Prestonlass
Format:Paperback
Couldn't put this book down and I felt I really knew the author by the end. It was a sad reminder of how badly unmarried mothers were treated in the early sixties and how cruel the nuns were to these girls and their babies. I think all Catholics should read this book.It makes one wonder how many lives were ruined by these so called women of God. It would be interesting to know when the convent actually closed or stopped taking unmarried mothers in.
33 of 34 people found the following review helpful
By Becca
Format:Paperback
I read this book in a matter of hours because the story was just so compelling. This book is important in the fact that it shows us the horror of what is was to be an unmarried Catholic girl in the 1960's. Although some sections of the book are hard to read due to the sheer awfulness that was bestowed upon the young girls sent to the convent for being pregnant, we have to remember that this is a true story and that these young girls suffered horrifically , and that we are the lucky ones as we are only reading about it.
Read this book, if only to learn about how lucky women are in the UK in the year 2012, as it was only over 50 years ago that this true story is set. And you won't believe that what you are reading really happened.
Read this book, if only to learn about how lucky women are in the UK in the year 2012, as it was only over 50 years ago that this true story is set. And you won't believe that what you are reading really happened.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Annie
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book really got to me. The way unmarried pregnant girls were treated in the 60s was shocking. I found the part where her son finds her particularly poignant and moving. An excellent book which certainly moved me. Read it!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good read
Readable, thought it was okay! Expected it to be a lot worse at the convent..But very sad that these girls had to give their babies up because of religion.
Published 20 hours ago by Mrs. S. J. Dugdale
4.0 out of 5 stars
good read
This book takes you back to a time where unmarried mother's where put to shame. The family gave her no support at all I would be ashamed if I treated my daughter's that way. Read more
Published 8 days ago by donna langfear
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very moving!
This book is well written and very moving. It contains detail of the time and situation as well as emotion. It really draws you in and has you feeling for those involved. Read more
Published 15 days ago by K. A. Dowen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book.
Excellent book at a great price, the service was excellent. Would certainly recommend and would buy again without any hesitation.
Published 1 month ago by R. Primrose
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best book around.....
I was totally entranced with this book,read it in two afternoons,so very honestly written ,can recommend it to all A+++++++++
Published 1 month ago by Mrs. M. Cummins
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Baby Laundry for Unmarried Mothers by Angela Patrick, Lynne...
A very moving story incorporating societies changing views towards unmarried mother's. From start to finish a book I could not wait to get back to, from start to finish its... Read more
Published 1 month ago by mary hadland
5.0 out of 5 stars
an excellent read
Well written and easy to read. Most interesting facts and emotions expressed. Wanted to read the next chapter. Would highly recommend.
Published 2 months ago by Mrs S J Stenhouse
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sad but true
I enjoyed this book immensely, great and very detailed recollection of the period. Couldn't put this down until i was finished it!
Published 2 months ago by SNTM
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Read
This book could almost have been my own story, as with the author Angela Patrick, I have been re-united with my son (also named Paul) after 40 years. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Deirdre Homes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
Loved this book and it makes you realise how harsh those times were. Would recommend this book to those who enjoy history.
Published 2 months ago by Mrs K Lee
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