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The Donegal Woman Paperback – 1 Sept. 2006

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 39 ratings

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.

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.

Product description

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

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ The Drumkeen Press (1 Sept. 2006)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 260 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0955355206
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0955355202
  • Customer reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 39 ratings

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John Throne
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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
39 global ratings

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Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 February 2017
    what a life some of these women had , a little repetitive in parts but maybe its needed for some people ? , I loved the way she thought how to help her situation and if he had been half a man they could have achieved so much more together , necessity is the mother of invention , the story is based on the authors grandmother , quite a bigger book than I was expecting but finished it in under three days ,like other review I was a bit stunned and emotional by the ending , and wanting to know more of what happened , but good book
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 May 2017
    Probably the best book I have ever read. I just couldn't put it down even reading while stirring the gravy for dinner. The fact that it was a true story was even more interesting
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 September 2017
    My mum thinks it's sad but gritty real life brilliant Would recommend !
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 October 2017
    Actually was a copy signed by the author in reasonably good condition.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 January 2015
    Wonderful, life-changing book. Was out of print, but I bought this copy for 1p. Cover a little grubby but cleaned up perfectly.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 July 2013
    The lady is very very happy with the book and if she is happy then I am happy. Thank you for keeping the peace
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 July 2014
    very good read.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 February 2013
    This story deals with the author's grand mother who was hired out as a child servant in early 1900s Donegal. She is raped, made pregnant ,and married off to an older man he takes her on basically for the price of a cow and a couple of chickens. She has an incredibly hard life. Her life is paralleled by the momentous events of 1913 to 1919, which are described so simplistically it could have been a children's history book from the 50s
    I do not deny these events happened, personally I learned nothing new from this story. It managed to bore, sentimentalise, lecture, and over simplify the experience. The author is a Marxist and socialist and this book reads like the sort of propaganda we associate with soviet Russia both economically and sexually. There are clearly defined baddies and they could not be any badder if they wore black hats, capes and twirled their moustaches. The protagonists are single dimensioned, mere ciphers. The dream sequences are so preachy I could nearly see it biblical terms.
    BY the end of this book we get it times were tough, for all sections of the community except the rich and the powerful. If they had embraced their commonality and worked together they would all have been better off. That is as true today as it was then. This book did not improve my understanding. It could have done so much
    The hiring fairs are mentioned but never detailed, the attitudes of poor protestants could have been explored This author is no Sam Hanna Bell, or Patrick Magill.
    What a wasted opportunity
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • terry w.
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Truth
    Reviewed in the United States on 30 July 2017
    The story of this young girl and the use and violent abuse she suffered was horrendous,
    However, it raises awareness, it needed to be told, it touches all emotions, but makes you stronger for never to let this type of history to be repeated again, in our country, globally and across all classes and denominations.
    Tough story to read, but well done, John Throne
  • Taylor
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this book and it's description of Ireland's history
    Reviewed in the United States on 5 September 2017
    Loved this book and it's description of Ireland's history. Ireland is a beautiful country, but it has suffered. This book tells one woman's story. It is and well written as it is difficult to read at times. Definitely tears.
  • MCS
    5.0 out of 5 stars Must read!
    Reviewed in the United States on 10 February 2017
    Must read! Very painful, moving, intriguing