The secret scripture

a novel

by

312 pages

English language

Published July 15, 2009 by Faber.

ISBN:
978-0-571-21529-4
Copied ISBN!
OCLC Number:
300404404

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4 stars (1 review)

Nearing her 100th birthday, Roseanne faces an uncertain future, as the mental hospital where she's spent the best part of her adult life prepares for closure. Over the weeks leading up to this upheaval, she talks often with her psychiatrist Dr Grene. This relationship intensifies as he mourns the death of his wife.

2 editions

reviewed The secret scripture by Sebastian Barry

Review of 'The secret scripture' on 'GoodReads'

4 stars

A dark and engaging story that takes into account the life of ordinary people in Ireland at the time of the War of Independence and the follow-on Civil Way (1916-22). The protagonist, Roseanne, has her story told from diary entries recounting her memory from her childhood and young adulthood at this period. Well crafted, at times brilliantly written with a narrative that is careful not to choose sides in a complex recent history. Well worth a read, albeit the main story is a little too nicely wrapped up at its conclusion.

Subjects

  • Social conditions
  • Physician and patient
  • Older women
  • Fiction

Places

  • Sligo (Ireland)
  • Ireland
  • Sligo