Book cover of A History of Loneliness

Book description

Odran Yates enters Clonliffe Seminary in 1972 after his mother informs him that he has a vocation to the priesthood. He goes in full of ambition and hope, dedicated to his studies and keen to make friends. Forty years later, Odran's devotion has been challenged by the revelations that have…

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Why read it?

1 author picked A History of Loneliness as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

The honesty of the book surprised me. The author, an Irishman, didn’t hold back in detailing the terrible part the Catholic Church played in Ireland, when many children were the victims of abuse by priests. Most young men who joined the priesthood had a vocation, but others merely followed family tradition or were victims of family pressures. So, where does the blame lie?

The victims and the accused are fundamental to the book, but as important are the witnesses who did nothing to protect the children. I was drawn into the dilemma of the main character. It left me wondering…

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Book cover of You Yet Shall Die

You Yet Shall Die by Jennifer Barraclough,

"I'm Nicky. Your little sister." With these words from a stranger, Hilda's quiet existence in a marshland cottage with her rescue cats is turned upside down. She resolves to find out the truth about her parents' marriage, her father's secret life and her mother's untimely death. 

Hilda’s brother Dunstan is…

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