The Secret Scripture – Sebastian Barry

A good read, in which we follow two accounts of the childhood and early womanhood of Roseanne Clear. Roseanne’s own account, of growing up and falling in love in a small coastal community in the northwest of the island of Ireland in the early part of the twentieth century, is beautifully told.

Interspersed and interleaved we have her psychiatrist, Dr Grene,’s narrative, which draws upon the written records of Roscommon Mental Hospital and the institutional system in which Roseanne has spent most of her adult life. Using both accounts, Sebastian Barry illustrates Irish social, religious and political attitudes and history of the past 100 years.

The only downside? The Eastenders-eque denouement.

Amazon.co.uk link: The Secret Scripture – Sebastian Barry