Review: An Engrossing and Enjoyable Novel
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 24, 2012
No Country for Young Women works on so many levels. While I was initially concerned that it might be a women's novel, I soon found otherwise, and quickly became engrossed in the experiences of Megan, her mother, Agnes, and the other compelling characters portrayed therein.Megan was born in the United States and moved with her mother to Ireland as a young girl. We see the Irish culture of the time through her eyes, both the good things and the things that are downright awful. She's an engaging character who we first see wearing trousers to school to hide the bruises on her legs left by her abusive stepfather. That initial attempt to conceal is in many ways symbolic of a country where religion is a major part of everyday life, and the injustices that are inflicted on the less fortunate are glossed over in the name of propriety and conformance with church law. For example, Agnes and the other women who had been abused by their husbands are taken to task for not returning home and obeying their marriage vows.It's a well-written, absorbing tale that never falters as Megan exposes the abuses of the Magdalen Laundries, the conditions in the country's Children's Homes, the ill-treatment of women, the abuse of children by clergy and the blurred roles of church and state in Ireland at the time. There's also a fascinating look at social activism, at the ability of individuals to make a difference. No Country is a legal thriller, a coming of age tale and a historical snapshot of Catholic Ireland in the mid 20th Century.I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading other works by this author.