Kathy's Story: The True Story of a Childhood Hell Inside Ireland's Magdalen Laundries (Paperback)

~ (Author) "I am now in my 40s..." (more)
Key Phrases: reformatory school, Reverend Mother, Our Lady, Phil Garland (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Kathy O’Beirne was sexually abused at eight, labeled "troublesome" by a psychiatrist, and sent to reform school. After being raped by a visiting priest, she was transferred to a psychiatric hospital and subjected to electric shock therapy. At 12, she ended up in a Magdalen laundry, the notorious workhouses where thousands of other "troublesome" girls were incarcerated, abused, and forced to slave in horrendous conditions. In unflinching detail, yet illuminated by strength and hope, Kathy’s Story recounts her harrowing experiences, remarkable survival, and campaign to help other victims of institutional abuse.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Greystone Books (March 8, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1553651685
• ISBN-13: 978-1553651680
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #814,094 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars Sucks, October 29, 2009

By	Linda Tindell "LT" (No Calif) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

After reading several chapters, I looked up the author only to discover she had been discredited by her family and facts surrounding her life. I can't believe this book is still selling. From what I can tell, it is still discredited. I stopped reading it. I feel duped.

2.0 out of 5 stars Scary, but poorly written, December 28, 2008

By	daylyn finnegan (New Hampshire) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

While I'm sorry she had such terrible experiences, and it truly was awful what she went through, what a terribly written book! Full of trite statements, she writes from a total victim's mentality and obsesses over what could have been different if only someone would have talked to her...yet when given a chance to talk, she stays mute and wonders why she is subjected to more. I was glad just to have finished it and wondered if I could find a better book of the Magdalene Laundries since it seems she wasn't there for very long. She was just abused in many different places.

0 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read!!, December 21, 2007

By	S. Stokes (Dublin, Ireland) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a brilliant, heart rending true story. I read it twice already and am sure I'll go back to it again. Buy it as you won't be disappointed!