A Swift Pure Cry

Set in rural Ireland in 1984, "A Swift Pure Cry" tells the harrowing story of fifteen-year-old Shell Talent. After her mother's death, Shell is left to shoulder the burden of caring for her younger siblings as her father succumbs to alcoholic depression. Her only solace comes from a budding relationship with a childhood friend, Declan, which tragically leaves her pregnant and alone. As Shell secretly navigates her pregnancy and the subsequent stillbirth, a second baby is found dead, plunging the community into a scandal that places Shell under intense suspicion. This novel is a deeply moving exploration of grief, resilience, societal hypocrisy, and the devastating impact of secrets in a tight-knit, religiously conservative community. It is inspired by real-life events in Ireland, offering a raw and unflinching look at a young girl's struggle for survival and truth.

Ireland 1984.After Shell's mother dies, her obsessively religious father descends into alcoholic mourning and Shell is left to care for her younger brother and sister. Her only release from the harshness of everyday life comes from her budding spiritual friendship with a naive young priest, and most importantly, her developing relationship with childhood friend, Declan, who is charming, eloquent, and persuasive. But when Declan suddenly leaves Ireland to seek his fortune in America, Shell finds herself pregnant and the center of a scandal that rocks the small community in which she lives, with repercussions across the whole country. The lives of those immediately around her will never be the same again.This is a story of love and loss, religious belief and spirituality--it will move the hearts of any who read it.From the Hardcover edition.