
White Linen
Martin Howe(Author)
Matador (Publisher)
Published on 28. November 2018
Book
Paperback/Softback
304 pages
978-1-78901-596-6 (ISBN)
Description
In this gripping story of betrayal by friends, family and the church, Martin Howe explores the relationship between individuals and a society which holds moral codes of behaviour in high regard. White Linen exposes the corrupting influence such constraints can have at all levels of society and on many of the people concerned.
Set in Dublin in the mid-1990s, the action centres on the closure of the last remaining 'Magdalen Laundry', where women who had transgressed moral boundaries were sent. The book follows four of the 'Magdalen women' who have spent the best part of their lives confined there and working for no pay. Readers join the women as they have their final drink at the local bar before going their separate ways. The emotions of leaving prompt the women to reminisce, revealing profoundly shocking secrets which fundamentally change everything they believed about themselves and their so-called friends. Relationships that have endured for decades are fractured, new bitter-sweet alliances are briefly formed, and everyone emerges in a different light. It all comes together in a surprising revelatory ending.
White Linen is about ageing and the compromises that are made with a painful past that appears to grow more alluring over time. The narrative deals uncompromisingly the imperfections of memory, but is also a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Above all, the novel tells of the moral hypocrisy and the appalling treatment of women by society, sanctioned by the religious establishment of the time.
Set in Dublin in the mid-1990s, the action centres on the closure of the last remaining 'Magdalen Laundry', where women who had transgressed moral boundaries were sent. The book follows four of the 'Magdalen women' who have spent the best part of their lives confined there and working for no pay. Readers join the women as they have their final drink at the local bar before going their separate ways. The emotions of leaving prompt the women to reminisce, revealing profoundly shocking secrets which fundamentally change everything they believed about themselves and their so-called friends. Relationships that have endured for decades are fractured, new bitter-sweet alliances are briefly formed, and everyone emerges in a different light. It all comes together in a surprising revelatory ending.
White Linen is about ageing and the compromises that are made with a painful past that appears to grow more alluring over time. The narrative deals uncompromisingly the imperfections of memory, but is also a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Above all, the novel tells of the moral hypocrisy and the appalling treatment of women by society, sanctioned by the religious establishment of the time.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Market Harborough
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Troubador Publishing
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 138 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-78901-596-6 (9781789015966)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Martin Howe previously worked in senior editorial, production, presentation and reporting roles in television, radio and online for the BBC and Channel 4. He escapes factual news by writing literary fiction. He lives in St Albans, Hertfordshire.