Books like A Swift Pure Cry by Siobhan Dowd
Set in 1984 rural Ireland, the story follows Shell as she struggles to care for her younger siblings after her mother’s death and her father’s descent into alcoholism. The only respite she finds is a spiritual bond with a young priest and a budding friendship with Declan, a charming, eloquent boy. When Declan abruptly departs for America seeking fortune, Shell discovers she is pregnant, thrusting her into a scandal that ripples through her tight-knit community and reverberates across the country. The novel explores themes of love, loss, religious belief, and the enduring impact of family turmoil.
First publish date: 2007
Genre: Children's Fiction/Children's Adventure
Authors: Siobhan Dowd
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