The Amendments, by Naimh Mulvey - Ann
Being a quarter Irish and having only lived in England, I read this book as I wanted to know more about what it was like to be a woman in Ireland - from young to old - over the last couple of centuries. The book certainly did not disappoint. I learnt a lot and couldn’t put it down.
The Amendments concentrates Nell and the roles of three generations of women in her large Catholic family, where traditionally, children do not get a full education because of the need to work in order to bring money into the family. Then later, when education improves, the effects this has on their family relationships. The journey Nell goes through before coming out as gay, alongside living with the effect of something she did as a teenager, eats away at her, affecting her ability to have normal relationships. Eventually this secret needs to be told.
Alongside all the family drama, the Abortion Amendments of the Women’s Rights movement crop up in this story. I really enjoyed learning about history as a novel, as it makes it so much easier to read. This book will certainly stay on my bookshelf.
Ann
