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, charming, eloquent and persuasive. But when Declan suddenly leaves Ireland to seek his fortune in America, Shell finds herself pregnant and the centre 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.
Siobhan Dowd
Siobhan Dowd was an Irish writer known for her impactful and emotional young adult novels. Her most notable works include "A Swift Pure Cry," "The London Eye Mystery," and "Bog Child." Dowd's writing style was characterized by its powerful storytelling, rich character development, and exploration of social issues. She had a profound impact on the young adult genre, addressing themes such as poverty, family dynamics, and mental health with sensitivity and depth. Dowd's most famous work, "The London Eye Mystery," received critical acclaim and won the NASEN/TES Special Educational Needs Children's Book Award. Despite her untimely death in 2007, Siobhan Dowd continues to be remembered for her contributions to literature and her ability to connect with readers on a deep and emotional level.
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