The Secret Scripture

By: Sebastian Barry

Narrated by: Wanda McCaddon

Length: 9 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

Roseanne McNulty, once one of the most beautiful and beguiling girls in County Sligo, Ireland, is now an elderly patient at Roscommon Regional Mental Hospital. As her 100th year draws near, she decides to record the events of her life, hiding the manuscript beneath the floorboards.

Meanwhile, the hospital is preparing to close and is evaluating its patients to determine whether they can return to society. Dr. Grene, Roseanne's caretaker, takes a special interest in her case. In his research, he discovers a document written by a local priest that tells a very different story of Roseanne's life than what she recalls. As doctor and patient attempt to understand each other, they begin to uncover long-buried secrets about themselves. Set against an Ireland besieged by conflict, The Secret Scripture is an epic story of love, betrayal, and unavoidable tragedy.

©2008 Sebastian Barry (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Above all it is the surpassing quality of Mr. Barry's language that gives it its power....It is like a song, with all the pulse of the Irish language, a song sung liltingly and plaintively from the top of Ben Bulben into the airy night." ( New York Times)

good twist very good book

book kind of starts slow intrigues you enough for what remains and ends strong enjoyed

Different from my normal reading.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I enjoyed this story of an elderly lady in a mental hospital. Hearing the snippits of her life and how she ended up where she was fascinated me.

Beautiful story of two lost souls

There were times when I almost quit listening because of the pain and vulnerability of Roseanne. I'm very glad I persevered because the ending was so satisfying even if it requires a bit of suspension of plausibility. This is a very Irish story in its melancholy, and Roseanne's voice is written in beautiful prose. I came to love her and Dr Green.

Sad Story, Warm Ending

A reminder of how repressive society was as we entered the 1900s. An unknown friend lacks the clout to keep the heroine from a being locked in a mental asylum but never gives up his vigil until he can hand it to another.

An indomitable spirit

And a dark story told by two protagonists that adds immeasurably to the tale. And the writing is of course a marvel.

A Wild Irish Rose

How does one live a life that is lost, even without dying, especially when that life had held so much promise? This is a story, an almost painfully poignant story, of a girl, Roseanne, growing up in the small town Ireland of the first half of the 20th century. Roseanne was burdened doubly by being Presbyterian and exceptionally beautiful – something which seems to have drawn the suspicious censure of the local priest. This is not a simple story – it is filled with the complexities, tragedies and beauties of the human experience.
Told from the perspective of an aged Roseanne who has been living in a mental asylum for the past 50+ years and that of her attending psychiatrist, the story draws you in to the world in which Roseanne lived – both terrible and beautiful, and with many unexpected turns along the way. Beautifully written and narrated.

Regrettable

Highly regrettable, those were
9 hours and 45 minutes I'll never get back. I struggled along, figuring it was an okay book. I'll give extra latitude to a novel that was free. And the three last chapters came and went and left me frustrated and angry. I'll say no more.

Loved this book

Loved the characters, hated the people who wronged them and as usual, I miss them all now that the book is finished. I may read it again just to visit them.

A perfect novel

Starting quietly and slowly, the story becomes mesmerizing as an exploration of two lives. The narrator masterfully conveys the voices of male and female, English and Irish characters.

Delightful historical fiction

Wonderfully crafted historical fiction. The dialogue is spot on and the inner dialogue is awesome ??? a little like watching a champion gymnast execute near impossible acrobatics effortlessly. I kept hitting the re-wind button thinking ???wait! Do that again!???