A Mother's Shame

By: Rosie Goodwin

Narrated by: Juanita McMahon

Length: 14 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's Summary

On the outskirts of Nuneaton stands Hatters Hall, home to the mentally insane. One rainy, dismal day in 1857, Maria Mundy arrives there to work.

She is ordered to care for Isabelle Montgomery, daughter of an influential land-owner, but it becomes apparent that she has been falsely imprisoned. It’s going to take courage, determination, and resolve - but freedom is always worth fighting for.

©2013 Rosie Goodwin (P)2013 W F Howes Ltd

Critic Reviews

"Rosie is a born storyteller...you'll care for her characters and lose yourself in her story." (Jeannie Johnson)

"A touching and powerful new novel from a wonderful writer" ( Bookseller)

Slow and Boring

This book started interestingly enough but it eventually became slow and boring. The characters, especially one of them, became caricatures. I could only finish Part 1 and then I had enough. I believe I could predict what was going to happen and how it was going to end. The narrator was good. She is probably the reason I hung in there as long as I did.

0 of 2 people found this review helpful

A thoroughly feel good story

A Mothers Shame is set in the mid 1800s, when Maria Mundy is forced to go and work in the asylum by her uncaring preacher father, her down trodden mother is left trying to feed and care for the family at home. Maria then finds herself working as a ladies maid to the difficult Isabelle Montgomery who has been locked up by her father, as she is unmarried and pregnant. The story takes the two girls on a journey across the oceans; there is the usual villain and the obligatory love interest, with good overcoming adversity. The only downside to this fabulous story was the narration; having already listened to several of Rosie Goodwin books back-to-back that were narrated by Charlie Sanderson, I was slightly disappointed with Juanita McMahons interpretation of the characters voices. Charlie Sanderson does such a good job, but Juanita McMahons voice was just not quite the same, perhaps a little droll, don’t get me wrong her narration was good, but my personal opinion was that Charlie Sandersons voice would have suited the story much better. However I loved it from beginning to end and would thoroughly recommend it as a feel good easy listen.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Disapponted

Rosie Goodwin is my favourite author and her stories are great but the narrator spoiled it her voice was so droll and did not make the story interesting i became bored and didnt finish the book infact not even the second chapter

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A heart warming and sometimes emotional read.

I was introduced to this author by a friend after he'd read Mothering Sunday and posted up on Facebook about how good it was, the title interested me so I then went and looked Rosie Goodwin up, I am so glad I did as I have found a new author that I am quickly becoming a fan of. Both Mothering Sunday and the little angel were fantastic and I can't wait for the third book in that collection to come out. As this book is based in the same area I decided to go for this one next. I did not enjoy it as much as the previous two but it was still a fantastic book. very heartwarming and emotional in parts and quite suspenseful as well. the book was based on Maria a young girl who is sent to work at hatters hall a place for the mentally ill, she is employed to take care of Isabel Montgomery who is the daughter of the main benafishary of the establishment. however it's clear that sh's not in sane, a lot of un married mothers are also locked up there to hide the shame of becoming pregnant outside of marriage, the two women quickly realise that if they don't escape they may never leave. Along with Isabel's brother and a young made they befriend who's been brought up in hatters hall they plan an escape.

The story was really good and it's saddened to see how people were treated back in the 18th century. I will read more by this author for sure and if anyone can give me any recommendations on which one to go for next I'll be happy to give it a try.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great Book

Would you consider the audio edition of A Mother's Shame to be better than the print version?

I could not put this book down. I really enjoyed the twist and turns of this great story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Maria was really a great character in the story.

Have you listened to any of Juanita McMahon’s other performances? How does this one compare?

As I am new to audio listening this is a hard question to answer.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Really Enjoyable<br />

Yet another enjoyable read from Rosie Goodwin. Just wNted to keep listening to hear the next bit.

A Mothers Shame pt 1/2

Really excellent. My sister said it was a must, and I agree. So much in it. At one stage I thought back to the start, and couldn't believe so much had happened.

What's with the Cornish accent?

Yes it drove me mad that whilst set in Nuneaton (incidentally where I live) the accent given to the working class family was Cornish!!! At least do some research about the way people speak rather than lump all poor people into one slovenly accent. I like my accent and I'm proud of it but I don't sound like that.

Review

excellent story and narrated wonderfully keeping the story line fresh and mysterious, thoroughly enjoyable throughout.

loved the story

loved the story with it's twist and turns then all came good at the end:-)

Loved it!

I could not put this down! Beautiful story. I laughed, loved and cried. Brilliantly touching book!