Freud, Esther

The story of unwed Irish mothers losing their babies to forced adoptions is similar to books and films like Philomena, but Freud’s (Mr. Mac and Me) telling is fresh and moving. The mystery of whether the three women will ever reconnect gives the novel urgency.

Along with popular fictional biographies such as Loving Frank, The Paris Wife, and Z, this period novel from Freud (Hideous Kinky; Lucky Break) will surely captivate. It may also inspire a visit to Glasgow for tea and scones in the Willow Tearooms, a Mackintosh architectural gem. Warmly recommended.

Highly readable but not as satisfying as Freud's previous works.