My Mother Wore a Yellow Dress

by Christina McKenna

'I learned about conflict from my parents.' So begins Christina McKenna's haunting memoir of her lonely early life. Recounting scenes from her chlldhood in Ulster, she paints a memorable and poignant picture of violence and oppression with her brutal father and protective mother, whose retalliation to her husband's meaness came in the form of a secret yellow dress.At age eleven, she experiences a frightening supernatural occurrence, a prolonged haunting that confirms for her the reality of the spirit world. Though it affects her deeply, she later learns to channel her confusion into twin artistic poetry and painting.The discordant nature of Christina McKenna's young life, and the feelings of inferiority it bred, lead her to examine all the limiting belief systems she grew up with, and question the validity of the hidebound Catholicism of her childhood.This is a rite-of-passage account of two generations of Irish women, told with great humour and compassion. On the one hand is the writer; on the other the heroic mother who showed her love as best she could.McKenna concludes that our past, no matter how painful, need not keep us bound -- once we choose love over hate. That choice, she suggests, will set us free.

Genres: Ireland, Nonfiction

292 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 13, 2004

Reviews

[Annie]

The Irish are such wonderful storytellers and this book is no exception. It's a memoir of growing up in Ulster in the 1960's -- her father and mother and their characters, and all the characters in the family and in the town. The only part I felt that it fell down a little was near the end where she talked about her own growth and coming to terms with her childhood, but did not talk about how that happened for her. Perhaps she will write another book that continues her own story of how she became an artist and escaped to lead a different life.

The writing style is beautiful and I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

[Jill Lovett]

This book is one of the most fascinating memoirs I've ever read...sensitive, sad, humorous and a page-turner...I was particularly impressed by the final chapters where Christina McKenna writes with honesty and passion about the importance of love in peoples' lives and the dire results of lovelessness as noted in her portrayals of her father and his brothers. I give this book 5 stars! Jill, Australia.

[SweetAnnie]

Excellent and at times Heartbreaking

Admittedly I originally found this book hard to get into, but having read Ms. McKenna's other books and enjoying them thoroughly, I read on tenaciously, and thank heaven I did. This turned out to be one of the most beautiful, honest, and meaningful memoirs I have ever read.

[Ken]

An ordinary life, extraordinarily told.

[Ken Johnson]

An ordinary life, extraordinarily told.

[Jennifer]

Loved two of her other books. This one is a bit autobiographical, which I usually like, but the first couple chapters all she does is point out wrongs she perceived done to her starting at age 3 and how they "ruined" her childhood.
Sorry, crabby teachers and parents that aren't perfect are not enough reason for a book of "woe is me".
Very, very disappointing.

[Terri]

Memories

some memories traumatic a few cherished good memories.We all have them . I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I devour anything about Ireland. I,m not sure why,I,m not Irish. I,'ve dreamt of a stone cottage by the sea. Dreams so vivid I can hear the gravel on the beach crunch beneath my feet !

[Judy]

After having read "A Misremembered Man", I jumped into this book with relish. It truly is a touching portrait of growing up during the sixties in Ireland. Loved it. Would read anything this author puts out.

[Alexandra]

Extremely well written and entertaining, the author writes her autobiography about growing up in Ireland to a neglectful father and weary mother. The last chapter seemed out of place, but the rest of the book was captivating as you went on the journey with the author.

[Susan Poling]

Loved this one!

[Janneke]

Love this author!

I have read several of Christine McKenna's books and have enjoyed them all. This book was a lovely glimpse into what shaped her as an author.

[Jessica Goglin]

enticing characters and realistic storyline!