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Whisper My Secret #2
Mother of Ten
What happens to children who are robbed of family?
Myrtle’s first three children grew up without any knowledge of their mother after Myrtle was forced to give them up when they were still toddlers. Not only were the children deprived of contact with their mother, they also grew up devoid of any knowledge of each other after being placed in separate facilities.
In this sequel to Whisper My Secret, JB Rowley explores what happened to the three half-siblings she never knew. As one of the children of Myrtle’s second family, JB also offers a personal view of a mother making a new life without her first family.
Although the devastating loss of her first three children remained with her, Myrtle became a caring and committed mother of seven more children living in near isolation in the Australian bush. This mother’s strength of character is matched in her first three children who survived and thrived despite being cheated of the nurturing that should have been their birthright.
Their stories are sad, sometimes heartbreaking but ultimately courageous and inspiring.
Myrtle’s first three children grew up without any knowledge of their mother after Myrtle was forced to give them up when they were still toddlers. Not only were the children deprived of contact with their mother, they also grew up devoid of any knowledge of each other after being placed in separate facilities.
In this sequel to Whisper My Secret, JB Rowley explores what happened to the three half-siblings she never knew. As one of the children of Myrtle’s second family, JB also offers a personal view of a mother making a new life without her first family.
Although the devastating loss of her first three children remained with her, Myrtle became a caring and committed mother of seven more children living in near isolation in the Australian bush. This mother’s strength of character is matched in her first three children who survived and thrived despite being cheated of the nurturing that should have been their birthright.
Their stories are sad, sometimes heartbreaking but ultimately courageous and inspiring.
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 21, 2013
402 people are currently reading
1033 people want to read
About the author
JB Rowley
10 books37 followersI grew up in a small Australian town called Orbost in the state of Victoria. I spent my childhood chasing snakes and lizards down hollow logs, playing Hansel and Gretel in the bush with my brothers, climbing trees, searching the local rubbish tip for books to read and generally behaving like a feral child. We didn't have horses (apart from an old draught horse) but we had sheep so I used to ride on the back of a big ram. I also did a lot of reading, usually curled up in the hay shed. These days I live in Melbourne (Australia) where, when I am not writing, I work as an English tutor and I still do a little oral storytelling.
My mother's story 'Whisper my Secret' and its sequel "Mother of Ten' are both Amazon best sellers. I also write the Dusty Kent murder mysteris under the pen name Brigid George.
My first novel, Whisper My Secret, is now available as an ebook: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007JP88NA
The sequel to Whisper My Secret is Mother of Ten:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CGPLWLI
I have finished Book 1 & 2 of a children's series called Trapped in Gondwana:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007S8YVE8
My mother's story 'Whisper my Secret' and its sequel "Mother of Ten' are both Amazon best sellers. I also write the Dusty Kent murder mysteris under the pen name Brigid George.
My first novel, Whisper My Secret, is now available as an ebook: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007JP88NA
The sequel to Whisper My Secret is Mother of Ten:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CGPLWLI
I have finished Book 1 & 2 of a children's series called Trapped in Gondwana:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007S8YVE8
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
June 13, 2013
This book is the follow up to the memoir Whisper My Secret. June (the author) is one of seven siblings to Mum Myrtle and Dad George; they all lived in relative poverty in the Australian bush, but had a happy life, with all the usual mischief that kids get up to, with the working father and stay-at-home mother. The children grew up amongst lots of love and closeness from friends as well as their family, their playground the bush surrounding their property, walking to school each day, and visiting their Nan and Pop each Sunday for the midday meal.
Once Myrtle passed away, and papers were found detailing the births of three other children to her and first husband Henry, June set out to trace these half-siblings Bertie, Audrey and Noel that she didn’t know they had. The information throughout the book details the early parts of their lives, and what happened through their childhood into adulthood, the bitterness and heartbreak they suffered…
Myrtle was a loving and extremely courageous woman, who, even though her heart must have been broken, cared and loved her new family throughout her life. The story of this family and their lives is beautifully told, heartrendingly sad, but totally inspirational.
A wonderful read.
Once Myrtle passed away, and papers were found detailing the births of three other children to her and first husband Henry, June set out to trace these half-siblings Bertie, Audrey and Noel that she didn’t know they had. The information throughout the book details the early parts of their lives, and what happened through their childhood into adulthood, the bitterness and heartbreak they suffered…
Myrtle was a loving and extremely courageous woman, who, even though her heart must have been broken, cared and loved her new family throughout her life. The story of this family and their lives is beautifully told, heartrendingly sad, but totally inspirational.
A wonderful read.
May 7, 2015
A sad story...
I started this book because I am trying to read more biographies. This book, however, was somewhat of a disappointment. It was more of a story of the abusive conditions in the orphanage system in Australia and the tragic ways children were forcefully removed from their mothers. It was told through the eyes of a young girl whose mother kept the tragic secret of the forceful loss of her first three children. No one knew of them until after her death. I am sure that telling the story was healing for the author and will be a treasured story for all descendants.
I started this book because I am trying to read more biographies. This book, however, was somewhat of a disappointment. It was more of a story of the abusive conditions in the orphanage system in Australia and the tragic ways children were forcefully removed from their mothers. It was told through the eyes of a young girl whose mother kept the tragic secret of the forceful loss of her first three children. No one knew of them until after her death. I am sure that telling the story was healing for the author and will be a treasured story for all descendants.
June 13, 2013
I *really* enjoyed the first book (even though it was not a true biography) but this one lacked alot... I understand that there was not a lot of first hand experience to go on, but I felt like much of this book was just a historical overview of what was going on in that time period, as well as accounts of other women and children who went through similar separations:/
May 12, 2013
Immediately after finishing WHISPER MY SECRET, I bought the sequel MOTHER OF TEN. I wanted to know more about Myrtle, an Australian woman and her family, especially what happened to her first three children, the ones who were taken from her custody by her uncaring ex-husband and his controlling and meanspirited mother and placed in government childcare facilities. We also learn about the lives of the members of her second family whom June, the narrator, discovered and sought out after her mother’s death. .
The book was an honest look of the life of a hardworking caring family of little means in Australia starting in the 1940s. We hear about the respectful actions of caring members of the community when her father becomes ill allowing the family to maintain its dignity.
One of the funniest sections is when June’s grandmother, Nan, teaches her how to make scones. “Making scones is a skill not many people learn. I’ll teach you how to do it. First you need a good recipe. Get me that recipe book in the top drawer.” With June reading the directions, Nan makes the scones, ignoring almost everything the book says.
The two youngest ones grew up in orphanages and received no visitors or love. They had been separated from each other and for a very long time did not know they had siblings. All three had also been told lies about their mother so that they would think she was a terrible woman who abandoned them freely. The story of children raised in that situation is explored honestly. Speaking about sharing family stories, histories, and pictures, Rowley writes “Institutional children are deprived of these precious pieces of the childhood jigsaw that most of us assume as our right.” They lack personal belongings or privacy and were subject to physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.
She also writes of why mothers in these situations may not want to regain contact with their children later on and presents logical explanations.
At the end we learn briefly of what has happened to the members today.
MOTHER OF TEN is well written, honest, and down-to-earth though it is a bit choppy in places. Rowley includes some updated information about WHISPER MY SECRET.
One of the delights of this book was learning about the lyre bird, an Australian bird whose tail explains its name and mimics all types of sounds. I went on line and was delighted with what I discovered. Go to http://postcelebrity.com/link/46386 and other sites listed on Google to hear some of them.
The book was an honest look of the life of a hardworking caring family of little means in Australia starting in the 1940s. We hear about the respectful actions of caring members of the community when her father becomes ill allowing the family to maintain its dignity.
One of the funniest sections is when June’s grandmother, Nan, teaches her how to make scones. “Making scones is a skill not many people learn. I’ll teach you how to do it. First you need a good recipe. Get me that recipe book in the top drawer.” With June reading the directions, Nan makes the scones, ignoring almost everything the book says.
The two youngest ones grew up in orphanages and received no visitors or love. They had been separated from each other and for a very long time did not know they had siblings. All three had also been told lies about their mother so that they would think she was a terrible woman who abandoned them freely. The story of children raised in that situation is explored honestly. Speaking about sharing family stories, histories, and pictures, Rowley writes “Institutional children are deprived of these precious pieces of the childhood jigsaw that most of us assume as our right.” They lack personal belongings or privacy and were subject to physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.
She also writes of why mothers in these situations may not want to regain contact with their children later on and presents logical explanations.
At the end we learn briefly of what has happened to the members today.
MOTHER OF TEN is well written, honest, and down-to-earth though it is a bit choppy in places. Rowley includes some updated information about WHISPER MY SECRET.
One of the delights of this book was learning about the lyre bird, an Australian bird whose tail explains its name and mimics all types of sounds. I went on line and was delighted with what I discovered. Go to http://postcelebrity.com/link/46386 and other sites listed on Google to hear some of them.
July 27, 2015
Similarities
As I read this book I could not help but compare it to the stories from here in the U.S. Our history also contains wretched tales of injustices heaped upon the helpless. The boys home in Florida where unclaimed bodies of children have recently been unearthed. The Lynchburg Training School in Virginia where the intellectually disabled were sterilized against their will. Just to name a few. Let's not mention indigenous people across the planet who have had their children stolen and Anglicized by those who "know best." Makes one wonder at the definition of civilized.
As I read this book I could not help but compare it to the stories from here in the U.S. Our history also contains wretched tales of injustices heaped upon the helpless. The boys home in Florida where unclaimed bodies of children have recently been unearthed. The Lynchburg Training School in Virginia where the intellectually disabled were sterilized against their will. Just to name a few. Let's not mention indigenous people across the planet who have had their children stolen and Anglicized by those who "know best." Makes one wonder at the definition of civilized.
December 30, 2015
This was the sequel to "Whisper My Secret". It goes on with Myrtle's life after she goes to Orbost with George and has seven children.
I enjoyed this sequel as much as the first book. It is such a sad story of a mother separated from her first 3 children and the rest of the family not knowing about them until after Myrtle's death. JB Rowley does a good job of researching the best she could to find out all she could about her half siblings and their lives before she knew of them. It is a good read and brings to light some interesting facts about children's life in orphanages and the mother's who had to give them up.
I enjoyed this sequel as much as the first book. It is such a sad story of a mother separated from her first 3 children and the rest of the family not knowing about them until after Myrtle's death. JB Rowley does a good job of researching the best she could to find out all she could about her half siblings and their lives before she knew of them. It is a good read and brings to light some interesting facts about children's life in orphanages and the mother's who had to give them up.
December 15, 2013
Good book that was a sequel to Mother of Ten. This was written by the daughter of the author after her mother's death. She discovered that her mother had had a prior marriage and a family she had been forced to leave behind. She researched well and put together information to fill the gaps best she could. It is hard to imagine being caught in this saga the mother endured and lived on building a new life. The fact that the children had the opportunity to meet and find out the first 3 were not abandoned was very satisfying.
January 7, 2014
This book, though an interesting sequel, would have benefitted by the author using footnotes for some of the historical information in this book. The facts about other orphans and their families were not well blended and deterred the natural flow of the story.
January 10, 2017
Superb story
Having had to place children for adoption I truly felt Myrtle's pain. What a beautiful story of rising up. Sometimes the best revenge is a life well lived. I feel she accomplished that.
Having had to place children for adoption I truly felt Myrtle's pain. What a beautiful story of rising up. Sometimes the best revenge is a life well lived. I feel she accomplished that.
February 28, 2017
Great Read
This is a true story of a period in time where society was able to spread unsubstantiated rumors to have a mothers children taken from her. This book which follow Book 1 helps you understand the anguish this mother endured
And why she kept her secret until her death.
This is a true story of a period in time where society was able to spread unsubstantiated rumors to have a mothers children taken from her. This book which follow Book 1 helps you understand the anguish this mother endured
And why she kept her secret until her death.
February 23, 2017
What a unusual story, both sad and hopeful. I read hardly able to put it down so that I could see what happened next.
Read
March 24, 2020The stories of the children in the orphanages are so terrible I just hope they aren't the same now.it is as if the nun and care takers were punishing the children for their own lack of love-- one would expect the opposite. terrible stories also emerge from the 1960 about unmarried girls getting pregnant and their dreadful treatment by religious societies and supposed helpful agencies.
The Mail recently published a series of articles describing the trauma and torment suffered by unmarried women in the 50s to the 70s, in Canada, my home country. According to the article, Canada like America lived in a sexual time warp: women with illegitimate children were left to struggle alone against a judgmental world. The great crime of youth, having sex ‘out of wedlock’ was unforgivable and considered entirely the girls fault even though it was often the boy pressuring the girl to prove her love. I remember my own complete ignorance about sexual matters and the difficulty of buying contraceptives; it was that girls weren’t supposed to know about such things. It wasn’t proper!
In The Mail article one of the girls said: ‘Perhaps it is hard to believe now at a time when condoms are available from dispensers in high school washrooms, that in 1969 the dissemination of contraceptives or even information about contraception was illegal. A Toronto pharmacist was jailed in 1960 for selling condoms. We all knew what it meant to be pregnant and unwed. The warnings were loud and clear: your life would be ruined; you would be kicked out of school, perhaps out of home, and branded a slut or a tramp. There were options, of a sort. Abortions could be had, but they were illegal, expensive, and usually dangerous. You could get married, but a shotgun wedding brought its own kind of shame and was not the best option in which to bring up children.’
Apparently according to the article most pregnant girls just disappeared into homes run by religious organizations—in Canada they were primarily Roman Catholic or Salvation Army. The girls were hidden from view until the babies were born and (in most cases) given up for adoption. The girl then returned home to forget she’d ever had a baby, as if she could. The worst story takes place not in Canada but in Lancaster England. Suzan was 13 when she got pregnant in 1967, her boyfriend 14. She says, ‘It was the headmistress at my school who first worked it out I was pregnant as neither of us had any idea. I was sentenced to two years’ supervision and my boyfriend to six months in borstal. I was taken, alone, to St Monica’s Mother and Baby Home in Kendal, Cumbria, which was run by very strict nuns. It was a workhouse, really. The dormitories were barren—no curtains or lockers or comforts of any kind. We had to attend religious services as a kind of penance and were dragged out of bed at 5am and sent down to the basement’s big stone sinks to scrub the soiled nappies. The way I understood it, the adoption of my son at six weeks was part of my sentence.’
I find it unbelievable that they could treat a child in such a way in the supposed liberal times of 1967 England. About the same time period, my neighbor in Italy, a restaurant cook, discovered her 15-year-old daughter was six months pregnant. The family as well as the daughter considered the boyfriend unacceptable as a husband so the child was integrated into the family and brought up as part of my neighbor’s family. Very humane!
In spite of France being a Catholic country that banned the use of contraceptives until 1967 it has always had a low birth rate (they invented the Rhythm Method). More surprising is that young people having sex seemed to be taken for granted. Couples just called each other fiancée, some sort of equivalent to being married. Unwed pregnancies and illegitimate children did not carry the Anglo Saxon stigma. Children had the same status as legitimate children and today almost 50 percent of births are to unmarried couples.
I thought the 13-year-old Suzan had been deprived of her rights because she was a minor till I read the account of Jennifer Evans, in North London. ‘It was 1968; I was 25 and unmarried. My family, who were wealthy, could have helped me! When I was seven months pregnant I moved to a home for unmarried mothers and babies in Wimbledon, run by the C of E. My little girl was born in April 1969. I did manage to keep her at first. I lied that the father was coming back and then we would marry. My mother could not bear the shame and after six months kicked me out. I realized the hopelessness of my situation and my daughter’s bleak future. She was adopted when she was ten months old.’ Jennifer sounds middle-class and not dumb so I'm surprised she lacked the ability to find the necessary help, which was readily available in 1968.
The Mail recently published a series of articles describing the trauma and torment suffered by unmarried women in the 50s to the 70s, in Canada, my home country. According to the article, Canada like America lived in a sexual time warp: women with illegitimate children were left to struggle alone against a judgmental world. The great crime of youth, having sex ‘out of wedlock’ was unforgivable and considered entirely the girls fault even though it was often the boy pressuring the girl to prove her love. I remember my own complete ignorance about sexual matters and the difficulty of buying contraceptives; it was that girls weren’t supposed to know about such things. It wasn’t proper!
In The Mail article one of the girls said: ‘Perhaps it is hard to believe now at a time when condoms are available from dispensers in high school washrooms, that in 1969 the dissemination of contraceptives or even information about contraception was illegal. A Toronto pharmacist was jailed in 1960 for selling condoms. We all knew what it meant to be pregnant and unwed. The warnings were loud and clear: your life would be ruined; you would be kicked out of school, perhaps out of home, and branded a slut or a tramp. There were options, of a sort. Abortions could be had, but they were illegal, expensive, and usually dangerous. You could get married, but a shotgun wedding brought its own kind of shame and was not the best option in which to bring up children.’
Apparently according to the article most pregnant girls just disappeared into homes run by religious organizations—in Canada they were primarily Roman Catholic or Salvation Army. The girls were hidden from view until the babies were born and (in most cases) given up for adoption. The girl then returned home to forget she’d ever had a baby, as if she could. The worst story takes place not in Canada but in Lancaster England. Suzan was 13 when she got pregnant in 1967, her boyfriend 14. She says, ‘It was the headmistress at my school who first worked it out I was pregnant as neither of us had any idea. I was sentenced to two years’ supervision and my boyfriend to six months in borstal. I was taken, alone, to St Monica’s Mother and Baby Home in Kendal, Cumbria, which was run by very strict nuns. It was a workhouse, really. The dormitories were barren—no curtains or lockers or comforts of any kind. We had to attend religious services as a kind of penance and were dragged out of bed at 5am and sent down to the basement’s big stone sinks to scrub the soiled nappies. The way I understood it, the adoption of my son at six weeks was part of my sentence.’
I find it unbelievable that they could treat a child in such a way in the supposed liberal times of 1967 England. About the same time period, my neighbor in Italy, a restaurant cook, discovered her 15-year-old daughter was six months pregnant. The family as well as the daughter considered the boyfriend unacceptable as a husband so the child was integrated into the family and brought up as part of my neighbor’s family. Very humane!
In spite of France being a Catholic country that banned the use of contraceptives until 1967 it has always had a low birth rate (they invented the Rhythm Method). More surprising is that young people having sex seemed to be taken for granted. Couples just called each other fiancée, some sort of equivalent to being married. Unwed pregnancies and illegitimate children did not carry the Anglo Saxon stigma. Children had the same status as legitimate children and today almost 50 percent of births are to unmarried couples.
I thought the 13-year-old Suzan had been deprived of her rights because she was a minor till I read the account of Jennifer Evans, in North London. ‘It was 1968; I was 25 and unmarried. My family, who were wealthy, could have helped me! When I was seven months pregnant I moved to a home for unmarried mothers and babies in Wimbledon, run by the C of E. My little girl was born in April 1969. I did manage to keep her at first. I lied that the father was coming back and then we would marry. My mother could not bear the shame and after six months kicked me out. I realized the hopelessness of my situation and my daughter’s bleak future. She was adopted when she was ten months old.’ Jennifer sounds middle-class and not dumb so I'm surprised she lacked the ability to find the necessary help, which was readily available in 1968.
August 9, 2017
Victoria, Australia. Orbost (township). June “Brigid” (sister, narrator) had stabbed Maxie (8, younger brother) with a pencil that had went clear through. Bobby (brother) was sent to get help.
The story continues.
As a retired MH crisis/school social worker, & a child, & a former foster care teen, this story touched my heart again.
A very funny thing; I still have # 2 pencil lead in my left hand & left leg thigh from being stabbed in grade school (late 1950’s) by 2 other students.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. Wow, a very well written down-under memoir
book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a large set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great down-under family memoir movie, or better yet a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Proto Press; Ebooksdaily; Amazon Digital Services LLC; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
The story continues.
As a retired MH crisis/school social worker, & a child, & a former foster care teen, this story touched my heart again.
A very funny thing; I still have # 2 pencil lead in my left hand & left leg thigh from being stabbed in grade school (late 1950’s) by 2 other students.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. Wow, a very well written down-under memoir
book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a large set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great down-under family memoir movie, or better yet a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Proto Press; Ebooksdaily; Amazon Digital Services LLC; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
July 10, 2017
What I loved about this book was the family history. Every person needs and should have the blessing of family connection; my heart aches for the members of this family who suffered great social injustices that robbed them of family connection. I rejoice that some were able to rise above this and reclaim their family.
What I did not like about this book was the author's description of the sexual molestation that she experienced when she was a young innocent child, at the hands of a family acquaintance, the father of aboriginal children with whom she played. I am sorry that she experienced this but wish she had left it out. The biographical story line would not have suffered by leaving it out, and it was not enhanced by including it. Because this was included, I cannot recommend this book for children and feel that I must alert teen and adult readers that this content is included.
I have read only two of Ms. Rowley's books, and both include very descriptive sexual encounters. I hope this gifted writer can someday understand that sexual content is not necessary for literature to be great.
What I did not like about this book was the author's description of the sexual molestation that she experienced when she was a young innocent child, at the hands of a family acquaintance, the father of aboriginal children with whom she played. I am sorry that she experienced this but wish she had left it out. The biographical story line would not have suffered by leaving it out, and it was not enhanced by including it. Because this was included, I cannot recommend this book for children and feel that I must alert teen and adult readers that this content is included.
I have read only two of Ms. Rowley's books, and both include very descriptive sexual encounters. I hope this gifted writer can someday understand that sexual content is not necessary for literature to be great.
November 8, 2024
Mother of Ten
A very insightful book. I am thankful that the author let readers like me know how this story proceeds! If you haven't read Whisper My Secret yet, read it first so this one will make better sense! Without spoilers, I'll just say be aware that there are deeply disturbing scenes in this book. Heartrendingly sad stories, but there is also deep, enduring love stories, as well. I understand a lot of the sadness because I've been there, almost. Thank God I never spent one second in an orphanage because I was adopted at birth by the most perfect parents any two human beings could ever be! Still, occasionally I'd remember that I was adopted, & I couldn't help but wonder, "Why didn't she want me? What is wrong with me? What did I do?" Like the kids who were actually adopted out, I never told my parents that I had these thoughts! I think I'd've died before I'd risk hurting them! Even now that I'm almost 70, depression, anxiety, & low self-esteem batter me! If I'm damaged this badly, how much worse it must have been for these young ones? I count myself truly Blessed. My heart bled for Myrtle, & her children.
A very insightful book. I am thankful that the author let readers like me know how this story proceeds! If you haven't read Whisper My Secret yet, read it first so this one will make better sense! Without spoilers, I'll just say be aware that there are deeply disturbing scenes in this book. Heartrendingly sad stories, but there is also deep, enduring love stories, as well. I understand a lot of the sadness because I've been there, almost. Thank God I never spent one second in an orphanage because I was adopted at birth by the most perfect parents any two human beings could ever be! Still, occasionally I'd remember that I was adopted, & I couldn't help but wonder, "Why didn't she want me? What is wrong with me? What did I do?" Like the kids who were actually adopted out, I never told my parents that I had these thoughts! I think I'd've died before I'd risk hurting them! Even now that I'm almost 70, depression, anxiety, & low self-esteem batter me! If I'm damaged this badly, how much worse it must have been for these young ones? I count myself truly Blessed. My heart bled for Myrtle, & her children.
November 3, 2019
Answers the queries of book #1
After reading the very brief teaser, Whisper My Secret, I had many questions about the mother's family problems and the loss of her children. The first book and this sequel could have been one very good book. Non fiction with fiction thrown in to fill gaps is a description of the genre, a memoir with fictional passages is another. Quick read. Interesting that people's lives get so chaotic and lost through circumstances, deceit, bad choices. My heart broke for the three children virtually abandoned by the deadbeat father and his evil mother. Despicable to force such horror on them when they had a living mother and father, grandmothers, and many relatives to care for them. Where were the churchworkers, authorities, social workers, psychologists? Thankfully these children survived.
After reading the very brief teaser, Whisper My Secret, I had many questions about the mother's family problems and the loss of her children. The first book and this sequel could have been one very good book. Non fiction with fiction thrown in to fill gaps is a description of the genre, a memoir with fictional passages is another. Quick read. Interesting that people's lives get so chaotic and lost through circumstances, deceit, bad choices. My heart broke for the three children virtually abandoned by the deadbeat father and his evil mother. Despicable to force such horror on them when they had a living mother and father, grandmothers, and many relatives to care for them. Where were the churchworkers, authorities, social workers, psychologists? Thankfully these children survived.
July 20, 2017
Started reading this book but had to put it down. eventually forced my way though it. . .
The first half is about the author, her life, experience with her family and of course her mother. There's much speculation on her part, throughout the whole book, about how her mother felt and offers up many examples from other people faced with similar circumstances. There isn't as much information about her 3 half siblings lives as there is about her own. Branching off from their short life stories the book take a turn into the atrocities of the orphanages of that time. Really feel like the focus of this book was all over the place and offers very little insight to how her mother really felt about her life and ALL her children. We get a look from one perspective that's really more of a side glace.
The first half is about the author, her life, experience with her family and of course her mother. There's much speculation on her part, throughout the whole book, about how her mother felt and offers up many examples from other people faced with similar circumstances. There isn't as much information about her 3 half siblings lives as there is about her own. Branching off from their short life stories the book take a turn into the atrocities of the orphanages of that time. Really feel like the focus of this book was all over the place and offers very little insight to how her mother really felt about her life and ALL her children. We get a look from one perspective that's really more of a side glace.
February 17, 2024
Making sense of me and my place in the world
As the second born child to a women who was taken into care just after WWII had started mum would often recount her childhood stories. At times her stories reflected the mischief her and her adopted siblings (other 'inmates') would get up to just to avenge the nuns, whose authority was often brutal, who cared for them. Mum and her sister could be found recounting less happy times if you were quiet enough and seemingly not interested in their indulgences.
This book/s helped to make sense of the way mum perhaps embellished the truth and at times failed to share some of the most painful moments as we grew up. It wasn't until their later years that I became privvy to the pain they shared - which is described so clearly in these books by weaving history together with actual events.
I have a greater understanding of how I became the person I am today through the painful loneliness my mother had endured as a child.
The story is written in such a way that it's easy to follow, and is a brutally honest reflection of growing up in post war Australia. Thank you JB for sharing your story.
As the second born child to a women who was taken into care just after WWII had started mum would often recount her childhood stories. At times her stories reflected the mischief her and her adopted siblings (other 'inmates') would get up to just to avenge the nuns, whose authority was often brutal, who cared for them. Mum and her sister could be found recounting less happy times if you were quiet enough and seemingly not interested in their indulgences.
This book/s helped to make sense of the way mum perhaps embellished the truth and at times failed to share some of the most painful moments as we grew up. It wasn't until their later years that I became privvy to the pain they shared - which is described so clearly in these books by weaving history together with actual events.
I have a greater understanding of how I became the person I am today through the painful loneliness my mother had endured as a child.
The story is written in such a way that it's easy to follow, and is a brutally honest reflection of growing up in post war Australia. Thank you JB for sharing your story.
August 5, 2017
Wow...
What a great finale to "Whisper My Secret"!! It's heartbreaking to think that it was once so easy to destroy families but it's good to see that these folks are able to somehow come around from it...even if, for Myrtle, it was only with a "false self." I can't imagine how someone survives that situation as either the parent or the child and yet so many did. Thank you for sharing the story with us.
What a great finale to "Whisper My Secret"!! It's heartbreaking to think that it was once so easy to destroy families but it's good to see that these folks are able to somehow come around from it...even if, for Myrtle, it was only with a "false self." I can't imagine how someone survives that situation as either the parent or the child and yet so many did. Thank you for sharing the story with us.
February 1, 2018
It was alright.
I really enjoyed reading about what happened to the children that were taken. However, I felt that it was all over the place and the author used a lot of imagination and suppositions which i did not care about. I like facts and not having words or thoughts made up on other's behalf.
I really enjoyed reading about what happened to the children that were taken. However, I felt that it was all over the place and the author used a lot of imagination and suppositions which i did not care about. I like facts and not having words or thoughts made up on other's behalf.
June 6, 2017
Thanks for sharing Myrtle's journey
I gave five state because Jb Rowley shared an intimate part of her family's life. Her wrighting was beautiful. I felt like I was in the bush with her family. Very detailed. Thank you and god bless you all
I gave five state because Jb Rowley shared an intimate part of her family's life. Her wrighting was beautiful. I felt like I was in the bush with her family. Very detailed. Thank you and god bless you all
August 11, 2017
An Important Piece of History
This book, while sometimes a bit gritty in detail, is well researched and gives one a real empathy for and understanding of the wounds suffered by children in care, and their families
This book, while sometimes a bit gritty in detail, is well researched and gives one a real empathy for and understanding of the wounds suffered by children in care, and their families
September 29, 2017
Opportunity to learn about Australia --land and its customs
I found both books, Mother of Ten, and Whisper My Secret, enjoyable and I learned a great deal about Australian society and customs.
I found both books, Mother of Ten, and Whisper My Secret, enjoyable and I learned a great deal about Australian society and customs.
November 8, 2017
As a mother of 4, it's hard to imagine the heartaches of that day and time. This story will pull on your heart strings.
Same as above. Felt very sorry for this lady. Was happy though that she got a second chance of real love.
Same as above. Felt very sorry for this lady. Was happy though that she got a second chance of real love.
February 3, 2019
A disappointing disorganized saga in which the author leaves the reader to structure the story rather helplessly. Very different from her first book. I did not finish it because it was work to read rather than a pleasurable experience.
May 30, 2019
Recommend reading
The author's story of separation of parent from children, affects and consequences. A good read, bittersweet, yet hits close to the heart as we all have similar story in one form or another another.
The author's story of separation of parent from children, affects and consequences. A good read, bittersweet, yet hits close to the heart as we all have similar story in one form or another another.
May 25, 2017
The story was interesting. Myrtle was very resilient. Too much detail about sexual encounters... probably four or five different times in the book... unnecessary detail for the story.
June 18, 2017
Orphanage children
This book is an follow-up to to the author's first book. She spends a great deal of effort explaining how children brought up in an institution may react.
This book is an follow-up to to the author's first book. She spends a great deal of effort explaining how children brought up in an institution may react.
October 11, 2017
The story itself was well worth the read. I had no idea these things happened. However, the first and second books could have easily been combined and would have made for a better story.
May 17, 2018
Good read! Very interesting.
I highly recommend reading the first book then this one. It is truly heartbreaking what these people had to endure.
I highly recommend reading the first book then this one. It is truly heartbreaking what these people had to endure.
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