Secret Child

by Gordon Lewis, Andrew Crofts

The shocking true story of a young boy hidden away from his family and the world in a Catholic home for unmarried mothers in 1950s Dublin. Born an 'unfortunate' onto the rough streets of 1950s Dublin, this is the incredible true story of a young boy, a secret child born into a home for unmarried mothers in 1950s Dublin and a mother determined to keep her child, even if it meant hiding him from her own family and the rest of the world. Despite the poverty, hardship and isolation, the pride and hope of a community of women who banded together to raise their children would give this boy his chance to find his real family. A wonderfully heartwarming and evocative tale of working class life in 1950s Dublin and 1960s London.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, Autobiography

320 pages, Paperback

First published April 23, 2015

Reviews

[Bev Walkling · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the memoir of a boy born out of wedlock to an Irish Catholic woman in the early fifties. It starts out as a boys search for his past as he returns to Ireland and then turns into a memoir that begins at a home for unwed mothers where the women are allowed to keep their child. "Gordon" doesn't realize that there is life beyond the home or that his mother is keeping the knowledge of his existence a secret from the rest of her family. Their life is not an easy one and is made more difficult by Gordon's undiagnosed dyslexia which makes school challenging. When an opportunity to marry an old love and move to England will lead to a better life for Gordon's mom, they leap at it, but all does not turn out as planned.

Their lives were not easy at all but mother and son were both hard workers who had a way with people.

The memoir could have been improved by having a more coherent flow to it and a more detailed resolution. Pictures would have added to the story as well. It does give a picture of the life and times in Dublin and London as Gordon is growing up.

[Emily Cook · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed most of the book. It was as expected for a true story but the ending felt rushed and abrupt. I enjoyed the book until the final chapter.

[Jayde Ganz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since it is based on a true story, I was expecting this book to be a bit on the slower side, but I couldn’t put it down.

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story has the potential to be very interesting. A man goes back to Ireland to uncover some secrets that his mother has told him never to ask about. Unfortunately, rather than writing the events like a story they are written like a documentary. Not only that, but a documentary written through the eyes of a young boy. I was left feeling as though I was reading a local newspaper that had written an article for the masses rather than reading a book about a very interesting life which took place in a very difficult time.

[Jill Robbertze · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a true story about a Catholic boy born "out of wedlock"in Ireland in the 1950's. He tells the story of his childhood, being born and raised in a home for unmarried mothers. The memoir goes on to tell of his life after leaving the institution when his Mother remarries. It's a mildly interesting story told from the young boy's perspective, which plodded along but was not particularly memorable.

[Martine · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book tells of his life growing up with his single mom, then later on with her and her husband. Life wasn't always easy for this young boy and his single parent, however he always had the love of his mom.
It was a good book, however it would have been nice to find out what he did with his life afterwards (after growing up) - did he get married, have a family of his own ? What type of career did he end up choosing ? How he turned out / what he did with his life once he was grown up.

[Kim Clough · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I got this thinking that there would be a gut wrenching story about how he was hidden away and lived through hard times but it never happened... from what I could tell although he was at the lower end of the caste system of the 1950s he was actually fairly comfortable compared to most. The synopsis and the cover does enough to make you think that you are getting one thing, when you are actually getting a pretty normal and boring tale of a single mother in the 50s.

[Kivalina Mauck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book ,

Very strong Mum in this book. I have deep respect for the Mum in this book . She was a very strong lady to do what she did in those times. Wonderful lady. I recommended you read this for yourself and see. You are a lucky boy Gordon .

[Crazy_smiler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m shocked by the low rating. I quite enjoyed the book. I felt it was written well and very much like a story. It wasn’t blunt. Overly scattery like other memoirs I’ve read.

I was shocked about the dad. I want more. Like how did his mother eventually pass. Did they ever buy a house or move from that last place? I’d like to know more.

[Katrina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, not great. Lots of questions left unanswered.

[Aaron Badgley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read, and a nice appreciation of the Beatles. A moving true story, which I wish had continued, I later found out a sequel is planned, so good. I thought the last few chapters were the best.

[Lorraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story was good but not great. A lot of unanswered questions.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story. Easy read.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartwarming and evocative true story conveying the struggles of life in the 1950 Dubin. The Catholic Church considered unwed mothers as sinners and their children as bastards. Aware that she was pregnant, Cathleen made her home in Reging Coeli Hostel for women. A home that enabled the moms to keep their children.

The majority of the mothers worked outside of the home and some looked after the children. In his youth, Francis(preferred to be called Gordon) lived in the confines of a large piece of land surrounded by walls. Cathleen's family never knew about her secret child. She worked long hours, six and a half days to provide Gordon with few extras, but she hardly spent any time with him.

[Marj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catherine, a young Irish woman leaves her small village to work in Dublin. She meets Bill, a charismatic handsome man and they fall in love but cannot marry. Catherine is Catholic and Bill is Protestant and their families are horrified. A few years later Catherine finds herself pregnant and single. It's the 50's and unwed mothers are not accepted. She goes to live in a Catholic run home for unwed mothers where she can live and keep her son, Gordon. This is his story and how he lived as a young boy.

[Eileen Mandell · Rating 4 out of 5]

What amazed me the most about this book is the dates....1958 through the 60-70s. Life was so different just "across the pond " & included many prejudices that effected lives for their lifetime. A single mother out of wedlock attempts to make it in a poor, judgemental world. This is the story of a young man looking for his heritage & the center of the conflict is protestants vs. Catholicism. Deep & emotional.....excellent read....

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story behind this book is that of a single mother and son in the 1950's making a life in Dublin and then beyond. While today this might be such a big deal, it was at that time and families, the church, etc; took a very dim view of these circumstances. Very interesting but the author is not gifted with words. He tells the story clearly and well from his point of view but this is not a literary masterpiece by any means.

[Mindy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Learned a few interesting things about Ireland/England during the time the book took place (1950’s) but other than that by two thirds through I started losing interest. Hate to say that, especially about a true life book. It did have two or three surprises in the last thirty pages so I guess that made up for the middle drab.

[Studvet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! A bit Mills and Boon at times but really a lovely story full of true emotion and of what life was like at the time, which made the book fascinating. Very easy to read. The characters in it are well - sketched and "human" , especially his lovely Mum and he himself. Tugs the heartstrings indeed 😁. Would love to know the rest of the story.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read. It must be difficult for a child to grow up surrounded by so much secrecy. I felt a bit disappointed at the end when the author failed to explain his life as an adult. It made the story seem incomplete.

[Anna Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had read so many good reviews of this book. But it just didn't live up to my expectation. Most of the book is dedicated to life before after the Mother's home, and only at the very end do we get a glimpse of his birth father.

Disappointing.

[Byantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story and look into 1950’s Dublin and London. So disappointed in Bill! Wonder if she would have left him in today’s opportunities for women. And at the end of the book… when Gordon talked about the moment he was most proud of them… at the wedding. What was the moment? The dance at the end??

[Louise Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve read and enjoyed quite a bit about Ireland in the 50’s. This was a page turner for me because of my interest. But I could see how some thought it “slow”. She was a very sting and independent mom and do I kept hoping/thinking she would leave Bill. I didn’t like him much at all.

[Ashley Thorson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, it's a good read. It was a bit dry in the middle but picked up in the later half. I like how his character started to bloom more in the back portion of the book. You really start to gain a better understanding of who he is and how his early childhood defined him.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, but found it to end abruptly. There was some loose ends that left you hanging regarding the meeting with his biological father. If he didn’t end up meeting his biological father that could have been stated with a small reasoning to tie the book up.

[Lillian Muzyka · Rating 2 out of 5]

An okay read. This is a true story told through the eyes of a child born out of Wedlock in Ireland during the fifties.

[Audrey Goos · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't finish this book Boring!!!

[Alisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and it was very interesting to know what life was like while the main character was growing up.

[Tracy Willcott · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great premise for a story but boring to read....disappointed.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story about the hidden children in Ireland, one boy who didn't know his own family, but found an other family, who helped him and his mother.