In Ma's Footsteps

by Kathleen Doyle

In the phenomenal and hilarious bestseller, What Would Ma Say, Kathleen Doyle introduced us to her remarkable family and their exploits growing up in working-class Dublin in the 1950s and 1960s. Now she is walking In Ma’s Footsteps, picking up where the first book left off. Kathleen describes marital bliss with Alan and how they raised their own (smaller) family of three in difficult times. From a shed in her back garden, Kathleen started cutting hair for her neighbours, eventually owning three hairdressing salons. Along the way, Kathleen’s sharp tongue brightens up her stories, such as how the family rooster, “Dick the Cock”, sent her into premature labour; Alan getting “the snip”; the mysterious vandalising of Kathleen’s knickers; and how her daughter Martina ran away from home at the age of 11 – but only for the one night, mind. Kathleen herself became a grandmother at the age of 38, and is now a great-grandmother. There were also tragedies, most of them, incredibly, happening in just one Da’s agonising death from cancer; Ma’s operation to remove a brain tumour; Kathleen’s own brush with cancer, which resulted in her having her “bits” taken out; and, most heartbreaking of all, Kathleen’s brother Phil dying, also from a brain tumour. Throughout it all, Kathleen remains philosophical, never losing her sense of humour. She’s a true survivor.

263 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Amanda Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming lovely book