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A Mother's Shame cover art

A Mother's Shame

By: Rosie Goodwin
Narrated by: Juanita McMahon
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Summary

On the outskirts of Nuneaton stands Hatters Hall, home to the mentally insane. One rainy, dismal day in 1857, Maria Mundy arrives there to work.

She is ordered to care for Isabelle Montgomery, daughter of an influential land-owner, but it becomes apparent that she has been falsely imprisoned. It’s going to take courage, determination, and resolve - but freedom is always worth fighting for.

©2013 Rosie Goodwin (P)2013 W F Howes Ltd

Critic reviews

"Rosie is a born storyteller...you'll care for her characters and lose yourself in her story." (Jeannie Johnson)
"A touching and powerful new novel from a wonderful writer" ( Bookseller)

What listeners say about A Mother's Shame

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

What's with the Cornish accent?

Yes it drove me mad that whilst set in Nuneaton (incidentally where I live) the accent given to the working class family was Cornish!!! At least do some research about the way people speak rather than lump all poor people into one slovenly accent. I like my accent and I'm proud of it but I don't sound like that.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A thoroughly feel good story

A Mothers Shame is set in the mid 1800s, when Maria Mundy is forced to go and work in the asylum by her uncaring preacher father, her down trodden mother is left trying to feed and care for the family at home. Maria then finds herself working as a ladies maid to the difficult Isabelle Montgomery who has been locked up by her father, as she is unmarried and pregnant. The story takes the two girls on a journey across the oceans; there is the usual villain and the obligatory love interest, with good overcoming adversity. The only downside to this fabulous story was the narration; having already listened to several of Rosie Goodwin books back-to-back that were narrated by Charlie Sanderson, I was slightly disappointed with Juanita McMahons interpretation of the characters voices. Charlie Sanderson does such a good job, but Juanita McMahons voice was just not quite the same, perhaps a little droll, don’t get me wrong her narration was good, but my personal opinion was that Charlie Sandersons voice would have suited the story much better. However I loved it from beginning to end and would thoroughly recommend it as a feel good easy listen.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A heart warming and sometimes emotional read.

I was introduced to this author by a friend after he'd read Mothering Sunday and posted up on Facebook about how good it was, the title interested me so I then went and looked Rosie Goodwin up, I am so glad I did as I have found a new author that I am quickly becoming a fan of. Both Mothering Sunday and the little angel were fantastic and I can't wait for the third book in that collection to come out. As this book is based in the same area I decided to go for this one next. I did not enjoy it as much as the previous two but it was still a fantastic book. very heartwarming and emotional in parts and quite suspenseful as well. the book was based on Maria a young girl who is sent to work at hatters hall a place for the mentally ill, she is employed to take care of Isabel Montgomery who is the daughter of the main benafishary of the establishment. however it's clear that sh's not in sane, a lot of un married mothers are also locked up there to hide the shame of becoming pregnant outside of marriage, the two women quickly realise that if they don't escape they may never leave. Along with Isabel's brother and a young made they befriend who's been brought up in hatters hall they plan an escape.

The story was really good and it's saddened to see how people were treated back in the 18th century. I will read more by this author for sure and if anyone can give me any recommendations on which one to go for next I'll be happy to give it a try.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Disapponted

Rosie Goodwin is my favourite author and her stories are great but the narrator spoiled it her voice was so droll and did not make the story interesting i became bored and didnt finish the book infact not even the second chapter

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3 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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Don’t waste your time or credit

Had potential to be fantastic but very predictable I’m afraid. Don’t waste your time . Disappointed !

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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Wrong accent but lovely story

This was another lovely story by Rosie Goodwin, I love her books but usually listen to them read by Charlie Sanderson. This narrator was reading with a Cornish accent instead of a Nuneaton accent and her reading was slow and uninteresting. I had to look past this in order to listen but it was hard to concentrate. Story lovely narration not so lovely.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great Book

Would you consider the audio edition of A Mother's Shame to be better than the print version?

I could not put this book down. I really enjoyed the twist and turns of this great story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Maria was really a great character in the story.

Have you listened to any of Juanita McMahon’s other performances? How does this one compare?

As I am new to audio listening this is a hard question to answer.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Same old story...

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

The book was ok. The story is a tried and tested plot with a predictable end but pleasant enough.

What could Rosie Goodwin have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

I'm not sure,, it was quite predictable, I don't know how to avoid that with such a comment story. Maybe more could be made of the ocean crossing?

What does Juanita McMahon bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

She reads beautifully, her empathy shines. Her voice is almost hypnotic and very calming. This was just what I needed to help with insomnia.

Do you think A Mother's Shame needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No, I didn't make much of a connection with the characters so I don't care enough about them to make me read a sequel.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Awful accents.

The poor narrative of all the accents in the audio book has seriously spoiled the story as they are hard to ignore. Nuneaton in the Midlands has not got a “Devon/Cornwall accent ?!? Below what I expected from this author.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Irene Derbyshire

I have really enjoyed this story, a different author but very well narrated.
Life as it was in years gone by but never the less how people had to make the most of what they had and hope all would good in the end.
I recommend to other audio listeners.

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