Motherwell cover art

Motherwell

A Girlhood

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Motherwell

By: Deborah Orr
Narrated by: Gabriel Quigley
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About this listen

The number three Sunday Times best seller.

Just shy of 18, Deborah Orr left Motherwell - the town she both loved and hated - to go to university. It was a decision her mother railed against from the moment the idea was raised. Win had very little agency in the world, every choice was determined by the men in her life. And strangely, she wanted the same for her daughter. Attending university wasn't for the likes of the Orr family. Worse still, it would mean leaving Win behind - and Win wanted Deborah with her at all times, rather like she wanted her arm with her at all times. But while she managed to escape, Deborah's severing from her family was only superficial. She continued to travel back to Motherwell, fantasising about the day that Win might come to accept her as good enough. Though of course it was never meant to be.

Motherwell is a sharp, candid and often humorous memoir about the long shadow that can be cast when the core relationship in your life compromises every effort you make to become an individual. It is about what we inherit - the good and the very bad - and how a deeper understanding of the place and people you have come from can bring you towards redemption.

©2020 Deborah Orr (P)2020 Orion Publishing Group Witty Emotionally Gripping Heartfelt Inspiring Thought-Provoking Funny

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Critic reviews

"Raw, compelling, wise and tender." (Dolly Alderton)

"Motherwell is razor-sharp, fearless and wonderful." (Adam Kay)

"Utterly candid and staggeringly good, both as the history of a woman and the history of a place." (India Knight)
All stars
Most relevant
Fascinating listen about growing up in post war Scotland and commentary on mother daughter relationships.

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This is a touching and enthralling look at family life and how the actions of our parents shape who we are.. A truly unique and wonderful listen

Fantastic

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This is one of the best audiobooks I have ever listened to, and that's saying a lot. Beautifully written, immaculately read. Laugh-out-loud, agonising - I'm of the age where I share a lot of these reminiscences and it's ALL here. Totally frank, poignant and unforgettable. I only wish Deborah Orr was still alive to appreciate how this work has struck a chord with her readers/reviewers. Wow. Absolutely amazing. And what a performance by the narrator. Super stuff.

Superbly written, superbly read

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A deep book that brought back a lot of memories of place and time.

Marvellous

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I enjoyed this memoir by Deborah Orr and the stressful relationship she had with her parents. It was clear that she adored her father and when he disapproved of her behavior it really hurt her. Her mother was at times very controlling and she could be very cruel, however Deborah did not paint herself as a victim. She openly admitted that some of her own behavior was self destructive. I have known families with this type of dynamic and it is sad that the genuine love gets buried underneath the insecurities and petty jealousies. So sad that Deborah and both her parents lost their lives to cancer, especially when it was painfully obvious that they all needed to express the love they felt for each other.

Family at War

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