Sebastian Barry, The Secret Scripture Review

Overall Rating

As with his previous works Sebastian Barry's second short listed Booker Prize novel, The Secret Scripture explores the forgotten past of Ireland's troubled history. Barry draws upon his own family history in order to explore the history of his country.
Told from two narrative view points- Roseanne McNulty and Dr Grene- the novel explores the life story of Roseanne as she recounts her past in a 'secret scripture' which she hides under floorboards of her room in Rosecommon Regional Mental Hospital. Her story intertwines with that of Dr Grene as he attempts to unravel her past and prepares her for the imminent closure of the hospital where she has spent most of her life.
Other characters that feature prominently in Roseanne's past have a powerful effect on her story: her father and the local priest. One gives her freedom and the other is responsible for destroying that freedom and taking away her future.
This book is a poignant story of Irish religion and politics intertwined, exposing secrets from a destructive past and rectifying wrongs. The twist at the end may be considered predictable but Roseanne's moving story is emotional and powerful and will grip you long after you've turned the final page.