Missing Persons, Or My Grandmother's Secrets

A brave and rigorously humane book, "The Missing" by Seán Hewitt explores how far one would go for the missing and uncovers the secrets families keep and the violence carried out in their name.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 25 January 2024
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

This captivating and profoundly humane book delves into the intricate tapestry of history, intricately woven with the threads of intimacy. Author Seán Hewitt takes readers on a profound journey, exploring the depths of human resilience and compassion as he uncovers the untold stories of those who have been marginalized and forgotten.

In her twenties, Clair Wills stumbled upon a revelation that would forever alter the course of her life. She discovered that she had a cousin, a sibling she had never met, born in a Mother and Baby Home in 1950s Ireland. Despite growing up in an institution not far from the farm where Clair had cherished her childhood summers, Mary had been kept in the dark about her existence. How could a whole family, a whole country, abandon unmarried mothers and their children, erasing them from history? Determined to unravel the mysteries of her family's past, Clair embarked on a tireless search across archives and nations.

Her journey took her from the 1890s to the 1980s, from the picturesque landscapes of West Cork to the rural serenity of Suffolk and the bustling streets of Massachusetts. Along the way, she encountered absent fathers, the pain of lost children, and the silences that held the secrets of families. What began as an effort to piece together the facts transformed into an act of decoding the most unreliable of evidence—stories, secrets, and silences.

Through her meticulous research and heartfelt storytelling, Hewitt weaves a moving, exquisitely told narrative that sheds light on the profound secrets families keep and the violence carried out in their name. The book explores the complexities of human relationships, the power of forgiveness, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. It serves as a poignant reminder that history is not just a record of events but also a reflection of the human experience, and that the stories we choose to tell and remember shape our understanding of the world.

In conclusion, "The Missing" is a remarkable book that delves into the depths of human intimacy and history. Through the lens of Clair Wills's search for her cousin, Hewitt uncovers the untold stories of those who have been marginalized and forgotten, shedding light on the complexities of human relationships and the resilience of the human spirit. This book is a must-read for anyone who seeks to understand the human experience and the power of storytelling to shape our understanding of the world.

Weight: 320g
Dimension: 223 x 143 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780241640951