You'll Forget This Ever Happened: Secrets, Shame, and Adoption in the 1960s

In the 1960s, unwed mothers maternity homes were flourishing, secret closed adoptions were routine, and many young women still had no voice. Youll Forget This Ever Happened by Laura Engel explores the oppression of young women who have committed the socially unacceptable crime of becoming pregnant without a ring on their finger. Engel lives inside a fortress of silent shame for fifty years but when her secret son finds her, she seeks acceptance and forgiveness.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 344 pages
Publication date: 10 May 2022
Publisher: She Writes Press

In the summer of 1967, Mississippi experienced a time of societal turmoil and change. While the Summer of Love was in full swing, unwed mothers' maternity homes were flourishing, secret closed adoptions were routine, and many young women still lacked a voice. However, a hidden world of oppression and silence existed for those who had committed the socially unacceptable crime of becoming pregnant without a ring on their finger.

Laura Engel's novel, "You'll Forget This Ever Happened," takes us back to the Deep South during this tumultuous era. Engel explores the lives of young women who were forced to give up their newborn sons for adoption, living in a fortress of silent shame for fifty years. When her secret son finds her and shatters her safe world, Engel confronts the questions that have haunted her for decades: Can a mother still be a mother without raising her child? Can the mother/child bond survive years of separation? How deep is the damage caused by buried family secrets and shame?

Through her journey of self-discovery, Engel seeks acceptance and forgiveness from herself and her son. The novel is a shocking exposé of a shameful part of our country's recent past, shedding light on the experiences of those who were marginalized and silenced. At the same time, it is a poignant tale of a mother's enduring love, showcasing the strength and resilience of the human spirit.

Engel's portrayal of the characters is nuanced and complex, drawing the reader into their lives and emotions. The novel's setting in the Deep South adds an additional layer of authenticity, as the social and cultural norms of the time shaped the experiences of the characters and the broader society.

"You'll Forget This Ever Happened" is a powerful and thought-provoking book that challenges our perceptions of motherhood, family, and the power of forgiveness. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of seeking truth and healing in the face of adversity.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 140 x 215 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781647423490