A Swift Pure Cry

Siobhan Dowd (1960 - 2007), in London geboren, stammte aus County Waterford, Irland, und verbrachte dort einen großen Teil ihrer Kindheit. Nach der Schulzeit in London studierte sie in Oxford und begann dort als Redakteurin für PEN International und als freischaffende Autorin zu arbeiten. Nach schwerer Krankheit erlag Siobhan Dowd 2007 ihrem Krebsleiden.

"Movingly written, this is a sad but not a dismal story, given Shell's resilient personality and the support she gets from a generous-hearted priest. This debut novel is a fine and memorable achievement: it never sells its characters short and always stays close to what was thought to have happened at the time" -- Nick Tucker Independent "It's a beautifully written, lyrical story" -- Tony Bradman PEN "In a densely woven tapestry of poetic language, sensations, and childhood experience, Dowd's characters stumble through life, bewildered and bereaved, reviving feelings and emotions that are most usually pushed into the back recesses of the mind" -- Jamila Gavin Guardian "This story is told with the innocence and naivety of a young girl and leaves the reader to feel the true emotion behind it. This story will have you hooked; you will go through the usual emotions a well-written book should stir up - laughter, sadness, anger, and compassion" Irish Post "A superb first novel, beautifully written, deeply moving and full of heartbreak. Siobhan Dowd writes without judgement but with enormous sympathy and understanding" -- Julia Eccleshare Love Reading 4 Kids