Official Review: The Blue Washing Bag by Mary Clancy

[AvidBibliophile]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Blue Washing Bag" by Mary Clancy.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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When a blue canvas bag is left on a Catholic priest’s doorstep, Ballygore residents are left wondering what to do with the orphaned baby carefully tucked inside. When a reclusive widow steps in to raise the infant child, a headstrong girl named Daisy grows up under the watchful eye of a very sheltered woman. Readers initially meet the birth mother, Molly Payton, on the day of the child’s merciful abandonment in 1965, but as the plot jumps back in time, it becomes clear what sort of woman Molly truly is. Orphaned at an extremely young age herself, she and her twin brother James were sent to a children’s home in 1935. A traumatic separation at the age of eight triggered a cascade of emotional reactions that left her permanently sullen, subdued, and scarred. Repeated admissions to a psychiatric hospital in Dublin became her primary state of existence.

As the plot progresses forward to 1985, readers become privy to the private life of Daisy, as she begins to encounter and experience her own accidental pregnancy woes and marriage complications. Having grown up completely unaware of her canvas-bag beginnings, she receives quite the shock when the truth is finally revealed. Determined to finally uncover the identities of her true birth parents, she sets out on a quest to find a reliable eyewitness and meet her familial contributors.

The Blue Washing Bag is Irish author Mary Clancy’s debut novel, and I greatly enjoyed how various time segments of the storyline were interwoven. Through several creative character associations, Clancy was able to reintroduce certain personalities back into the plot in fresh and unexpected ways. I also appreciated seeing Daisy begin to embrace her survivalist instincts while determining what it was she truly deserved.

This 339-page novel is written in Irish English, a writing style quite similar to British English. I did come across more than ten errors while reading, so this novel would benefit tremendously from another editorial revision. The minor grammatical issues and typos were the only aspects of this book that I disliked. Readers will encounter several mentions of alcoholism, infidelity, and spousal conflict. Since several instances involve disturbing physical abuse and verbal threats, readers who are sensitive to intimate partner violence should be forewarned. There is also a presence of scattered profanity and at least one scene of implied intimacy, so I feel that this book would be appropriate for mature audiences only.

Repeated instances of panicked desperation, bargaining, emotional abuse, and accidental pregnancies put many of the characters in very tough spots, and members of both genders will do almost anything to avoid the shame of scandalous offspring. Catholicism is present throughout the storyline, along with a functioning abortion clinic, so readers with an aversion to the Catholic faith, and those who do not support the pro-choice movement, might not appreciate all aspects of the plot.

I would gladly recommend this story to readers who appreciate works of historical fiction. As Daisy begins to embrace a brave sense of defiance, she sheds her restrictive vulnerabilities and stops feeling like a paralyzed victim, but her investigative mission leads her down a path of vengeful retribution that tests her moral conscience. Due to the aforementioned typographical errors, this book earns a rating of 3 out of 4 stars, but if those errors were corrected and addressed, I would be inclined to give The Blue Washing Bag a perfect rating. Clancy effectively pulls readers into her world of intense family sagas and emotionally dramatic interactions, making us all contemplate how we got to where we are today.

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The Blue Washing Bag
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[RetiredOBNurse]

The story sounds intriguing and I’m sure was a very interesting book to read. I appreciate the plot description and the background info of the people involved. What a secret life so many of us live day to day and it’s never realized till a situation arises that brings out the truth...

[AvidBibliophile]

The story sounds intriguing and I’m sure was a very interesting book to read. I appreciate the plot description and the background info of the people involved. What a secret life so many of us live day to day and it’s never realized till a situation arises that brings out the truth...

Thank you, and I think that was the author’s underlying aim: to shine a light on the secret lives that often exist behind closed doors. A great deal of character growth and development occurred throughout these pages, as many of their lives shifted and transitioned. Greatly appreciate you stopping by to read and comment!

[Suzer6440 xyz]

I’m excited to look into this . Has an Emotional Tone but the many characters involved are interesting. A perfect read for me. Thanks for the great review

[AvidBibliophile]

I’m excited to look into this . Has an Emotional Tone but the many characters involved are interesting. A perfect read for me. Thanks for the great review

Well, thank you for checking it out, and I hope you get the opportunity to read this one! So many emotions and reactions are mentioned and explored in this novel.

[Raluca_Mihaila]

The book seems very interesting and helpful for some people struggling with similar problems. Thank you for your introduction, and I hope I'll get the chance to read it for myself.

[Harty Muli]

I like the book highlights the problem of delinquent children and unwanted pregnancy and how they affect society. Great review.

[GreatReviews]

such a touchy story that sounds. I love the opening of your review

[Mariana Figueira]

Your review really makes me want to read this book! Incredible job.

[AvidBibliophile]

The book seems very interesting and helpful for some people struggling with similar problems. Thank you for your introduction, and I hope I'll get the chance to read it for myself.

I hope you get an opportunity to read it too! Despite being set in an earlier time period, so many of the struggles and concerns are still applicable and prevalent today. Thanks for stopping by!

[AvidBibliophile]

I like the book highlights the problem of delinquent children and unwanted pregnancy and how they affect society. Great review.

This story definitely highlighted the presence of multigenerational, unintended pregnancies. Society will always be a melting pot of various cultures, religions, expectations, and contributors, but tales like this realistically convey the dysfunctionality that often accompanies accidental existence. Thanks for your kind comment!

[AvidBibliophile]

such a touchy story that sounds. I love the opening of your review

I appreciate your interest and comment! This one contained a meaningful and emotional story.

[AvidBibliophile]

Your review really makes me want to read this book! Incredible job.

Well that’s a huge compliment and one I’m genuinely honored to receive! Thank you
I hope you get the chance to read it sometime.

[Ellylion]

Sounds like a book that raises difficult and hard to embrace questions, but I believe it's still worth checking out. Thanks for this insightful and honest review!

[AvidBibliophile]

Sounds like a book that raises difficult and hard to embrace questions, but I believe it's still worth checking out. Thanks for this insightful and honest review!

I thank you for your honest and invaluable feedback! Certain moments of this tale were admittedly heartbreaking, but they were raw, genuine, and authentic all the same. Appreciate you coming by!