The Secret Scripture - Sebastian Barry

Roseanne is nearing her 100th birthday in an Irish mental institution where she has been sectioned for well over half her lifetime.  She is facing an uncertain future though as the hospital is being demolished and doctors have not yet decided what will happen to her.  The story goes back and forth in time, with Roseanne recounting her life in journal format and her doctor noting what he discovers about her case as well as what is happening in his life, following the death of his wife.  It's an easy read but quite depressing as Roseanne's life even prior to her incarceration was not a happy one and the background story of the Irish civil war and her experiences as a Presbytarian in a Catholic town were very interesting particularly because of my memories of the troubles in Ireland during my childhood.  The book deserves the plaudits it has won in the last year and I will definitely be looking out for other titles by this author.  It is well worth a read, but it is a bit of a tear-jerker and the happy-ish ending leaves the reader with a warm feeling - nice after the drama throughout the main body of the book.