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Girl in the Tunnel: My Story of Love and Loss as a Survivor of the Magdalene Laundries Paperback – April 25, 2023

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 946 ratings

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A compelling new memoir by one of the youngest-known survivors of Ireland’ s infamous Magdalene laundries. Sullivan has been interviews extensively in the national media about her harrowing experiences. She discussed her ongoing fight for justice in RTÉ ’ s 2022 documentary Ireland’ s Dirty Laundry.
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From the Publisher

Girl in the Tunnel

Girl in the Tunnel

Girl in the Tunnel

Girl in the Tunnel

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

When little Maureen Sullivan was just twelve years old, she confided in her teacher that she was being physically and sexually abused by her stepfather. Never, in her darkest imaginings, could she have dreamt that she would be the one who would face harrowing punishment. Within twenty-four hours, Maureen was taken from her home and her beloved grandmother, and sent to the Magdalene Laundry in New Ross, Co. Wexford, run by the Order of the Good Shepherd nuns.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Merrion Press (April 25, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1785374524
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1785374524
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.6 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 946 ratings

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Maureen Sullivan
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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
946 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the story touching and inspiring. They praise the writing quality as well-crafted and brilliant, describing it as a brilliant account of the author's time in the Magdalene laundries and her home life before that.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

7 customers mention "Heartbreaking story"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the story touching and inspiring. They describe it as a sad yet triumphant tale of survival with different undertones.

"...Very tragic but also a story of survival." Read more

"Gut wrenching and heartbreaking story" Read more

"I knew nothing about this. The story was heartbreaking and inspirational. The bravery of this women is absolutely incredible. A must read" Read more

"Very moving story that is important to read and share. Well written. Stays with you long after you read it." Read more

3 customers mention "Writing quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing quality good. They say it stays with them long after reading it. The author provides a brilliant account of her time in the Magdalene laundries and her home life before that.

"Brilliant accounting of the author’s time in the Magdalene laundries, and also her home life before. Very tragic but also a story of survival." Read more

"Very moving story that is important to read and share. Well written. Stays with you long after you read it." Read more

"...Such a sad but triumphant story . Incredible woman, beautiful writer." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2025
    The fact that the catholic community allowed this to happen. To have these children treated in such a way, makes me question the whole charity, caring and compassion the church preaches every day.
    My only question is what ever happened to Maureen’s brother Michael and her mother? In the acknowledgment they are never mentioned.
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2025
    Brilliant accounting of the author’s time in the Magdalene laundries, and also her home life before. Very tragic but also a story of survival.
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2024
    Gut wrenching and heartbreaking story
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2025
    I knew nothing about this. The story was heartbreaking and inspirational. The bravery of this women is absolutely incredible. A must read
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2024
    The Catholic Church, behind all of it's glory, has much penance to pay. The ignorance of the times is understandable but the I humane atrocities committed should be recognized for what they were. The lack of humanity committed by those who hid behind "in the name of God" is abhorrent, and I hope they have
    been haunted by their actions. May God have mercy and bless those who suffered at their hands. And may God in all his goodness guide the Church in it's journey to reform.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2024
    Very moving story that is important to read and share. Well written. Stays with you long after you read it.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2023
    No one can imagine, unless they lived it. A stone cold heartless, cruel Catholic Church shattered the lives of children, small, innocent, defenseless children, in the name of what? In the name of whom?
    Every woman who reads this will shiver for the unbearable hurt and suffering of the 1000’s of Maureen’s subjected to those heartless people.
    I just wish Maureen we could go back in time, where I could find you and save you from all the heartache.
    16 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2024
    Not the best, not the worst. She flops the story around in places and it makes it somewhat confusing. Just meh.

Top reviews from other countries

  • Domino
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and honest
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 11, 2025
    A great read highlighting the cruelty of people in authority both in schools and religious settings and the miserable lives people lived because of the authoritarian regimes. Hopefully these cruel days are resigned to history. Well done Maureen.
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing reading, sad but hopeful
    Reviewed in Spain on September 29, 2024
    I bought this book in Spain and when I travelled to Ireland I had the oportunity to meet the author and join her book signing in Cashel library. Such a wise and kind person.
  • Kate Pyke
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Magdalene Laundries and their survivors.
    Reviewed in Australia on November 21, 2024
    I was saddened to read how Maureen was treated and other Magdalene girls/ladies.
    I take comfort in knowing she found peace through helping others.
    A great read but also sad.

    It saddens me that these nuns were so cruel, they were all hypocrites 😢😢

    Maureen you are a survivor xx thank you for sharing your story. Xx
  • Matthew C
    5.0 out of 5 stars Harrowing
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 11, 2024
    Girl In The Tunnel is a memoir of Maureen Sullivan, a survivor of the Magdalene Laundries, a system of institutions run by Catholic nuns in Ireland that exploited and abused thousands of women and girls for decades. Sullivan was only twelve years old when she was taken from her home and sent to the laundry in New Ross, Co. Wexford, where she endured unimaginable horrors and hardships. She was forced to work long hours in inhumane conditions, beaten, starved, and hidden in an underground tunnel when inspectors came. She was denied an education, a childhood, and a voice. She was treated as a slave, a sinner, and a nobody.

    Sullivan’s story is a testament to her courage, resilience, and strength. She does not shy away from the painful details of her abuse, but she also shares the moments of love and hope that sustained her. She writes with honesty, compassion, and dignity, giving a voice to the voiceless and exposing the truth about the Magdalene Laundries. She also chronicles her fight for justice and recognition, as well as her struggles with trauma and healing. She shows how she reclaimed her identity, her freedom, and her life.

    Girl In The Tunnel is a harrowing and heartbreaking book, but also a powerful and inspiring one. It is a story of survival, resistance, and redemption. It is a story of a woman who refused to be silenced, who fought for her rights, and who found her voice. It is a story that deserves to be read, heard, and remembered.
  • Judy F
    5.0 out of 5 stars Shocking Truth
    Reviewed in Australia on November 5, 2023
    Not an easy read for anyone who can empathise with a child. Maureen’s story is indeed dreadful as there was such an absence of care in her life and such cruelty. But Maureen has survived, with scars of her torturous childhood of course. The role of ‘religious’ people in her life beggars belief in those who have never encountered it, and needs historical Catholic context to be even a little understood. Maureen’s telling of her experience is simply powerful.