Don't Wake Me at Doyles: The Remarkable Memoir of an Ordinary Irish Woman and Her Extraordinary Life. Maura Murphy

Memoirs don't usually do it for me but my sister INSISTED I read this. She usually has good taste so I agreed... Brilliant. Couldn't put it down. You don't have to be Irish to enjoy Don't Wake me at Doyle's. The poverty the Murphy's suffered was excrutiating , but a real leveller! Maura Murphy has a truly wicked sense of humour. I nearly felt sorry for her husband by the end (she sticks the boot in now and again) but, hey, he shoudln't have knocked back so much of the "blonde in the black skirt". Great read and very funny. My fav read since Davinci Code.

It is a very sad fact that in inviting reviews of books that not all will make a smile as wide as that of the many that clearly understood and felt the real life struggle endured by my mother and our family. This book is an insight into the lives of many irish women of that time and the many positive and supportive reviews that have been received are a testimony to that. My mother passed away suddenly last october having endured many illnesses. Her fragile body was finally laid to rest and her pain and suffering no more. The Boston lady suggested that the book was not a book that irish people would be proud of well that is her opinion. If stars could be returned she deserves her back as the words behind her review are ill tempered and in respect of my mothers charachter without substance. My mother was a strong true irish women who had the strength to tell the story of so many like her. She received incredible support both from home and across the globe evidenced by the many personal tributes received following publication of the book (and since her death) from women who also suffered in the same way. She is much loved and deeply missed by her family. Thank you to the many people who read and understood the journey we appreciate your words of support. To those who did not thank you for taking the time to comment anyway, I trust you enjoyed a life less deprived as youngsters than ours and i pray that your life will always be so comfortable. Carmel Murphy Lynch

I do not usually write public reviews but the Boston lady's entry entitled 'Dribble' [sic] has needled me. It cannot be allowed to stand unchallenged: it gives a terribly misleading account of Maura Murphy's remarkable memoir, 'Don't Wake Me at Doyles'. Mrs Murphy speaks with honesty and courage about a life undermined by extreme poverty and hardship, both in Ireland in the 40s and 50s and in England in the 60s. Her story is unique for its fearlessness, frankness and humour. She is speaking out for a generation of women silenced for so long by the might of the Catholic Church, incarcerated by patriarchy and oppressed by poverty. She is brave enough to acknowledge that her religion forbade birth control which resulted in nine much-loved children. The author comments on her state of perennial pregnancy in terms of the Church and her faith but she does not say she regrets giving birth to them. On the contrary it is clear the family's love and loyalty is what binds them through their difficult times. Mrs Murphy did not visit the priest for medical advice! This is a preposterous misreading of her words. Mrs Murphy's dilemma over her life-saving hysterectomy was one of ethics and religous faith, not of medicine. Mrs Murphy is clearly a proud Irish woman, a serious Catholic (why else would she have sought a priest's blessing?) and, quite obviously, a proud wife and mother. Her amazing wit and humour underpins the narrative and these are just some of the reasons for cherishing 'Don't Wake Me at Doyles'. This book is unique and awe-inspiring. Open your minds and hearts and buy this book. It is an education!

Growing up Irish has something of a fairy tale ring to it, but this book drives home a sad, hard fact that many Irish families grew up in incredible poverty. A culture of drinking to excess, large families and a church that expected nothing less of its female members than 100% subjugation - the fact that Maura has to seek church council to see if a hysterectomy might be sinful cuts to the bone. Maura's worldly experiences are not unique - she speaks of a generation of elderly Irish women who gave all, in silence, for the betterment of their families, even while being subject to the most horrific physical abuse at the hands of a "loving" husband. Maura might not be the victim in all of this - the unique diary extracts from her husband and children confirm as much. As someone who grew up Irish and heard of such abusive events in other families (thankfully not mine), I know that for her, this book is a truimph of reason and personality. She has endured and reclaimed her sense of self worth. Good for her! If you want to peer into the soul of Irish families, this is a great place to start. It's not pretty, it's not fun, but it is reality.

Don't Wake Me at Doyles is the story of a woman's life; a tough and gritty life but one that makes you laugh and cry in equal measure. It is one of those books that you can't put down, you just want to know what happens next. But beware, it is not a gentle stroll through leprachaun land. Maura Murphy is a powerful matriarch, a woman determined to release herself from the chains of class, sexism, anti-Irish bigotry and male violence. Maura Murphy emerges as a woman to be reckoned with, as all who come into contact with her soon realise, including her happy-go-lucky yet violent, Jekyl and Hyde husband John. I particularly loved the diaries, what a glimpse into the family psychology! Wow!! I have never seen this before in a memoir and I think that the author was very brave to allow other voices into her narrative, a very innovative device. It goes to prove that, in writing her memoir, Murphy wanted to get as near to the truth about herself and her life as she could; and it worked. The voices of her children (and her husband!) fight for attention!! There are undercurrents and sibling rivalries that Shakespeare would have been proud to have penned! Sometimes, as with King Lear, I found myself asking the question 'Is Maura Murphy a woman more sinned against than sinning?' And, as with the great Shakesperean King, Maura Murphy has her moments of madness on the heath, but my sympathies always remain with her, despite her pride which is her main downfall. This is a book about how women survive and succeed against the odds, it is a gem of social history. The final chapters seemed to run away and I was left with a feeling of needing to know more; I will definitely be buying the sequel!!