A Swift Pure Cry

Editorial Reviews

"By far the best novel I read in 2005 is by PEN's own Siobhan Dowd... it's already causing a buzz in the world of children's books. It's a beautifully written, lyrical story... if it doesn't appear on all the major children's book award shortlists next I'll be amazed (and very, very cross). Look out for it." - Tony Bradman, PEN Newsletter

"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, The Independent

"Siobhan Dowd's novel was inspired by a true story, but it has the momentum and fascination of a detective story. 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 in adulthood... has the fresh voice of a new author." - Jamila Gavin, The Guardian

"A Swift Pure Cry is the brilliant and heartbreaking debut novel by Siobhan Dowd inspired by a true story. 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. The only criticism I could give this book is that it was not long enough, I wanted more and I think that is the always a good sign." - 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 capturing Shell's confusion and the hypercritical and chaotic thinking of the small Irish community in which she is growing up." - Julia Eccleshare, Lovereading4kids

"A compelling story, well told...it is compulsive reading." - Oxford Times

"The plight of the pregnant heroine is conveyed with compassion and tenderness...a very human account to make readers weep yet also rejoice at the support she gains from her younger brother and sister." - Lesley Agnew, The Bookseller

"A poignant, yet ultimately hopeful, tale... this may be a teen read, but it is much more - a piece of young adult fiction with brains and tears. Dowd's handling of difficult subjects (teen sex, pregnancy, alcoholism, religious zeal!) is sensitive, and although the pacing is calm, it is elegantly managed and, thanks to likeable characters, the story remains compelling.... A Swift Pure Cry is a rare gem, carefully faceted to exquisite effect: sensitive older children's fiction lovingly crafted." - Hackwriters.com

"A beautifully written and heartbreaking story... the story will be familiar to everyone in Ireland but is no less shocking for that." - Mary Byrne, Inis magazine

"This is a story that will arouse strong feelings... told without a hint of sentiment or self-pity there is a tremendous sense of honesty in the fine writing." - Carousel