Cygnet River by Sharron Martin

Set in Ireland in 1975, when the Troubles were raging, this gripping novel follows the life of Kitty Devlin. She seems to have it all – a devoted husband who earns good money and respect as a doctor and two adorable children. She lives in a home that she could only have dreamed of owning when she was younger. But it all comes crashing down overnight when she is blindsided. Her husband unexpectedly disappears in the middle of the night with his receptionist, leaving a typed note on the door of his practice, empty bank accounts, and Kitty being branded a ‘deserted wife’, shunned by many in her rural town, penniless and ostracised.

Kitty is forced to start over with nothing but a work ethic and a determination to care for her children to spur her on. To make matters worse, this is a period where ‘deserted wives’ were still married in the eyes of the Catholic church, and divorce was not an option. Kitty faces this terrible limbo as she tries to rebuild her life and her children's, despite the obstacles and hypocrisy. Along the way, embers from an old relationship are reignited, just as she finds herself getting unwanted attention from the parish priests.

She is just getting her life back together when her daughter is injured and goes to the hospital, and her husband makes an unwanted reappearance – now wanting custody of the children. Kitty now must fight to keep them with her.

Cygnet River is an outstanding read that draws you into Kitty’s predicament – it connects emotionally and is a thought-provoking, utterly compelling story of one woman’s fight to reclaim her life, despite numerous obstacles.

Reviewer: Karen McMillan

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