Endorsements

‘Once I started reading I could not stop. I was utterly swept up by Mary’s story and her refusal to settle for the life she is expected to lead.’

KATE MILDENHALL, AUTHOR

‘From dust-filled collieries of Scotland to the bustling streets of Melbourne, Mary O’Donnell’s journey to self-awareness will have you turning the pages until the heartbreaking climax.’

LAUREN CHATER, AUTHOR

‘No Small Shame is an intimate portrait of a life shaped by circumstance; an epic tale of a woman who finds her voice and ultimately, her agency. Meticulously researched, ambitious in scope and compelling in realisation.’

CHRISTINE BALINT, AUTHOR

‘What distinguishes the novel is its rich characterisation. Each character in this carefully drawn work lifts off the page, evoking our enduring interest and empathy.’

NADINE DAVIDOFF, EDITOR

‘Christine Bell arouses our anger and compassion as she vividly depicts Mary’s everyday domestic world. I ached for Mary and grew to love the defiant spirit shining through her doubts, and fears. An absorbing, convincing, and heartbreaking picture of a woman trapped in an impossible marriage.’

JANE SULLIVAN, LITERARY CRITIC AND AUTHOR