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Informative,
Dramatic,
Interesting

7 reviews

Philomena: A Mother, Her Son, and a Fifty-Year Search (Movie Tie-in)
by Martin Sixsmith

Published: 2013-11-06
Paperback : 420 pages
6 members reading this now
17 clubs reading this now
3 members have read this book
Recommended to book clubs by 6 of 7 members
New York Times Bestseller

Now a major motion picture starring Judi Dench and Steve Coogan and nominated for four Academy Awards: the heartbreaking true story of an Irishwoman and the secret she kept for 50 years

When she became pregnant as a teenager in Ireland in 1952, Philomena Lee was ...
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Introduction

New York Times Bestseller

Now a major motion picture starring Judi Dench and Steve Coogan and nominated for four Academy Awards: the heartbreaking true story of an Irishwoman and the secret she kept for 50 years

When she became pregnant as a teenager in Ireland in 1952, Philomena Lee was sent to a convent to be looked after as a “fallen woman.” Then the nuns took her baby from her and sold him, like thousands of others, to America for adoption. Fifty years later, Philomena decided to find him.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Atlantic, Philomena’s son was trying to find her. Renamed Michael Hess, he had become a leading lawyer in the first Bush administration, and he struggled to hide secrets that would jeopardize his career in the Republican Party and endanger his quest to find his mother.

A gripping exposé told with novelistic intrigue, Philomena pulls back the curtain on the role of the Catholic Church in forced adoptions and on the love between a mother and son who endured a lifelong separation.

Editorial Review

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Excerpt

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Discussion Questions

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Notes From the Author to the Bookclub

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Book Club Recommendations

watch the movie
by debbie1962 (see profile) 01/21/15
Our club watched the movie together at our meeting. The majority of are members enjoyed the movie more than the book, although the movie is a bit of a departure from the book. Judy Dench is never disappointing.

Member Reviews

Overall rating:
 
 
by Amanda B. (see profile) 08/20/24

 
  "Misleading title?"by Deb G. (see profile) 01/21/15

Although this book is titled "Philomena" it is really about her son. Philomena's story is a small portion of the beginning and an even smaller portion at the end. This was a good story but maybe a little... (read more)

 
by Kim L. (see profile) 01/20/15

 
  "Philomena"by Donna K. (see profile) 08/26/14

The title is misleading. The book focuses more on Michael's story than on Philomena. The story is a depressing look at the Irish Catholic churches mistreatment of unwed mothers and their children. It... (read more)

 
  "Philomena"by mary m. (see profile) 06/11/14

Overall, it is a well-written book. More info about the life of Philomena would be appreciated.

 
by Kitty S. (see profile) 05/08/14

 
  "Philomena"by Laura G. (see profile) 03/27/14

The story was an interesting topic, however it was hard to read at times, very textbook like.

 
  "Philomena"by Cindy O. (see profile) 03/24/14

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