The Making of Her: A Novel [Hardcover]

Chosen as one of New York Post's Best Books of 2022

People were forever telling her how lucky she was. But what did people know?’

Dublin 1966. When Joan Quinn, a factory girl from the Cranmore Estate, marries Martin Egan, it looks like her dreams have come true. But Joan lives in the shadow of a secret – the couple’s decision to give up their first daughter for adoption only months before.

Then one day in 1996, a letter arrives from their eldest daughter. Emma needs her birth parents’ help; it’s a matter of life and death. And the fragile facade of Joan’s life finally begins to crack.
 
Spanning the nineties and the sixties, with Dublin as its backdrop, The Making of Her is the tender and page-turning story of marriage, motherhood, a culture that would not allow a woman to find true happiness—and her journey to finally claim it.“A wonderful read for fans of family sagas and mysteries.”
—Woman's World Magazine

“Bernadette Jiwa’s powerful debut serves as a tribute to motherhood and the strength of women.”
—Veranda

Memorable insights are quotable and the ending is satisfyingly true to the ups and downs experienced by Joan’s extended family. Fans of Maeve Binchey, Cathy Kelly, or Adriana Trigiani may find a new favorite author here.”
—Booklist (starred)

Tightly crafted women's fiction, with a sensitive look at love, conscience, and loyalty.
&mdash;New York Journal of Books<l³A