The Making of Her

The Making of Her is a page-turning mother-daughter love story, spanning the 1960s to 1990s, charting one woman's journey to escape the legacy of the society that shaped her.

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

An absorbing, brilliantly paced book; I didn't want it to end. - Roddy Doyle

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 all is not as it seems.

Joan lives in the shadow of a secret - the couple's decision to give up their first daughter for adoption only months before.

For the next three decades, Joan's marriage and her relationship with her second child Carmel suffer as a consequence.

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.

The Making of Her sucked me in from the very first page, and didn't let up until I'd turned the last. Heart-warming and heart-breaking, it is an exquisite examination of the secrets that haunt us. I cried several times. A stunning debut. - Sally Hepworth

A dazzling historical fiction tale about marriage, motherhood and the tender moments in between. A wonderful read for fans of family sagas and mysteries. - Woman's World

Bernadette Jiwa writes with compassion and grace about what it means to be a mother, a daughter and a sister. - Pip Williams

Tightly crafted women's fiction, with a sensitive look at love, conscience and loyalty. - New York Review of Books

A beautifully crafted, thought-provoking novel that ultimately celebrates the strength of women. A true pleasure to read. - Ashley Audrain

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 favourite author here. - Booklist starred review

Bernadette Jiwa's powerful debut serves as a tribute to motherhood and the strength of women. - Veranda

While the issue of accidental pregnancy might have seemed an old-fashioned problem just a year ago, it's suddenly deeply relevant again. Jiwa reminds us that no such decision can be made lightly, and whatever happens will follow the parents—but mostly the mother—for the rest of their life. - The Star Tribune