Finding Herself - Maureen Reid | Historical Fiction Author

Author’s Note

The spark for this novel came from the Irish Civil War, a chapter in history that was rarely talked about. Yet the scars left lingered—sometimes in stories told, and sometimes in silence.

Finding Herself, however, is primarily a tale about love, forgiveness, and redemption. It is also about friendship—the friends who share your joy, lighten your darkest days, celebrate your victories, and hold you up when you stumble. Like Cate, these are the men and women in our lives who make a difference.

This is the final book in The Herself Series. I hope the women you have met—Margaret, Nell, Cate, and their friends stay with you. Women of courage and determination. Women of compassion, resilience, and grace. For they are like the women you know; the women you raise; the women you are.

*Spoiler Alert! Though this is a stand-alone book, read Choosing Herself before beginning this story. Many of the characters in that novel are reintroduced here.

Historical Facts

Cate’s journey in Finding Herself unfolds in the 1950s, a decade shaped by postwar prosperity, social conformity, and the introduction of television into the American way of life. The following historical events are woven into her story.

The Irish Civil War 1922-1923

The Irish War of Independence from British rule brought Ireland closer to its goal of self-governance. The guerrilla war between the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and British forces saw brutal tactics and struggle. When Britain and Irish leaders signed the Anglo-Irish Treaty in December 1921, it created the Irish Free State and provided a semblance of home rule. However, the treaty was a double-edged sword.

The Treaty offered a level of independence but still required Ireland’s continued allegiance to the British Crown. The six counties of Ulster were split from the Republic and remained part of Great Britain. The ensuing controversy set the stage of the fractious divide—splitting leaders, families and communities. It provided the seed for the Irish Civil War to take root.

The Pro-Treaty Forces also known as the “Free Staters”, led by Michael Collins, embraced the semblance of peace and stability, viewing the treaty as the foundation upon which the future of Ireland could be built. For the anti-treaty forces, referred to as the “Irregulars” or “Republicans”, led by Eamon de Valera, the treaty was a sell-out, the betrayal of the ideal of a fully sovereign Ireland, free from British influence.

In June 1922, Pro-treaty forces clashed with the Republicans who were occupying Dublin’s Four Courts. This action caused IRA units around the country to take sides and most, especially in the south, sided with the anti-treaty forces. The IRA began to wage the same fighting strategy against the Free State as they employed against the British. The newly installed Irish government retaliated by executing captured Irregulars. Soldiers who had fought side-by-side during the War of Independence were now fighting each other. Though a definitive casualty list was never determined, it is estimated that between 1,500 and 2,000 were killed and thousands more injured.

The Civil War left deep political scars in Ireland lasting for generations.

Magdalene Laundries

Magdalene Laundries were 18th to late 20th century institutions, largely run by Roman Catholic orders in Ireland, and supported by the Irish government. These were seemingly designed to rehabilitate women considered ‘fallen’ or ‘wayward’. To the outside world, these workhouses were seen as commercial laundry businesses. Inside those walls,pregnant women essentially became slave labor. Their babies were given up for adoption or buried in unmarked graves.

In all unraveled in Dublin in 1993, when the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity, operators of the laundry in Drumcondra, sold part of their land to a real estate developer. This led to the discovery of 133 unmarked graves. A public scandal followed bringing attention to these secretive institutions. The last Magdalene Laundry closed in 1996. Neither the Catholic Church nor the Irish government have admitted culpability.

Today the survivors fall into three main categories: those who have spoken out an demand justice; those who continue to live in silence; and those who died both inside and outside the laundry.

The Red Scare

In the early 1950s, fear of communism gripped the United States in what became known as the “Red Scare.” Senator Joseph McCarthy’s investigations created suspicion toward intellectuals, academics, and artists. Universities and public institutions required loyalty oaths, and even distant political associations could threaten careers and reputations.

Actors, musicians and writers accused of communism had their careers derailed and, in some cases ruined, by being named in the publication ‘Red Channel’. From there, the Hollywood blacklist was born, studios pledging not to hire anyone deemed a ‘subversive.’ Charlie Chaplin, Orson Wells, Leonard Bernstein, Lena Horne, Dorothy Parker, Langston Hughes, Peter Seeger, Arthur Miller, Lillian Hellman and Dashiell Hammett were but some of the names appearing on the list. They would go on to have careers within the arts community. Others were not as fortunate.

William Butler Yeats (1865-1939)

William Butler Yeats was an Irish poet, dramatist, writer and literary critic who was one of the foremost figures of 20th Century literature. He was a driving force behind the Irish literary revival and helped found Dublin’s famous Abbey Theatre.

Yeats was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1923.

Yeats was an Irish nationalist, though his early politics was not prominent in that intense political arena. That changed in 1922 when he was appointed a Senator for the Irish Free State. An elitist, Keats was a fierce opponent of individualism and political liberalism, seeing democracy as a threat to good governance and public order.

Book Club Discussion Guide

Grief and Healing

Love and Loss

Compassion and Redemption

Mystical Moments

The Reader’s Journey

You’re the Host

The 1950’s saw the introduction of TV dinners, Jello salads, and convenience foods to the everyday menu. Think about giving a retro-evening—channel Lucy, wear an apron, put some do-wop on your play list.

Here are so ‘throwback’ recipes that may work.

Chicken and Rice Casserole

If the casserole seems like too much to prepare or serve, offer your favorite deviled eggs instead. In my family, bacon is added to the filling — but the choice is yours.

Cherry Pineapple Jello Salad

Frozen Grasshopper

The sweet and creamy Frozen Grasshopper is a cocktail that doubles as dessert. Prepare two batches in advance and store in the freezer until serving.