Description
This powerful and timely book shines a light on one of the UK’s greatest social injustices: historic forced adoptions. Author, Karen Constantine delves into the painful, often hidden, experiences of women and children who were torn apart by the cruel practices and systemic policies at the time. Taken gives voice to those whose lived experiences have long been neglected. With raw and often unsettling detail, the book highlights the need for an official apology and meaningful reparations for the trauma caused by these forced separations. It is a call to action, urging government to face the past and acknowledge the wrongs that were done, and to apologise to those that are affected within their lifetime.
Drawing on her background in social justice, trade unionism, and political advocacy, Karen brings her passion for equality to this deeply personal project. She shares the experiences of women and children who bravely opened up to her, many for the first time, creating an anthology that captures their strength and resilience. This book is not an academic exercise, but a humanising attempt to bring the issue of forced adoptions to the forefront of public consciousness, calling for justice.
While emotionally challenging, the book serves as an essential piece in understanding the full impact of forced adoptions. It is a tribute to the courage of those who shared their experiences and a rallying cry for change in the ongoing fight for human rights.
Published on 19 November 2024. Also available as an eBook for Kindle readers.Signed copies
If you would like your copy of Taken: Experiences of Forced Adoption signed by the author, there is an option to include this request in the checkout, before placing the order.
Daisy C on Amazon –
Poignant, raw, and essential
Reviewed on Amazon in the United Kingdom on 25 November 2024
This book is one of the most important works I’ve read in a long time. Full of real experiences and heartbreaking realities, alongside poignant healing and a look to the future, Karen highlights how the scandal of forced adoption still permeates and affects our lives today.
PS –
Heartbreaking story that deserves to be told.
Reviewed on Amazon in the United Kingdom on 29 November 2024
This book is heartbreaking. It is a beautiful collection of interviews by the author, whose own story is equally worthy of telling.
An important read to understand our (horrifyingly recent) history.
A long overdue book, and the author does this important topic justice.
Kenneth O’Mahony (verified owner) –
received it this morning , as i opened the package ,I must admit to swelling / choking up ,our stories are inside .I know that when i lie abed tonight i will have Trouble sleeping as i commence to reading , The thought that my own story and those of others on many Facebook groups have found out what their little bodies have gone through . Either physically ( even by being trafficked ) or swapped for the price of 50 Slates on a church roof is hurting allready .
796 in tuam , 500 in Bessborough , 400 in Castlepollard , unknown in Rosscrea , Ferryhouse or St Patricks ,St Josephs and St peliags , these babies didn’t make it out of those place …We Survived , hence the name they’ve give us …Survivors , Whom were taken ( often Sold as Orphans ? ) …
None can forget , The Nuns’ made it impossible to remember , Until DNA revealed my story and many others . My thanks go to the Author , Otherwise our history died with us , now Its out there , Having undertake many investigations and reviews , not Quite sure i can do this Justice ?…but i would recommend , advertise well , buy it before Christmas ( every year) , Read our story THEY ARE TRUE ! ..add it to Philomena, magdallen laundies and the Woman in the Wall .. let it become .part of our history ! Offer a copy to Sean Mc Dermott Education Centre , Dublin ( when ITs Built …)
roger j. on Amazon –
Karen Constantine’s well written truth about forced adoption
Reviewed on Amazon in the United Kingdom on 5 December 2024
Verified Purchase
This book about forced adoption reveals the brutal truth of the abhorrent practices that took place in the uk. It is a heart breaking account from the birth mothers and their children. Karen has given their harrowing experiences a much needed voice.
Written with care and compassion well worth reading.
Susan Burrough
Julie Haycraft on Amazon –
5.0 out of 5 stars Informative and full of emotion
Reviewed on Amazon in the United Kingdom on 8 December 2024
Verified Purchase
Having heard Karen speak at an event I promised I would read the book to increase my awareness of a practise I was blind to. The individual experiences are well captured and put plenty of meat on the bones as to why an aoplogy is essential. Well done Karen for putting this across.
Amazon Customer –
Unmarried mothers in England were forced to give up their babies
Reviewed on Amazon in the United Kingdom on 10 January 2025
This subject is close to my heart and I am so ‘pleased’ to read material that gives a voice to women whose babies were taken away from them simply because they were unmarried. I feel it is an important book which documents a part of English history that’s still held in the shadows. Much is known about the Irish mother and baby homes but still few people are aware that the practice of removing babies from unmarried mothers happened in England in the mid 20th Century too. My mother’s generation. This is recent history. Karen holds space for the interviews with sensitivity and insight and the accounts that are told here by the mothers and their children are extremely powerful. These people’s experiences deserve to be told and I thank Karen for doing so with such honesty and integrity.