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  • The Girls Who Went Away

  • The Hidden History of Women Who Surrendered Children for Adoption in the Decades Before Roe v. Wade
  • Written by: Ann Fessler
  • Narrated by: Coleen Marlo
  • Length: 12 hrs and 37 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (8 ratings)

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The Girls Who Went Away cover art

The Girls Who Went Away

Written by: Ann Fessler
Narrated by: Coleen Marlo
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Publisher's Summary

In this deeply moving and myth-shattering work, Ann Fessler brings out into the open for the first time the astonishing untold history of the million and a half women who surrendered children for adoption due to enormous family and social pressure in the decades before Roe v. Wade. An adoptee who was herself surrendered during those years and recently made contact with her mother, Fessler brilliantly brings to life the voices of more than 100 women as well as the spirit of those times, allowing the women to tell their stories in gripping and intimate detail.

©2006 Ann H. Fessler (P)2016 Tantor
Gender Studies Women Americas Parenting & Families Relationships
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What the critics say

"Fessler recounts her own journey to find and reunite with her birth mother in this heartrending look at the untold story of American women compelled to surrender their children." ( Booklist)

What listeners say about The Girls Who Went Away

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Profile Image for Alexandra

love love love

such an emotional book. so insightful and beautiful.
as an adoptee, this perspective is so important toe and I am so grateful for a window into the hearts of first mom's ❤️

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Profile Image for debm

This book cracked open my heart in a healing way.

Recommended for anyone who has experienced adoption from any perspective. Real people-real stories-realty for all.

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Profile Image for Bridget

Incredible

I was born in the early 80's and I really had no idea except for a few movies I had seen as a kid. I'm not sure why I picked this up, but I'm really glad I did! I honestly learned so much!

I do however wish she could have included some of the cruel nurses, or nun's stories. This book made me wonder how someone who is supposed to be in one of the most caring positions becomes so jaded.

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