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Audiobooks > Fiction >  Literary > The Secret Scripture

Download The Secret Scripture Audiobook

The Secret Scripture Audiobook, by Sebastian Barry Extended Sample Click for printable size audiobook cover
Author: Sebastian Barry Narrator: Wanda McCaddon Publisher: Blackstone Publishing Format: Unabridged Audiobook Delivery: Instant Download Audio Length: Release Date: September 2008 ISBN: 9781481584104
3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 3.00 (6,016 ratings) (rate this audio book)
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Roseanne McNulty, once one of the most beautiful and beguiling girls in County Sligo, Ireland, is now an elderly patient at a mental hospital. As her hundredth year draws near, she decides to record the events of her life but hides the manuscript.

Meanwhile, the hospital is preparing to close and is evaluating which patients can return to society. Dr. Grene, Roseanne’s caretaker, takes a special interest in her case. In his research, he discovers a document written by a local priest that tells a very different story of Roseanne’s life than what she recalls. As doctor and patient attempt to understand each other, they begin to uncover long-buried secrets about themselves.

Set against an Ireland besieged by conflict, The Secret Scripture is an epic story of love, betrayal, and unavoidable tragedy.

Download and start listening now!

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Quotes & Awards

  • “Above all it is the surpassing quality of Mr. Barry’s language that gives it its power…It is like a song, with all the pulse of the Irish language, a song sung liltingly and plaintively from the top of Ben Bulben into the airy night.”

    New York Times

  • “Just as [Barry] describes people stopping in the street to look at Roseanne, so I often found myself stopping to look at the sentences he gave her, wanting to pause and copy them down…When I reached the last page, I did feel that I had shared a profound experience.”

    Boston Globe

  • “Luminous and lyrical.”

    O, The Oprah Magazine

  • “Written in captivating, lyrical prose, Barry’s novel is both a sparkling literary puzzle and a stark cautionary tale of corrupted power.”

    Publishers Weekly

  • “Wanda McCaddon’s British dialect is no hindrance to her remarkable portrayal of protagonist Roseanne McNulty, as she leaps into character with a stunning, perfect Irish accent that captures every nuance of the West Coast dialect. McCaddon’s performance is among the best of the year. Her believable portrayal is perfectly modulated and nuance-filled, creating a stunning listening experience.”

    Publishers Weekly (starred review for audio)

  • “Lucky listeners receive the gift of a great narrator and an amazing writer…Wanda McCaddon’s exquisite reading illuminates the lyrical writing and brings listeners deep into the book’s explosive emotions. Rose’s determined Irish lilt, a priest’s oily tones, Dr. Grene’s fragile neutrality. It’s all here, and it’s terrific.”

    AudioFile

  • “Author Barry (A Long Long Way) describes 1930s-40s Ireland in bold, vibrant language, while Wanda McCaddon (What Was She Thinking?) does a spectacular job voicing the characters, playing at turns an aging, haunted woman and a mourning male doctor. Among the year’s best audio adaptations; highly recommended for all collections.”

    Library Journal (starred review)

  • “Their stories beautifully unfold like blooming roses, breathtakingly revealing the ties that bind them. The prose is rich, and Barry’s gift for description and especially dialog are considerable.”

    Library Journal

  • “A subtle study of psychology, religion, family and politics in Ireland…Barry beautifully braids together the convoluted threads of his narrative.”

    Kirkus Reviews

  • “Sebastian Barry has created one of the great narrative voices in contemporary fiction in The Secret Scripture. It is a book of great brilliance, powerfully and beautifully written.”

    Chairman, Costa Book of the Year Award Committee

  • “By juxtaposing several views of the life of Roseanne McNulty, Sebastian Barry creates a remarkable portrait, detailed analysis, and an engaging mystery surrounding her life…Narrator Wanda McCaddon alternates between an old woman’s creaky rasps for Roseanne and Dr. Grene’s outwardly professional, sympathetic though insecure voice. McCaddon does a fine job of presenting the nuances of Roseanne’s history through these two characters’ actions, thoughts, and memories. Those who love historical novels will find this audiobook fascinating. Those interested in women’s history, especially in the times and places where women come under the influence of an unscrupulous, moralistic, patriarchal, and blatantly biased society, will come to admire Roseanne’s survival to the century mark. A thought-provoking audiobook for adults and mature teens.”

    SoundCommentary.com
  • Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award
  • Winner of the Publishers Weekly Listen-Up Award
  • Selected for the July 2008 Indie Next List
  • Winner of the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for Fiction
  • A 2008 Man Booker Prize Finalist
  • Winner of the 2008 Costa Book Award for Best Book of the Year
  • Winner of the Costa Award for Best Novel
  • A 2008 Los Angeles Times Book Prize Nominee for Fiction

Listener Reviews

Write a Review
  • 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Lauren | 1/31/2014

    " It was written well, but it took a long time to get into the plot. Once, I got into the plot it was ok. About halfway into the book, I predicted what the big twist would be. If you like somewhat predictable books, then you might like it. If you don't, then stay away. "

  • 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Vicki | 12/29/2013

    " Clunky, tiresome and predictable - don't agree with all the hype I'm afraid. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Debra | 12/22/2013

    " I was torn between 3 and 4 stars for this book. I think I would have enjoyed the audio version better (my sister loved it - the female narrator speaks in an Irish brogue). Although well-written and engrossing, this was not an easy book to read. It was just so depressing and maddening! Regardless, I'm not sorry I read it. "

  • 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Jak | 12/6/2013

    " I read this as we drove around Ireland and it is a new easy read. However, the ending is a bit obvious. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Bette | 12/5/2013

    " Roseanne McNulty, Ireland, spends 1/2 her life in a mental hospital. How she ends up there and why she stays makes a story of intrigue and love well worth reading. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Mum | 11/27/2013

    " It was OK but the author did not give enough cluies in the text to make the ending convincing "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 CarrieLyn | 11/8/2013

    " What a compelling and touching book. I could not mark it up because I borrowed it, but there were so many quotable passages that rang so true. And the shocking ending (which I won't give away) takes everyone's breath away, reader and characters. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Linda | 10/8/2013

    " This was the first Sebastian Barry book that I read and loved it. A lady who is turning 100 has decided to tell her story. Very good and thought provoking. "

  • 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Imen | 9/29/2013

    " Definitely a book where you "read" the words, and appreciate the way it is written, not just the story itself. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Debi | 4/16/2013

    " I enjoyed this book and the very interesting twist at the end. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Ken | 4/3/2013

    " Beautifully written study in perspective and the relative terms of sanity and mental health. Women in 1920's Ireland faced a treacherous minefield of sexual repression and two-faced morality, and those who strayed could find themselves confined in asylums. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Peter | 2/8/2013

    " I bought this because of the title that really appealed to me. Although it took a few pages to really get into this book, it just captivated me with its concept and how important it is to have some record of a life. "

  • 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Tricia | 1/29/2013

    " While the book has an interesting structure - essentially two diaries written by two different people - it doesn't have the sense of place or character to make it a good read. The story itself is quite convoluted, and disintegrates into a sense of impossibility once examined too closely. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Paula | 1/23/2013

    " Couldn't put it down, loved the way it was written, looking back through the eyes of an old old woman. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Anne | 10/16/2012

    " 'I am like my father on his old motorbike, careering at speed certainly, but holding so fast to the handlebars there is a sort of safety in that.' "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Jessica | 10/8/2012

    " Story alternates between Roseanne's retelling of her life of 99 years and Dr. Grene's piecing it together from mental hospital records. Which account is true? The writing is poetic...so poetic in fact that my wonky knowledge of Irish history was tested when Sebastian Barry referred to The Troubles. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Gemma | 10/31/2011

    " A lyrical and beautifully written story about an old lady committed to an asylum, and the doctor who tries to uncover the truth about why it happened. Sad and lovely, with some haunting images. I found the ending a bit glib though.. "

  • 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Danielle | 9/14/2011

    " It was ok. It was only to the very last couple chapters did the author ever get to the point of the book. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Campbell | 7/25/2011

    " So beautifully written I will forgive the bone jarring plot hiccup "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Catherine | 7/17/2011

    " Wasn't bad, a decent read, didn't move the earth but worth a gander "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Sandra | 5/13/2011

    " I'll look for more books by Sebastian Barry! "

  • 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Amy | 5/12/2011

    " I literally snored my way through. I'm sure it was a great book but I just need it to be a little more fast-paced. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Ashley | 5/11/2011

    " Excellent ending! Did not see any of it coming. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Anne | 4/24/2011

    " This was slow reading. Lovely prose, and quite a good story, but I found it too padded out, and not that easy to read. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Lucy | 4/21/2011

    " Not at all what I expected from the title. Great book. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Jamie | 4/12/2011

    " This was a good book - I wish I liked it more. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Leslie | 4/8/2011

    " A bit depressing; I had it figured out too soon so the last 1/4 of the book was sort of annoying! "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Conor | 3/20/2011

    " a very beautifully written book, loved every page of it. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Carol | 3/13/2011

    " Very good book about Ireland and a mental instution. The main character is a 100 year old woman the other is the Doctor. Good read "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Nancy | 3/10/2011

    " Really good story of an old woman's past, as told to her Dr.
    Interesting twist!
    "

About the Author

Sebastian Barry, named Irish fiction laureate in 2018, is a playwright and author whose novels include A Long Long Way, which was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, as was The Secret Scripture, which was also a Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist and winner of the Costa Book of the Year Award, the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for Fiction, and the Irish Novel of the Year. His plays have been produced in London, Dublin, Sydney, and New York.

About the Narrator

Wanda McCaddon (a.k.a. Nadia May or Donada Peters) has narrated well over six hundred titles for major audiobook publishers, has earned numerous Earphones Awards, and was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine.