The grassroots nonprofit Finding Our Voices invites everyone to join an online talk on November 18 with Booker Prize-winning novelist Roddy Doyle, who will be Zooming in from Dublin, Ireland to join the discussion. 

Doyle will be discussing the domestic abuse that is central to his trilogy of fictional books that are written in the voice of Paula Spencer and span 1996's The Woman Who Walked Into Doors to 2024's The Women Behind the Door.

Camden Public Library is one of many libraries across Maine livestreaming the free, Tuesday, November 18, 2 p.m., discussion and Barnswallow Books in Rockport is among the stores offering discounts on the books. 

"The thought-provoking and unique Finding Our Voices Book Club discussions with authors offer rare insight into the ways domestic abuse is portrayed—and often hidden—in literature," said FOV. 

The special Irish-author series running through March will provide an additional opportunity to explore the similarities and differences with domestic abuse in Maine and that country, including the role played by religion. 

The Irish-author Book Club series was inspired by the actor Gabriel Byrne who lives in Midcoast Maine and last winter hosted a successful fundraising event at the Camden Opera House for Finding Our Voices. According to the nonprofit's CEO and founder Patrisha McLean, Byrne has been regularly sending her reviews from Irish media outlets on books involving domestic abuse, and when she lets him know of a book she particularly loves, connecting her with the author.   

A further Irish connection to Finding Our Voices is a 2020 feature story in the Irish Times about the 29 years of domestic abuse endured by McLean that she said resulted in "dozens if not hundreds of women reaching out to me to let me know about the domestic abuse they endured in Ireland and how much they related to what I went through in Maine."

The Finding Our Voices Book Club is part of Finding Our Voices’ broader mission to break the silence surrounding domestic abuse and shine a light on the complexities and patterns of the issue. 

“Shining a light on a problem is the first step to solving it,” said McLean. “These explorations with authors of memoir and fiction remind us that domestic abuse hides in plain sight and takes many forms. With both survivors and non-survivors participating from all around the world they are also an amazing way to foster empathy and awareness.”

Finding Our Voices Book Club is open to anyone interested in deepening their understanding of domestic abuse, literature, and healing through community dialogue. It is operated through the online platform Bookclubs that is run and was co-founded by Anna Ford of Camden.  

McLean contacted Roddy Doyle in 2019 after being "bowled over" by his first book written in the voice of Paula Spencer. He replied that, "Paula Spencer is the character I'm most proud of" and added that when this novel came out, "a woman who had been in a violent relationship said, 'How did you get inside my f**** head?’  It’s the best review I ever got.”

It is not necessary to read the books in order to join the Finding Our Voices discussions. For more information on participating in upcoming events visit https://findingourvoices.net/book-club 

Finding Our Voices is the grassroots nonprofit breaking the silence of domestic abuse across Maine including with impactful programs in high schools, as well as providing critical resources to women survivors such as Get Out Stay Out microgrants, access to free dental care, and weekly online support groups. For more information visit https://findingourvoices.net