Tough childhood means I am an open book
THERE are two ways of dealing with life in small-town Ireland. Keep your head down, your personal life discreet and convince yourself no-one knows or sees you. Or look everyone in the eye, let the world know your business and not give a damn if they do. Luckily for fans of Anna McPartlin and her novels, she chose the latter approach. Her experiences have been inspiring her writing since she burst onto the literary scene five years ago.
McPartlin was five when her parents split up and she moved with her mum to live with her frail grandmother in Dublin. Her mum was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and McPartlin became carer for both women. When she was 11, social workers were drawn to the plight of the happy but under-nourished youngster and she was fostered by an aunt and uncle in Kenmare.
