Say Goodnight

Synopsis

Sweet, cuddly, delightful babies - but it's time for these little babies to go to bed!

The much-loved and cherished babies are back in these delightful stories to help engage toddlers and encourage a love of reading.

Summary

Say Goodnight is a powerful, heartbreaking novel by Irene Zutel about the struggles and eventual rise of Mary Shea, a woman whose life has been ruined by a combination of poor decisions and systemic oppression.

Mary Shea starts her story with her teenage years, an abusive father, and poverty. She takes a job at a local factory that is rife with racism and sexism, and where the physical and psychological demands are beyond her capabilities. The abuse takes its toll on her and her relationships with friends and family are broken. Trying to escape the cycle of poverty, she embarks on a criminal career and this leads to prison eventually.

In prison, Mary recognizes the necessity of changing her life and decides to improve her future prospects. With help from others, she enrolls in education programs and begins to gain a new purpose and sense of direction for her life.

When Mary is released from prison, she is determined to become a better person. She is unemployed, struggling to make ends meet, and has a criminal record that will forever haunt her. A pastor’s wife offers her an opportunity to work as her housekeeper and this brings Section 8 housing. Her new job gives her a taste of freedom and newfound independence.

Mary begins to tackle the demons that have held her down for so long and starts to heal her relationship with her estranged children. As she slowly builds a better life, she encounters new struggles, like finding a job that won’t be influenced by her criminal background and paying for her sons’ college education.

In the end, despite both internal and external obstacles, Mary perseveres and is able to turn her life around and find contentment. She says goodbye to her old life and begins to look forward to the new one. The final scene sees her enjoying a peaceful moment, surrounded by family and looking out at the tranquil river, predicting a successful future for her family.

Mary's journey in Say Goodnight embodies the strength and courage of those who face adversity and are driven to remake their futures. It serves as an example of hope and determination, even when all seems lost. It is a story that will stay with readers long after they finish the book, reminding them there is always a way out of even the darkest of circumstances. And that despite our many struggles, we can still do our best to say goodnight with confidence.