Women of Southie, Phyllis Karas
Women of Southie, Phyllis Karas
List: $19.99 | Sale: $13.99
Club: $9.99

Women of Southie
Finding Resilience During Whitey Bulger's Infamous Reign

Author: Phyllis Karas, Anna Weeks

Narrator: Christina Delaine

Unabridged: 5 hr 54 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 04/30/2019


Synopsis

Women of Southie tells the story of six women who grew up in and, in most cases, still live in their beloved town of South Boston, a place most notably recognized as the home of organized crime boss James "Whitey" Bulger. But while Bulger might have been ruling the town with an iron fist, as depicted by Johnny Depp in Black Mass, what the town ought to have been recognized for are the brave women who ruled their own lives and their families with equally strong but far more beneficial hands. Six of these women are depicted in this book, each of whom faced hurdles more frightening than mobsters. Death of loved ones, suicide, murder, addiction, abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder are some of the demons they faced. Yet none of these women ever backed down from an important fight, each one emerging in this book as a shining light of what love and courage and an indomitable spirit can accomplish.

The stories of these women, whose ages range from forty to sixty-seven, are filled with honest details, some heartbreaking but all ultimately courageous and inspirational. Talking always honestly, about their children, their men, their losses, and their successes, they are shining examples that, in today's world, it is the words of strong women that offer the antidote to loss and pain.

About Phyllis Karas

Phyllis Karas is the bestselling author or coauthor of several nonfiction books, including Brutal: The Untold Story of My Life Inside Whitey Bulger's Irish Mob (with Kevin Weeks) and Street Soldier (with Edward J. MacKenzie, Jr.). She teaches at Boston University School of Journalism.


Reviews

My grandmother was one of these women who found resilience during Whitey Bulger’s mafia reign in South Boston. She lost one of her sons to prison, another to addiction, and another to addiction. Her children unexpectedly outlived her, but she was one tough lady! These stories chronicle the remarkabl......more

Goodreads review by Katie

This book was a good, quick read. I enjoyed the portion best about Karen Rakes.......more

Goodreads review by Carol

Interesting story of 6 women living in Southie during and after the reign of Whitey Bulger.......more

Goodreads review by Andy

Very disjointed writing and thinking. I’d say this book reinforces every negative stereotype of Southie and maybe even the Irish of Boston......more