Mardle Books signs Harvie's account of forced adoption

Mardle Books has signed Unspoken: The Silent Truth Behind My Lifelong Trauma as a Forced Adoptee, the second in the Stolen Lives series, from Liz Harvie. 

Publisher Jo Sollis acquired world all language rights directly from the author. The book will be published in paperback, e-book and audio on 7th September 2023. 

The synopsis for Unspoken reads: "In 1974, Liz Harvie was given up for adoption by her birth mother Yvonne. Although brought up in a ‘perfect’ household, the emotional – and physical – trauma of being taken from her biological mother would never leave Liz."

"Years later, aged 28, Liz reconnected with her birth mother and finally learned the shocking truth surrounding her adoption. She had not been abandoned. A social worker had snatched the 10-day-old baby from Yvonne’s arms: “I didn’t even get a final cuddle. She just took her away from me.” 

"Liz became one of 185,000 victims of forced adoption between 1949 and 1976 in England and Wales. As a young unmarried mum, Yvonne was deemed unfit as a parent by the government, churches, adoption agencies and her father – and made to give up her child against her will. Although reunited, Liz and Yvonne are still struggling to cope with the agony resulting from their devastating separation." 

Harvie commented: "I hope that my book conveys not just the historical injustices of forced adoption, but how being taken from your mother and being adopted affects us lifelong, causing a wound so deep that you wonder if you can ever recover. I hope my book reaches other adoptees, to let them know they are not alone."