Mirta and Alberto DeSalvo, after facing the wrath of state terrorism when their daughter Teresa is snatched away by the military in the middle of the night, along with her husband Ernesto and their young daughter Christina, are offered a lifeline to escape Argentina by Julia, a wealthy woman, who helps them out and wants the couple to raise her unborn child, Francesca, as their own in a small town in California. She makes them promise that they would never return to Argentina and in fact give her child a safe and non catholic childhood.

Set during the Dirty Wars of Argentina in the year 1976-83, The Confessional is a stunning historical fiction reflecting the trauma caused by civic-military dictatorship as thousands of families were ripped apart, suspected liberal left-wing political supporters tortured and innocent people ‘disappeared’ at night. It spans across three generations and focuses heavily on the pain, anger, loss, grief and resentment felt by the women who were suddenly left bereft of their children, parents or husbands. Dedicated to the lost children and childless mothers, the story is a tribute to the strong women who protested against such cruelty.

The narrative is presented in a series of flashbacks, recounting bitter experiences of violence and trauma as the characters navigate through their lives, grieving their loss but never giving up. Fiercely independent in their own ways, both Mirta and Julia, refuse to bow down to fate. While Mirta testifies in court against Bastiz, Julia had travelled to Argentina to save Mirta from the torture camp she was held at, despite being pregnant. Interestingly, time and again, memory is used as a symbol of protest. This is as much a story about The Mothers of May as it is a celebration of motherhood, reflecting the subtle nuances involved in the role universally.

The Confessional is an emotionally-charged historical fiction novel that follows a riveting family saga.

Pages: 368 | ASIN: B0977PNFGJ