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

Phyllis Karas

Apr 2019 · Tantor Media Inc · Narrated by Christina Delaine

About this audiobook

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 the author

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.

Christina Delaine is a SOVAS Voice Arts Award and multiple AudioFile Earphones Award-winning narrator who has recorded over 100 audiobooks. She is also an Audie Award nominee. An accomplished stage and voice actor, Delaine has appeared on stages across the country and has voiced scores of commercials and video games.

Anna Weeks is a teacher in the Boston City Public Schools. She lives in South Boston with her husband, Kevin Weeks, and their three children.