In 'The Secret Scripture,' Roseanne McNulty recounts her past from the confines of a mental asylum in Ireland, where she has spent over half a century. As the institution faces closure, her psychiatrist, Dr. Grene, delves into her history, uncovering the tragic events that led to her long confinement. Told through their personal reflections, the novel weaves together the enigmatic pieces of Roseanne's life, revealing a tapestry of Ireland's cultural shifts, personal resilience, and the painful consequences of misunderstood mental illness. Sebastian Barry captures the poignancy of a woman's endurance in the face of society's injustices, ultimately exploring the thin lines between sanity, reality, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive.