Irish author's new book is story of woman who suffered in her life in America

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September 29, 2005
Listen: Irish author's new book is story of woman who suffered in her life in America
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In 1890, a 19-year-old girl stole her family's savings and ran away from her rural Ireland home to come to America. May Dunigan {DYE-gah-nan} had hopes of creating an exciting new life. She eventually became a prostitute, a grifter and spent time in prison for plotting to kill a jealous lover. May called herself "Queen of the Crooks." After her looks faded and she fell on hard times, a police officer encouraged her to write an auto-biography. It's THIS book that's the basis for Irish writer Nuala O'Faolain's new biography THE STORY OF CHICAGO MAY. O'Faolin's previous books "Are you Somebody?" and "Almost There" are New York Times best-sellers. She told Minnesota Public Radio's Greta Cunningham Chicago May was forgotten by Ireland and her relatives--which is not too surprising considering she left her hard-working family penniless.

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