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Clare O'Dea

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Clare O'Dea

Goodreads Author


Born
Ireland
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Member Since
July 2015


Originally from Dublin, Clare O'Dea is the author of two non-fiction books, two novels and a collection of articles. Her fiction, non-fiction and journalism often explore Swiss themes and settings.

Clare lives in Switzerland on the invisible border where the Swiss-German and French-speaking cultures meet. Her books have been published in Switzerland, Ireland and the United Kingdom.

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Clare O'Dea This book had been in the back of my mind for several years, as I went through the different stages of getting to know Switzerland. But I am glad I wa…moreThis book had been in the back of my mind for several years, as I went through the different stages of getting to know Switzerland. But I am glad I waited until now to write it because my views were evolving all the time, as was the country.
The basic concept I was working from was that the Swiss were misunderstood. It's tough being the rich kid of Europe. People either view the nation as an alpine paradise untouched by the problems of other modern societies, or as the boring HQ of a soulless moneygrubbing banking sector. I wanted to show that neither of these simplifications does the country justice. After more than a decade of covering Swiss news and making a new life among the Swiss, I felt the time had come to challenge the clichés.(less)
Clare O'Dea Might just be able to stop them. I've let them know. If you do end up with two copies, that's one Christmas present sorted! …moreMight just be able to stop them. I've let them know. If you do end up with two copies, that's one Christmas present sorted! (less)
Average rating: 3.96 · 338 ratings · 78 reviews · 5 distinct worksSimilar authors
The Naked Swiss: A Nation B...

3.86 avg rating — 154 ratings — published 2016 — 8 editions
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Voting Day

4.02 avg rating — 143 ratings3 editions
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The Naked Irish: Portrait o...

3.96 avg rating — 28 ratings2 editions
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Before the Leaves Fall

4.38 avg rating — 13 ratings2 editions
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All About Switzerland

0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings
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More books by Clare O'Dea…

Celebrating Before the Leaves Fall in three cities

Sarah Moore Fitzgerald and Clare O’Dea at The Gutter Bookshop launch (credit: Ger Holland Photography)

The last few weeks have been all about sending Before the Leaves Fall out into the world. I’ve been touched by the goodwill that surrounded the three events in Bern, Dublin and Geneva. I hope you can get a sense of that in these photos.

In Stauffacher in Bern, the Irish Ambassador Aoife McGarry

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Published on November 16, 2025 13:15
Autocracy, Inc.
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Quotes by Clare O'Dea  (?)
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“Did I really want to call myself Swiss if it meant shutting the door on less "perfect" residents?”
Clare O'Dea, The Naked Swiss: A Nation Behind 10 Myths

“By the time the Freedom Flights, to use the US description, came to an end, more than 260,000 Cubans had been airlifted to the United States, every one of them registered by the Swiss before they left Cuba.”
Clare O'Dea, The Naked Swiss: A Nation Behind 10 Myths

“In a very humbling process, the Swiss have had to admit to their faults and compromise on secrecy, changing the law and releasing the names of bank clients to please the US, as well as signing a dozen double taxation agreements in six months to please the OECD.”
Clare O'Dea, The Naked Swiss: A Nation Behind 10 Myths

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“The Swiss will never be the wild child of Europe; you only have to look at their lovingly tended vegetable patches to see that. But whether they are boring or not most likely depends on the eye of the beholder.”
Clare O'Dea, The Naked Swiss: A Nation Behind 10 Myths

“Did I really want to call myself Swiss if it meant shutting the door on less "perfect" residents?”
Clare O'Dea, The Naked Swiss: A Nation Behind 10 Myths

“It is not against the law to drink in public places, and you will see people drinking in parks or by the lake. The Swiss have a more relaxed attitude to alcohol consumption. From the age of 16, young people can be served beer or wine in a bar.”
Clare O'Dea, The Naked Swiss: A Nation Behind 10 Myths

“By the time the Freedom Flights, to use the US description, came to an end, more than 260,000 Cubans had been airlifted to the United States, every one of them registered by the Swiss before they left Cuba.”
Clare O'Dea, The Naked Swiss: A Nation Behind 10 Myths

“In a very humbling process, the Swiss have had to admit to their faults and compromise on secrecy, changing the law and releasing the names of bank clients to please the US, as well as signing a dozen double taxation agreements in six months to please the OECD.”
Clare O'Dea, The Naked Swiss: A Nation Behind 10 Myths

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message 2: by Clare

Clare O'Dea Jane wrote: "Hello! I see you're following Margaret Atwood too. The Handmaid's Tale is one of my favourite dystopian novels. When/if you work out how to use Goodreads, give us a shout, will you?"

Hi Jane,
I had no idea goodreads was social media style with friends and everything. Think I will enjoy when I get the hang of it.
Keep in touch.


message 1: by Jane

Jane Hello! I see you're following Margaret Atwood too. The Handmaid's Tale is one of my favourite dystopian novels. When/if you work out how to use Goodreads, give us a shout, will you?


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