Elysian: A Novel

by Ní Chorra

Anraoi is home for the weekend. This is the last time you’ll see him before you move to London. While everyone praises Anraoi for the life he built for himself in Dublin and for the father he has become to his son, only you can see what's happening beneath the surface. Only you can save him.

You meander the streets of Cork city, meditating on your childhood with Anraoi, coming of age in the recession, and the implosion of your decade-long relationship with Jess, who left you alone in a city where you've spent your entire life but no longer recognise.

"Set in late 2016, Elysian is a stunning portrait of modern Ireland, told through the lens of a lifelong friendship. The author's use of vivid and evocative prose transports the reader to the streets of Cork city, capturing the spirit of a nation grappling with the aftermath of the economic crisis, environmental destruction, and societal change. The characters are complex and nuanced, their struggles and triumphs achingly relatable. The book is an emotional rollercoaster, navigating themes of loss, love, identity, and hope with deft precision. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a powerful and insightful tale of contemporary Ireland."

258 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 17, 2023

About the author

Author of Elysian: a novel.

Reviews

[Tom Morrissey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the hell out of this book! On its surface it is a story of friendship and growing up in 21st century Ireland, but underneath is something epic and profound about the failure of modern society to give us anything meaningful. It’s challenging at times but never without reward. This is definitely a book for people who like more experimental fiction or stories that get to the heart of things.

[Darran · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this novel. Despite dealing with some heavy issues, it never does so in a heavy way. The author uses their skill with words admirably to avoid that and there are some wonderful phrasings found throughout. I think it would be wrong to apply a label to this novel but, if I was pushed, I'd call it a love story. A love for a friend, a lover and a love for the city of Cork itself. As a hugely character driven piece, the city of Cork is as important a character and is as well fleshed out as any other character contained. It's not often a novel leaves you feeling equal parts moved and amused, yet Elysian achieves that. Like a Hillbilly's "Breast in a Bun," this is hard to put down once you've started.