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Mouthing
Sharp-eyed and sharp-tongued, a multigenerational portrait of small-town life in Ireland from a refreshing new talent in literary fictionWelcome to Ballyrowan.This sleepy corner of rural Ireland may seem tranquil, but scratch the surface and you'll find a hotbed of gossip and intrigue - endless material for mouthing - and a town full of people only too happy to oblige in spreading the bad news.
Narrated by several generations of eccentric villagers, Mouthing traces the fortunes of one small community from the mid-20th century to the early 21st, in a series of highly confessional and darkly hilarious monologues. The good people of Ballyrowan delight in twisting the knife, in tormenting one another, in perfecting the art of schadenfreude. And, it becomes clear, none of them are entirely reliable witnesses.
As each character offers their version of 'the truth', upending our assumptions at every turn, we see how feuds are passed down through the generations, how families are estranged or reunited and fortunes made or lost, how strict social expectations can shift and loosen over decades (and how some things remain stubbornly unchanged). And we see how secret hopes and private sorrows, triumph and humiliation, pleasure and grief are all absorbed into the merciless chorus of mouthing.
Mouthing is an acerbic, unsentimental love letter to rural Irish life, where everyone knows everyone else's business and everyone has an opinion on it - where 'community' is both a lifeboat and a life sentence.
Narrated by several generations of eccentric villagers, Mouthing traces the fortunes of one small community from the mid-20th century to the early 21st, in a series of highly confessional and darkly hilarious monologues. The good people of Ballyrowan delight in twisting the knife, in tormenting one another, in perfecting the art of schadenfreude. And, it becomes clear, none of them are entirely reliable witnesses.
As each character offers their version of 'the truth', upending our assumptions at every turn, we see how feuds are passed down through the generations, how families are estranged or reunited and fortunes made or lost, how strict social expectations can shift and loosen over decades (and how some things remain stubbornly unchanged). And we see how secret hopes and private sorrows, triumph and humiliation, pleasure and grief are all absorbed into the merciless chorus of mouthing.
Mouthing is an acerbic, unsentimental love letter to rural Irish life, where everyone knows everyone else's business and everyone has an opinion on it - where 'community' is both a lifeboat and a life sentence.
256 pages, Paperback
Published April 17, 2025
92 people are currently reading
2188 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews
March 20, 2024
Another fantastic debut guys, depressing asf but all Irish books are. There, I said it. Each chapter written from different perspectives during different generations, creates a rich web of gossip from a small community in Ireland.
This quote sums it up well:
“And there are days when one word borrows another over the smallest of things and before you know it, sixty years have passed and there are two generations of two different families and not one of them knows why they've fallen out. Wouldn't spit on each other if they were on fire.”
As many names as a Russian novel so you’ve got to stay sharp.
She has such a grasp of how different generations think and feel and speak, and how views have changed over time. All the characters and dialogue are believable and three dimensional. It was a great read.
This quote sums it up well:
“And there are days when one word borrows another over the smallest of things and before you know it, sixty years have passed and there are two generations of two different families and not one of them knows why they've fallen out. Wouldn't spit on each other if they were on fire.”
As many names as a Russian novel so you’ve got to stay sharp.
She has such a grasp of how different generations think and feel and speak, and how views have changed over time. All the characters and dialogue are believable and three dimensional. It was a great read.
February 22, 2025
The endlessly switching perspectives is edgy and experimental in theory, but incredibly annoying to read. All the characters sounded the same.
There were also several instances where the same perspective occurred two or three times in a row - the same person, the same time, but different chapters? Not sure of this was clumsy editing or if there was some inscrutable point.
I also thought the whole rural Irish aspect was a bit overdone. It's hard to put my finger on why, but it didn't feel authentic.
There were also several instances where the same perspective occurred two or three times in a row - the same person, the same time, but different chapters? Not sure of this was clumsy editing or if there was some inscrutable point.
I also thought the whole rural Irish aspect was a bit overdone. It's hard to put my finger on why, but it didn't feel authentic.
May 4, 2024
Set in the fictional rural village of Ballyrowan, “Mouthing” takes the form of short interviews or excerpts from the points of view of various characters living in the area, similar to an oral history. From the first of these excerpts, I was hooked.
Mackey’s prose is evocative and realistic in a way that immediately grips the reader. The characters feel real, and I could almost hear their voices through her writing.
The author has succeeded in not only creating well-developed characters, but an entire community, underpinned by an intricate web of relationships that weave through generations from the mid-twentieth century to the early 2000s. This web is uncovered gradually through the various insights and windows into the lives of individual families, friends, and neighbours over time.
The format of this book gives us the opportunity to see characters through each other’s eyes as well as their own, and to hear different sides of the same stories, often coloured by rumour or perspective. This creates a sense of uncertainty at times as the reader is left to wonder which characters are reliable narrators.
In the final section, we meet an older character who has lived in Ballyrowan throughout his life. He reminisces and shares his memories of many local characters, giving his own perspective of life in Ballyrowan over the years, and touching on several of the stories told throughout the book.
I look forward to seeing copies of this book on the shelves when it’s released, and to reading more by Orla Mackey in the future.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin General UK/Hamish Hamilton for the advance copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Mackey’s prose is evocative and realistic in a way that immediately grips the reader. The characters feel real, and I could almost hear their voices through her writing.
The author has succeeded in not only creating well-developed characters, but an entire community, underpinned by an intricate web of relationships that weave through generations from the mid-twentieth century to the early 2000s. This web is uncovered gradually through the various insights and windows into the lives of individual families, friends, and neighbours over time.
The format of this book gives us the opportunity to see characters through each other’s eyes as well as their own, and to hear different sides of the same stories, often coloured by rumour or perspective. This creates a sense of uncertainty at times as the reader is left to wonder which characters are reliable narrators.
In the final section, we meet an older character who has lived in Ballyrowan throughout his life. He reminisces and shares his memories of many local characters, giving his own perspective of life in Ballyrowan over the years, and touching on several of the stories told throughout the book.
I look forward to seeing copies of this book on the shelves when it’s released, and to reading more by Orla Mackey in the future.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin General UK/Hamish Hamilton for the advance copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
January 27, 2025
Unreliable narrators set in the picturesque Irish countryside? Sign me up!
Thank you to my gorgeous Georgialicious for purchasing, you hit it out the park x
Thank you to my gorgeous Georgialicious for purchasing, you hit it out the park x
March 3, 2024
For me this took a little while to get into the writing style took some time to get used and it wasn't really sure where the story was going, I nearly gave it up as DNF but I stuck with it and am very glad I did.
Told over a number years we hear from in the first POV a cast of interesting characters retelling the same events in part from their perspectives. The writing is a chatty style like the characters are talking directly at you, after a few chapters I started to really connect with the writing style and really liked it. There was elements of dark humour among what were quite sad stories of small town life. The stories are sort of stand alone but there is small threads of connection within them all it does have short story feel to it . While nothing as such really happens the books has good pace and finishes up nicely with one character "mouthing" a conclusion to each of the stories told. The stories have real heart and make you think, you can see why the characters do what they do, the feel true to life, they seem like everyday people and as we all know everyday people have a lot to hide which in turn gives full to gossip and talk tales.
This book has an unusual style that some readers might not like but I did, it flowed well and the characters were all well written. There is a dark humour throughout that reminded me of Graham Nortons writing.
Fans of the pre mentioned Norton and Meave Binchy will enjoy this uniquely styled book.
Stick with it and you will "mouthing" it praise
On side note I loved Mona she was wicked in the best possible way, reminded me of Mrs Doyle from father Ted
Told over a number years we hear from in the first POV a cast of interesting characters retelling the same events in part from their perspectives. The writing is a chatty style like the characters are talking directly at you, after a few chapters I started to really connect with the writing style and really liked it. There was elements of dark humour among what were quite sad stories of small town life. The stories are sort of stand alone but there is small threads of connection within them all it does have short story feel to it . While nothing as such really happens the books has good pace and finishes up nicely with one character "mouthing" a conclusion to each of the stories told. The stories have real heart and make you think, you can see why the characters do what they do, the feel true to life, they seem like everyday people and as we all know everyday people have a lot to hide which in turn gives full to gossip and talk tales.
This book has an unusual style that some readers might not like but I did, it flowed well and the characters were all well written. There is a dark humour throughout that reminded me of Graham Nortons writing.
Fans of the pre mentioned Norton and Meave Binchy will enjoy this uniquely styled book.
Stick with it and you will "mouthing" it praise
On side note I loved Mona she was wicked in the best possible way, reminded me of Mrs Doyle from father Ted
March 21, 2024
Startlingly unique. I don’t often proclaim this about a book but this was like nothing I’ve ever read before. A scathing/heartbreaking/harsh insight to country living and how people and families can fall between the cracks.
It’s basically a chaotic stream of consciousness, exploring the thoughts and experiences of the villagers from 1962 to 1997. You get the inner monologue from one villager, then the same scene from another person’s flow of thoughts.
At first I wasn’t sure if I liked it or not, but I kept reading and next thing I knew I was finished the book. The unique style felt very immersive and for a few hours I was part of that village and I loved getting the kaleidoscopic view of life there.
The title Mouthing is so appropriate, I feel like it implies a certain level of exaggeration and with a cast of unreliable narrators it muddies the waters even more on who and what to believe.
Highly recommended if you enjoy character lead plots, a stream of consciousness format and a setting that could only be rural Ireland.
Thanks to Netgalley and Viking Books UK for providing a copy of this book for review. As always, you will receive my honest opinion, regardless of the book's source.
It’s basically a chaotic stream of consciousness, exploring the thoughts and experiences of the villagers from 1962 to 1997. You get the inner monologue from one villager, then the same scene from another person’s flow of thoughts.
At first I wasn’t sure if I liked it or not, but I kept reading and next thing I knew I was finished the book. The unique style felt very immersive and for a few hours I was part of that village and I loved getting the kaleidoscopic view of life there.
The title Mouthing is so appropriate, I feel like it implies a certain level of exaggeration and with a cast of unreliable narrators it muddies the waters even more on who and what to believe.
Highly recommended if you enjoy character lead plots, a stream of consciousness format and a setting that could only be rural Ireland.
Thanks to Netgalley and Viking Books UK for providing a copy of this book for review. As always, you will receive my honest opinion, regardless of the book's source.
July 24, 2024
I’ve never read a book like this, very strange but I did enjoy. Left feeling conflicted thinking god I miss my small town and god I’m glad to be out of it. Certain bits I felt like that could be my mam or grandad talking here fs
August 1, 2025
Excellent debut. All the gossip of a small Irish town, written with wit and affection. Funny and sad as all good Irish writers can do
September 28, 2025
schön & irisch & viel hab ich schon wieder vergessen
April 20, 2025
If Balamory and Eastenders had a child, it would be this book. I felt like I was right back home in Donegal. It was such a warm experience to read a book written in a style that feels so genuinely like the voices of people from my childhood. So much nostalgia. A perfect portrait of Irish provincial life.
January 19, 2025
No country has such extraordinary writers as Ireland; lyrical,luminous prose,witty,quirky,compassionate.
This is a great debut novel,by an author to watch.
This is a great debut novel,by an author to watch.
June 12, 2025
A very cool concept - short vignettes from many points of view chronicling the goings on in a small village in Ireland. When I picked this up I had hoped for a more gossipy / juicy feel but the book is often quite sad as you get the full picture on these scenarios that are being gossiped (“mouthed”) about. Maybe gossip is just kinda sad when you break it down? I think reading this book gave me the (should be obvious) reminder that everybody is going through something on a singular / private level. I am about to paraphrase a pull quote from the cover of the book but it really is a love letter to small Irish villages - the lingo, the customs, etc. I ate that part of it right on up!
October 19, 2024
Rep: lesbian character, character with postnatal depression
CWs: animal death, past child abuse
CWs: animal death, past child abuse
April 27, 2025
a massive gossip i loved it
May 26, 2025
I love a good multi person perspective but this was a bit overkill, hadn't a clue who was who a lot of the time. Fabulous title though!
December 2, 2025
I wondered about this books chosen title until the very end. Mackey's writing is very similar to Dónal Ryan's, extreme colloquial Hiberno-English in a very rural Irish setting. I did enjoy this book however I felt it lacked a plot/storyline. The focus is on the characters however I feel there was a lack in their development. The chapters flitter between the lives of various village people so much so that I got a bit confused over their connections. I would've liked to have seen where certain characters chapters go further, eg Móna and the priest and Joanne and her parents and kind neighbour Julia. However by the end I understand that the author is bringing to light small town talk/gossiping/rumours hence why you're probably left wondering..
January 14, 2025
Irish story telling at its best!
June 30, 2025
Shares the gossip and stories from different perspectives and generations from a small rural town in Ireland. Loved the authenticity of Irish culture throughout.
LOTS of different characters, however some I question their relevance to the story.
LOTS of different characters, however some I question their relevance to the story.
November 28, 2024
I loved this, an amazing insight into a “quiet” rural village, the people, the secrets, the scandals & the gossip
A fantastic debut novel. One of my books of the year. An author to watch out for and follow
A fantastic debut novel. One of my books of the year. An author to watch out for and follow
July 29, 2025
You know the kind of book you finish and instantly want to press into someone else’s hands? Mouthing is that.
It sat on my shelf too long, and I’m only delighted to have finally read it. Because honestly? It’s one of the most keenly observed, fiercely Irish reads I’ve picked up in a while — sharp-tongued, savagely witty, and rich with heart.
Set in the fictional village of Ballyrowan, “just about as good and as bad as you’ll get anywhere”, this patchwork of monologues gives voice to the gossips, the wounded, the watchers, and the judged.
We move across the decades, from the ’60s to more recent times, watching lives twist and tangle in true small-town fashion. Stories overlap. Characters reappear in the background of someone else’s crisis. Gossip echoes down generations, secrets spill, and grudges calcify. And every voice thinks their version of events is the truth. It’s up to us to decide who’s right — if anyone is.
There’s Mona, leaving behind her childhood ghosts to move in with the local priest (hiding plenty himself). Monica, exiled across the sea to erase a ‘problem’. Young Joanne, caught between sweets, silence, and the kindness of a neighbour. And that’s only a flavour; every section holds new voices, new hurts, and new secrets.
There’s trauma passed down like heirlooms, tragedy laced with hilarity, and enough small-town shade to blot out the sun. But there’s also connection. Resilience. Glimmers of hope.
This book is full of the stuff people carry, and the way they carry it — grief, shame, envy, love, regret — all tangled together and handed down, as trauma so often is, from one generation to the next. But it’s not a heavy read. Mackey writes with bite and wit and a deadly sense of rhythm. I laughed in places I wasn’t sure I should.
It reminded me of Donal Ryan and Alan Murrin in the compassion, the community, and the quiet devastation. The way ordinary people can be full of both cruelty and care. The way a place can hold you and trap you simultaneously.
A stunning debut. Unsparing. Fierce. The kind that lingers long after the last page.
It sat on my shelf too long, and I’m only delighted to have finally read it. Because honestly? It’s one of the most keenly observed, fiercely Irish reads I’ve picked up in a while — sharp-tongued, savagely witty, and rich with heart.
Set in the fictional village of Ballyrowan, “just about as good and as bad as you’ll get anywhere”, this patchwork of monologues gives voice to the gossips, the wounded, the watchers, and the judged.
We move across the decades, from the ’60s to more recent times, watching lives twist and tangle in true small-town fashion. Stories overlap. Characters reappear in the background of someone else’s crisis. Gossip echoes down generations, secrets spill, and grudges calcify. And every voice thinks their version of events is the truth. It’s up to us to decide who’s right — if anyone is.
There’s Mona, leaving behind her childhood ghosts to move in with the local priest (hiding plenty himself). Monica, exiled across the sea to erase a ‘problem’. Young Joanne, caught between sweets, silence, and the kindness of a neighbour. And that’s only a flavour; every section holds new voices, new hurts, and new secrets.
There’s trauma passed down like heirlooms, tragedy laced with hilarity, and enough small-town shade to blot out the sun. But there’s also connection. Resilience. Glimmers of hope.
This book is full of the stuff people carry, and the way they carry it — grief, shame, envy, love, regret — all tangled together and handed down, as trauma so often is, from one generation to the next. But it’s not a heavy read. Mackey writes with bite and wit and a deadly sense of rhythm. I laughed in places I wasn’t sure I should.
It reminded me of Donal Ryan and Alan Murrin in the compassion, the community, and the quiet devastation. The way ordinary people can be full of both cruelty and care. The way a place can hold you and trap you simultaneously.
A stunning debut. Unsparing. Fierce. The kind that lingers long after the last page.
December 9, 2024
Unique, moody with strong depressing overtones, I don’t think this one was for me but I can see the heart of the story. I did skim the last portion as I was losing interest with the many sudden new characters.
May 7, 2025
An unexpectedly propulsive debut from Irish author, Orla Mackey.
The fictional town of Ballyrowan comes to life through the thoughts and opinions of some of it's folk. As each little snippet of gossip is revealed, the picture of the whole community builds up, and you get to hear certain people's interiority and also their take on other people's business. Most of the chapters are only a minute or two long but the overlap of narratives, some reliable, some not, makes for an emmersive experience, much like being in the centre of small town dynamics.
This is a very Irish way of telling a story of community, the politics of treading the line between minding one's own business and stepping in to prevent harm, between keeping a secret or passing on a juicy bit of gossip.
Some heavy themes are handled very sensitively, particularly postpartum depression and child neglect.
For fans of Donal Ryan, Kevin Barry, Anne Enright.
I'll be keeping an eye out for this author's next publication.
The fictional town of Ballyrowan comes to life through the thoughts and opinions of some of it's folk. As each little snippet of gossip is revealed, the picture of the whole community builds up, and you get to hear certain people's interiority and also their take on other people's business. Most of the chapters are only a minute or two long but the overlap of narratives, some reliable, some not, makes for an emmersive experience, much like being in the centre of small town dynamics.
This is a very Irish way of telling a story of community, the politics of treading the line between minding one's own business and stepping in to prevent harm, between keeping a secret or passing on a juicy bit of gossip.
Some heavy themes are handled very sensitively, particularly postpartum depression and child neglect.
For fans of Donal Ryan, Kevin Barry, Anne Enright.
I'll be keeping an eye out for this author's next publication.
April 21, 2025
Mouthing narra diferentes historias de los habitantes de Ballyrowan a través de varias décadas. Hubo muchas de las historias con las que no conseguí conectar y por las que casi abandono el libro, pero la última de todas (la parte 4) me fascinó. Sin embargo, hay muchos personajes y todos están conectados, lo que hacía que me perdiera en la narración o que tuviera que ir atrás porque no recordaba su plot. La parte 5 fue sin más, pensaba que iba a tie everything up y con algunos personajes lo hizo, pero también incluyó algunos nuevos que me parecieron irrelevantes al resto de historias. Siento que el libro refleja muy buen la esencia del pueblo, de que todo el mundo sepa sobre ti y del cotilleo y de lo mundano.
April 19, 2025
live for rural town gossip! reading this book made me so glad i was not born into an irish village 50 years ago. i was waiting for one of those page turning finales and i just didn’t get it… i think that was the point???
September 9, 2025
Het boek gaat over verschillende mensen in een verzonnen dorpje in Ierland. Elk hoofdstuk is kort en vanuit een ander perspectief geschreven. Je mening over personages veranderde heen en weer als een pingpongballetje met elke pagina die je las. Ook kwamen veel van de plots samen in andere plots, maar dan niet op een cliché en ongeloofwaardige manier (kuch kuch the names).
March 11, 2025
This was just fine
May 18, 2025
I do love a depressing Irish book about small town gossip I dooo
June 8, 2025
Absolutely stunning writing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews