At What Point

by Caitlin O'Ryan

At what point do we figure it out does it get easier will we find the answers will I feel okay?

Caitlin O'Ryan's debut collection is a journey of mirrors smashing and everything we have come to accept being called into question. With deep vulnerability and wit, she invites us to look inside of ourselves and to interrogate what we find there. Fuelled by the times that we are living in, her poems vibrate through the pages, grabbing you with a sense of urgency that says "you are not alone, I also feel this".

Taken from her live performances and featuring her viral poem 'AT WHAT POINT' which has amassed millions of views online and culminated in her being invited onto BBC Woman's Hour, this book will light a fire in you that will continue to burn long after you have put it down.

Genres: Poetry

116 pages, Paperback

Published August 7, 2025

Reviews

[Gabriela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first poetry book I ever proactively read. I stumbled upon a recording of Caitlin’s “at what point” poem and that was it.

I feel seen. I feel angst. I feel all the things and more. Cannot be more thankful for a book.

This is one for all the girlies and for all the women and for everyone in between.

[Alice Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note to self: read more poetry!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keeping this book nearby so I can reread it often.

[Simon Pitfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caitlin O'Ryan is an impressive performer, and the skipping rhyme and assonance and rhythm of these poems comes over best on stage, so I would advise anyone who can to take the opportunity to see her live. But part of the reason Caitlin O'Ryan is so good live is the power and the honesty and the generosity of spirit that these poems contain. Despite all the negative forces that swirl around young women in contemporary society, O'Ryan stands strong and creates the space to explore relationships, and consent and emotions with an unflinching recognition of the complications entailed in negotiating a path through the world. At what point will we stop draining our young women of the energy it takes just to hold a space for themselves in the world? Because when we do, just imagine how transformational that redirected energy could be!

[Alistair Harford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have had this book on my desk for a few months now, dipping in and out. It wasn't until seeing her perform recently that the pages came alive for me.

For anyone planning on reading this, I suggest visiting her instagram or finding any videos of performances you can. When you hear her tone, intonation and pacing, the poems are a joy to read, and I have been re reading them since!

[George Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can see myself coming back to this many many times.

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely gorgeous! Thank you Caitlin O’ryan

[India Baller-Theyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfectly captured what it’s like to be a female in your late 20a

[Bobbi Bilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

honestly this made me feel things I thought I had no capacity in feeling