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Where are the Kings
Not yet published
Expected 13 Aug 26From the winner of the Orwell Prize for Fiction and the Irish Book of the Year...
Jack is just twelve years old when he rushes down the hill after his mother's car on his bike, desperate to reach her before she reaches the lake.
What happens next cannot be undone. Jack's life changes just at the moment he is entering those dizzying years when he will transition from boy to man; when nothing makes sense at the best of times.
Yet Jack is not, is never alone. Enveloped as he is by his extended family - his ferociously loving Nana; Grandad, given to sudden bursts of rage; his earthy uncles Haulie and Theo who want to show him what it means to be a man, and irascible cousin JJ who resents him. Then there is beautiful aunt Rose, whose mere presence ignites ever atom in his changing body.
But how can a boy with so many questions, in a family with so many secrets, understand the person he is becoming? Without his mother to ground him on the earth, will he spin off into the stars?
Jack is just twelve years old when he rushes down the hill after his mother's car on his bike, desperate to reach her before she reaches the lake.
What happens next cannot be undone. Jack's life changes just at the moment he is entering those dizzying years when he will transition from boy to man; when nothing makes sense at the best of times.
Yet Jack is not, is never alone. Enveloped as he is by his extended family - his ferociously loving Nana; Grandad, given to sudden bursts of rage; his earthy uncles Haulie and Theo who want to show him what it means to be a man, and irascible cousin JJ who resents him. Then there is beautiful aunt Rose, whose mere presence ignites ever atom in his changing body.
But how can a boy with so many questions, in a family with so many secrets, understand the person he is becoming? Without his mother to ground him on the earth, will he spin off into the stars?
- GenresIrish Literature
Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 13, 2026
About the author
Donal Ryan
11 books1,178 followersDonal Ryan is the author of the novels The Spinning Heart, The Thing About December, the short-story collection A Slanting of the Sun, and the forthcoming novel All We Shall Know. He holds a degree in Law from the University of Limerick, and worked for the National Employment Rights Authority before the success of his first two novels allowed him to pursue writing as a full-time career.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 1, 2026
3.5 stars rounded up, it’s not my fave of Donal Ryan’s novels but it’s a really fascinating and moving exploration into of a child’s grief
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This morning I finished Donal Ryan's new novel, WHERE ARE THE KINGS.
This story, set in rural Ireland, is about a twelve year-old boy called Jack, who races down a hill on his bike, desperate to get to his mother before she reaches the lake. What happens afterwards changes Jack in ways no one could ever have imagined, and we follow him as he tries to make sense of his new life, suddenly enveloped by an extended family ... his Nana and Grandad, who bicker gently over the kitchen table, his straight-talking uncles Theo and Haulie, and JJ, who seems to immediately resent Jack's presence in the house. And of course beautiful Aunt Rose, whose existence brings Jack both comfort and confusion.
I have been a fan of Donal's writing for the longest time and the wonderful THE QUEEN OF DIRT ISLAND was one of the first novels I reviewed for The Guardian. This novel though ... oh my heart. To explore grief through the eyes of a child, and to do it so exquisitely and so elegantly, is just mind-blowing. The thing I LOVE about Donal Ryan's writing is that he uncovers the poetry that hides within ordinary life. He also conjures up characters so solid, so complete and authentic, it immediately feels as though you have known them for your entire life.
I adored this story. It's profoundly moving, incredibly perceptive, and contains a perfect recipe of warmth, humour and devastating reality. How do you mend a life that has barely begun? Jack, the whip-smart, heart-breaking young man at the centre of this book is an absolute *masterclass* in how to write an unreliable narrator. He will also join Scout Finch as one of my favourite fictional children of all time. Yes, this novel is that good, and I heartily recommend you preorder it.
WHERE ARE THE KINGS is out in August from Doubleday and I am deeply indebted to Milly Reid for very kindly sending me a copy. Truly, I will remember this story forever.
This story, set in rural Ireland, is about a twelve year-old boy called Jack, who races down a hill on his bike, desperate to get to his mother before she reaches the lake. What happens afterwards changes Jack in ways no one could ever have imagined, and we follow him as he tries to make sense of his new life, suddenly enveloped by an extended family ... his Nana and Grandad, who bicker gently over the kitchen table, his straight-talking uncles Theo and Haulie, and JJ, who seems to immediately resent Jack's presence in the house. And of course beautiful Aunt Rose, whose existence brings Jack both comfort and confusion.
I have been a fan of Donal's writing for the longest time and the wonderful THE QUEEN OF DIRT ISLAND was one of the first novels I reviewed for The Guardian. This novel though ... oh my heart. To explore grief through the eyes of a child, and to do it so exquisitely and so elegantly, is just mind-blowing. The thing I LOVE about Donal Ryan's writing is that he uncovers the poetry that hides within ordinary life. He also conjures up characters so solid, so complete and authentic, it immediately feels as though you have known them for your entire life.
I adored this story. It's profoundly moving, incredibly perceptive, and contains a perfect recipe of warmth, humour and devastating reality. How do you mend a life that has barely begun? Jack, the whip-smart, heart-breaking young man at the centre of this book is an absolute *masterclass* in how to write an unreliable narrator. He will also join Scout Finch as one of my favourite fictional children of all time. Yes, this novel is that good, and I heartily recommend you preorder it.
WHERE ARE THE KINGS is out in August from Doubleday and I am deeply indebted to Milly Reid for very kindly sending me a copy. Truly, I will remember this story forever.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“ Every single particle in the universe exerts a force on every single other particle. Nothing exists in isolation. Every single particle that made up Mam still exists.”
“ He remembers the pulse against palms of his parents’ hearts and he imagines the spot on the galaxy with no volume and infinite mass, the impossibleness of that thing, but the fact of it all the same.”
Donal Ryan knows how to dive into the hearts of all his characters and “Where Are The Kings” continues this perceptive exploration of the human condition.
This is the story of Jack Frištenský raised in a bubble of love from his parents but when tragedy strikes at the age of twelve, he finds himself living with his matriarchal Nana, Grandad, Uncles Theo and Haulie, Aunt Rose and resentful cousin JJ.
Feeling as though he doesn’t belong or sometimes not wanted, this is the story of how one family deal with a life-changing moment whilst still continuing to co-exist in their own unique way and supporting and loving their young relative.
Jack is entering into adolescence and his trying to navigate a new world as well as a questioning mind- connecting and understanding a different family dynamic whilst trying to understand what happened to his mum and who he now is ?
At turns heartbreaking and humorous, there is a beauty and melancholy that pervades the novel; there are some wonderful set pieces – family conversations around the meal table and family events. Set in the eighties of Ireland, a world that could be seen as so different from today but yet familiar to many , the minutiae of the period is wonderfully. captured. The growing bond between Jack and JJ is sublime.
As one of Ireland’s top authors, Donal Ryan has created a powerful coming -of -age story that is bittersweet, moving and a powerful testimony to family love. You cannot help but be moved by Jack’s story.
Highly recommended ...
Thank you to Doubleday and Netgalley for the advance copy
“ He remembers the pulse against palms of his parents’ hearts and he imagines the spot on the galaxy with no volume and infinite mass, the impossibleness of that thing, but the fact of it all the same.”
Donal Ryan knows how to dive into the hearts of all his characters and “Where Are The Kings” continues this perceptive exploration of the human condition.
This is the story of Jack Frištenský raised in a bubble of love from his parents but when tragedy strikes at the age of twelve, he finds himself living with his matriarchal Nana, Grandad, Uncles Theo and Haulie, Aunt Rose and resentful cousin JJ.
Feeling as though he doesn’t belong or sometimes not wanted, this is the story of how one family deal with a life-changing moment whilst still continuing to co-exist in their own unique way and supporting and loving their young relative.
Jack is entering into adolescence and his trying to navigate a new world as well as a questioning mind- connecting and understanding a different family dynamic whilst trying to understand what happened to his mum and who he now is ?
At turns heartbreaking and humorous, there is a beauty and melancholy that pervades the novel; there are some wonderful set pieces – family conversations around the meal table and family events. Set in the eighties of Ireland, a world that could be seen as so different from today but yet familiar to many , the minutiae of the period is wonderfully. captured. The growing bond between Jack and JJ is sublime.
As one of Ireland’s top authors, Donal Ryan has created a powerful coming -of -age story that is bittersweet, moving and a powerful testimony to family love. You cannot help but be moved by Jack’s story.
Highly recommended ...
Thank you to Doubleday and Netgalley for the advance copy
May 8, 2026
4.5⭐️
This is literary fiction, and Irish contemporary fiction, at its best. It’s a story told with such warmth and heart; so beautiful yet so poignant at the same time.
In this novel, we meet Jack who loses his mother at the age of 12 and goes to live with his grandparents and extended family. The story explores how Jack learns to navigate life with this new family, who have been strangers to him up until now, and also how he envisages parts of his mother in the world around him.
It’s a novel steeped in the intensity of feelings, but those sad moments are often broken with light humour. Bawdy language and cussing is the norm in Jack’s extended family, and I particularly loved the banter between his uncles - Theo and Haulie. I found myself chuckling away at some of the things they said and did.
I adored the depth of passion I could sense in the author’s voice, and I ended up loving this dysfunctional family who obviously cared so much for each other, without always showing it. They seemed to have a sixth sense for when Jack needed help, and were always there for him.
This is the first book of Donal’s read, and I’ll certainly be reading more. I loved his unique writing style, the way he incorporated parts of Irish history and the subtle way he explores Jack’s story with sensitivity and empathy.
This quote from the book really captured my heart: ‘Things don’t stop being beautiful because ugly things happen.’
This is literary fiction, and Irish contemporary fiction, at its best. It’s a story told with such warmth and heart; so beautiful yet so poignant at the same time.
In this novel, we meet Jack who loses his mother at the age of 12 and goes to live with his grandparents and extended family. The story explores how Jack learns to navigate life with this new family, who have been strangers to him up until now, and also how he envisages parts of his mother in the world around him.
It’s a novel steeped in the intensity of feelings, but those sad moments are often broken with light humour. Bawdy language and cussing is the norm in Jack’s extended family, and I particularly loved the banter between his uncles - Theo and Haulie. I found myself chuckling away at some of the things they said and did.
I adored the depth of passion I could sense in the author’s voice, and I ended up loving this dysfunctional family who obviously cared so much for each other, without always showing it. They seemed to have a sixth sense for when Jack needed help, and were always there for him.
This is the first book of Donal’s read, and I’ll certainly be reading more. I loved his unique writing style, the way he incorporated parts of Irish history and the subtle way he explores Jack’s story with sensitivity and empathy.
This quote from the book really captured my heart: ‘Things don’t stop being beautiful because ugly things happen.’
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
‘Where are the Kings’ by Donal Ryan is a subtle and profoundly moving portrait of loss and family—covering everything from the loving bonds to the complex dynamics to the sensed but never spoken secrets. We follow twelve-year-old Jack, who is taken in by his grandparents after his mother’s sudden death. With his father unable to care for him, Jack must navigate his grief and the transition to manhood, guided by his extended family.
While the premise could lean towards melodrama, Ryan’s writing is quiet and raw—and is all the more poignant for it. I particularly loved the depiction of Jack’s relationship with his uncles, and his growing but complicated bond with JJ.
As a literal reader, I occasionally struggled with the unreliable narrator aspect and the dense poetic imagery, which made it hard to discern the "ground truth" of the plot at times. However, this didn't spoil the experience; rather, it provides a perfect excuse for a reread.
Overall, this is a book that rewards close reflection and is a must-read for fans of contemporary literary fiction.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Donal Ryan, and Doubleday for the ARC.
⚠️ Death of parent, suicide, child abuse
While the premise could lean towards melodrama, Ryan’s writing is quiet and raw—and is all the more poignant for it. I particularly loved the depiction of Jack’s relationship with his uncles, and his growing but complicated bond with JJ.
As a literal reader, I occasionally struggled with the unreliable narrator aspect and the dense poetic imagery, which made it hard to discern the "ground truth" of the plot at times. However, this didn't spoil the experience; rather, it provides a perfect excuse for a reread.
Overall, this is a book that rewards close reflection and is a must-read for fans of contemporary literary fiction.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Donal Ryan, and Doubleday for the ARC.
⚠️ Death of parent, suicide, child abuse
May 17, 2026
Review of an advanced copy received from NetGalley.
Touching, poignant and fantastically moving, Where Are The Kings by Donal Ryan is an incredibly beautiful novel.
Narrated by twelve-year-old Jack, the story is bittersweet in its exploration of death, grief and the difficulties of navigating the loss of a parent during childhood. Following the death of his mother, Jack goes to live with his grandparents and extended family in rural Ireland. Each member of the family is vividly realised, from his kind and captivating Aunt Rose to the mercurial JJ, and every person surrounding Jack leaves a lasting impression as he struggles to come to terms with the enormity of the changes in his life.
The novel itself feels deeply poetic and consistently thought provoking. The simplicity of the narrative voice works beautifully against the emotional weight of the subject matter, creating something both tender and devastating. Ryan also uses apparitions and dreamlike moments to striking effect, giving the novel a speculative quality that adds another layer to its exploration of grief and memory.
An absolute masterpiece.
Touching, poignant and fantastically moving, Where Are The Kings by Donal Ryan is an incredibly beautiful novel.
Narrated by twelve-year-old Jack, the story is bittersweet in its exploration of death, grief and the difficulties of navigating the loss of a parent during childhood. Following the death of his mother, Jack goes to live with his grandparents and extended family in rural Ireland. Each member of the family is vividly realised, from his kind and captivating Aunt Rose to the mercurial JJ, and every person surrounding Jack leaves a lasting impression as he struggles to come to terms with the enormity of the changes in his life.
The novel itself feels deeply poetic and consistently thought provoking. The simplicity of the narrative voice works beautifully against the emotional weight of the subject matter, creating something both tender and devastating. Ryan also uses apparitions and dreamlike moments to striking effect, giving the novel a speculative quality that adds another layer to its exploration of grief and memory.
An absolute masterpiece.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A quiet novel that rewards patience.
Where Are the Kings follows twelve-year-old Jack as he navigates the aftermath of his mother’s death, moving into a crowded family home where emotions are rarely spoken aloud. Donal Ryan excels in the small, human moments: the silences, the routines, and the complicated ways people show love. It offers a a quiet piercing portrait of grief as seen through a child’s eyes, capturing its confusion, distortions, and small, stubborn moments of resilience.
The relationship between Jack and his cousin JJ is the heart of the book, developing slowly but with authenticity. Where the novel may challenge some readers is in its structure. Jack’s perspective blurs memory and imagination, and at times it can be difficult to separate what’s real from what’s not. It didn’t always land for me, but it adds to the atmosphere of grief and disorientation.
Not the easiest read, but in the end it was worthwhile.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Random House UK, and the author Donal Ryan for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Where Are the Kings follows twelve-year-old Jack as he navigates the aftermath of his mother’s death, moving into a crowded family home where emotions are rarely spoken aloud. Donal Ryan excels in the small, human moments: the silences, the routines, and the complicated ways people show love. It offers a a quiet piercing portrait of grief as seen through a child’s eyes, capturing its confusion, distortions, and small, stubborn moments of resilience.
The relationship between Jack and his cousin JJ is the heart of the book, developing slowly but with authenticity. Where the novel may challenge some readers is in its structure. Jack’s perspective blurs memory and imagination, and at times it can be difficult to separate what’s real from what’s not. It didn’t always land for me, but it adds to the atmosphere of grief and disorientation.
Not the easiest read, but in the end it was worthwhile.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Random House UK, and the author Donal Ryan for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
After a family tragedy twelve year old Jack is taken to live with his mother’s family who, over the next few years, nurture and protect him, sometimes from their own secrets.
In this gripping, warm and wise book Donal Ryan writes with so much understanding about what is going on in Jack’s life when nothing makes sense amid the angst of adolescence.
From his wonderfully grounded uncles, Haulie and Theo, his worryingly attractive Aunt Rose, his younger uncle the mercurial and resentful JJ, all ruled over by Nana and Grandad, each character is portrayed perfectly.
What makes this book so special for me is the eloquent and lyrical way the author explores the effects of grief and how the different family members deal with it.
This along with authentic characters who have the reader veering from tears to laughter makes “Where are the Kings” an outstanding read.
Many thanks to NetGalley & Random House UK for the ARC
In this gripping, warm and wise book Donal Ryan writes with so much understanding about what is going on in Jack’s life when nothing makes sense amid the angst of adolescence.
From his wonderfully grounded uncles, Haulie and Theo, his worryingly attractive Aunt Rose, his younger uncle the mercurial and resentful JJ, all ruled over by Nana and Grandad, each character is portrayed perfectly.
What makes this book so special for me is the eloquent and lyrical way the author explores the effects of grief and how the different family members deal with it.
This along with authentic characters who have the reader veering from tears to laughter makes “Where are the Kings” an outstanding read.
Many thanks to NetGalley & Random House UK for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Where are the Kings by Donal Ryan is a well written and thoughtful novel about grief, family and the bewilderment of adolescence. The story follows twelve-year-old Jack after the death of his mother, as he is folded into the noisy, complicated embrace of his extended family in rural Ireland. Ryan captures the confusion and loneliness of a young boy trying to make sense of loss with great sensitivity.
The writing is, as expected from Ryan, often beautiful and full of sharply observed moments. The family dynamics felt authentic, particularly the mix of affection, resentment and unspoken tensions running through the household. I especially liked the way grief was shown as something messy and ongoing rather than neat or sentimental.
At times I found the novel slightly too dreamlike and fragmented for my taste, and there were moments where the imagery overwhelmed the story itself. Even so, there is real warmth here and Jack’s sadness is handled with care and compassion.
The writing is, as expected from Ryan, often beautiful and full of sharply observed moments. The family dynamics felt authentic, particularly the mix of affection, resentment and unspoken tensions running through the household. I especially liked the way grief was shown as something messy and ongoing rather than neat or sentimental.
At times I found the novel slightly too dreamlike and fragmented for my taste, and there were moments where the imagery overwhelmed the story itself. Even so, there is real warmth here and Jack’s sadness is handled with care and compassion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
For me a new Donal Ryan is something to get excited by. I've been a fan since his debut The Spinning Heart back in 2012. His latest, Where are the Kings, is the story of Jack, a young boy who following tragedy is taken in by his grandparents. His family try and shield him from adult truths, but cracks start to appear as Jack edges towards adulthood.
Ryan, though lyrical prose, creates a portrait of a boy that is tender and authentic, and his detailing of the 'family' life he is taken into his well drawn. There are memorable sequences here, and Ryan knows how to have his reader feel engaged and moved. Where are the Kings is another beautiful novel by Ryan, and a likely candidate for some literary prizes later in the year. I loved it.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC.
Ryan, though lyrical prose, creates a portrait of a boy that is tender and authentic, and his detailing of the 'family' life he is taken into his well drawn. There are memorable sequences here, and Ryan knows how to have his reader feel engaged and moved. Where are the Kings is another beautiful novel by Ryan, and a likely candidate for some literary prizes later in the year. I loved it.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A wonderful, powerful novel that plunges us into the disoriented mind of a boy grieving his mother, having taken her own life, and his father, held in a psychiatric ward.
Sheltered by the protection of his mother’s family, he navigates love, confusion, emerging desire, and the weight of secrets he can barely comprehend. The story unfolds as a dizzy, almost hallucinatory coming‑of‑age marked by loss and revelation.
Ryan is a wordsmith that makes me hear an Irish accent as I read, and enriches the novel by weaving history and striking Irish landscapes amongst the fiction.
Transworld Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Sheltered by the protection of his mother’s family, he navigates love, confusion, emerging desire, and the weight of secrets he can barely comprehend. The story unfolds as a dizzy, almost hallucinatory coming‑of‑age marked by loss and revelation.
Ryan is a wordsmith that makes me hear an Irish accent as I read, and enriches the novel by weaving history and striking Irish landscapes amongst the fiction.
Transworld Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
April 27, 2026
I found this book to be very sad as it navigates Jack’s grief after his mother commits suicide, leaving him behind aged 12. The teens can be a difficult time for any young boy but Jack is further confused by the presence of his beautiful Aunt Rose, about whom he has sexual fantasies. He now has to live at his grandparents’ house, where he is the youngest. There is love for him there but he doesn’t always see it. As he becomes a young man his grief takes stranger forms and he often fantasises as if something is happening that isn’t. He learns secrets at the end which go some way to explaining his mother’s behaviour.
The book is well written but I cannot say I ‘enjoyed’ it. It touched too many nerves for me.
I read an ARC provided by netGalley and the publishers. Thank you.
The book is well written but I cannot say I ‘enjoyed’ it. It touched too many nerves for me.
I read an ARC provided by netGalley and the publishers. Thank you.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It’s relaxing to sink into a familiar Irish soundscape of patter and repartee.
But in this story we are always trying to look around the darkness and hurt caused to Jack by his mother’s suicide. So the loving grandparents and uncles, with their gentle banter, support Jack, giving him time, to perhaps lessen the hurt, and perhaps, perhaps to understand it.
A beautifully modulated story of living with grief as a child.
I received a Netgalley copy of this book, but this review is my honest opinion.
But in this story we are always trying to look around the darkness and hurt caused to Jack by his mother’s suicide. So the loving grandparents and uncles, with their gentle banter, support Jack, giving him time, to perhaps lessen the hurt, and perhaps, perhaps to understand it.
A beautifully modulated story of living with grief as a child.
I received a Netgalley copy of this book, but this review is my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
There is no such thing I believe as a bad Donal Ryan book.
They all shine in their own way.
This one has the most wonderful characters.
They made me smile, and they made me sad.
12 year old Jack struggling to come to terms with his grief, and other emotions. Surrounded by his aunt, and uncles, all of whom are equally memorable.
Could well leave you a bit misty eyed at times.
Ryan has a way with words, and writes beautifully as always.
Thanks to netgalley for the free digital copy
They all shine in their own way.
This one has the most wonderful characters.
They made me smile, and they made me sad.
12 year old Jack struggling to come to terms with his grief, and other emotions. Surrounded by his aunt, and uncles, all of whom are equally memorable.
Could well leave you a bit misty eyed at times.
Ryan has a way with words, and writes beautifully as always.
Thanks to netgalley for the free digital copy
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
'Where Are The Kings' is a bitter sweet novel exploring the emotional aftermath of Jack's mum's suicide. It's beautifully written but not always an easy read. Donal Ryan's words are as usual spot on in the telling of this Irish coming of age family drama. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an arc.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thanks to Kirsty Dunseath at Doubleday for my advance copy of this stunning novel. Jack Fristensky joins Esther Greenwood and Rachel Walsh as one of my favourite fictional characters of all time. I love him, love him, love him, and I love Donal Ryan. My heart.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thankyou to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC but unfortunately I had to DNF at 38%. The presentation and writing style made it difficult to follow. The lack of clear separation between dialogue and narration—no speech marks or distinct breaks—meant everything seemed to merge together. I often couldn’t tell who was speaking, whether it was the narrator or a character, and I ended up rereading sections repeatedly, which pulled me out of the story.
Feeling disappointed —I really wanted to like this book, and I’m sure it will resonate with other readers. It’s disappointing, as I was interested in both the concept and the emotional depth the story promised, ultimately it wasn’t a good fit for me.
Feeling disappointed —I really wanted to like this book, and I’m sure it will resonate with other readers. It’s disappointing, as I was interested in both the concept and the emotional depth the story promised, ultimately it wasn’t a good fit for me.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I will never forget this book and the characters in it. This kind of writing can save lives.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Truly beautiful
I absolutely adored one of the authors previous books Heart be at peace which was on my top reads of 2024 therefore when I saw this one on NetGalley I immediately requested it and was delighted to be approved it went straight to the top of my reading list
I sat in my garden what feels like the first day of spring and read this book in one sitting my simply could not put it down.. The novel introduces us to Jack a 12 year-old Irish boy who is mourning the death of his mother by drowning. He is morning alone but he’s surrounded by an extended family who love him deeply and do their best to help.. 12 is a difficult age for any child, but when you’ve witnessed your mother drown herself your heart must be in turmoil.
Donal really has the knack to drill down precisely into what makes each individual human unique and memorable. He describes his characters so beautifully that they are immediately three-dimensional and jump off the page at you. This detail is lavished on each of the characters no matter that has small a part they play in the story.
The author has a beautiful lyrical almost poetic way of writing. I’m finding the words washing over me and surrounding me with beauty. It’s all I can do not to stop and highlight multiple sentences on the page of my Kindle
This is a novel full of love extolling the beauties of a family relationship tricky at times, but in Jack’s case ultimately supporting a fragile young boy
The Irish setting and the inner Irishness of the characters is clear from the start and throughout this novel but of course there are not multiple similarities to I suspect any Europeans life for us to to understand the characters
I would recommend this novel for those who like primarily character based novels if you like the novels of John Boyne for example I suspect you will love Donal’s writing as much as I do. Between them, they demonstrate the persistence genius of Irish writers.
I read an early copy of the novel on NetGalley UK in return for an honest review book is published in the UK on the 13th of August 2026 by random house UK Transworld publishers
This review will appear on NetGalley UK, Goodreads, StoryGraph, and my book bionicSarahsbooks.wordpress.com
After publication, it will also appear on Amazon UK and Waterstones online
I absolutely adored one of the authors previous books Heart be at peace which was on my top reads of 2024 therefore when I saw this one on NetGalley I immediately requested it and was delighted to be approved it went straight to the top of my reading list
I sat in my garden what feels like the first day of spring and read this book in one sitting my simply could not put it down.. The novel introduces us to Jack a 12 year-old Irish boy who is mourning the death of his mother by drowning. He is morning alone but he’s surrounded by an extended family who love him deeply and do their best to help.. 12 is a difficult age for any child, but when you’ve witnessed your mother drown herself your heart must be in turmoil.
Donal really has the knack to drill down precisely into what makes each individual human unique and memorable. He describes his characters so beautifully that they are immediately three-dimensional and jump off the page at you. This detail is lavished on each of the characters no matter that has small a part they play in the story.
The author has a beautiful lyrical almost poetic way of writing. I’m finding the words washing over me and surrounding me with beauty. It’s all I can do not to stop and highlight multiple sentences on the page of my Kindle
This is a novel full of love extolling the beauties of a family relationship tricky at times, but in Jack’s case ultimately supporting a fragile young boy
The Irish setting and the inner Irishness of the characters is clear from the start and throughout this novel but of course there are not multiple similarities to I suspect any Europeans life for us to to understand the characters
I would recommend this novel for those who like primarily character based novels if you like the novels of John Boyne for example I suspect you will love Donal’s writing as much as I do. Between them, they demonstrate the persistence genius of Irish writers.
I read an early copy of the novel on NetGalley UK in return for an honest review book is published in the UK on the 13th of August 2026 by random house UK Transworld publishers
This review will appear on NetGalley UK, Goodreads, StoryGraph, and my book bionicSarahsbooks.wordpress.com
After publication, it will also appear on Amazon UK and Waterstones online
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews