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SHIBBY MAGEE
☘️ A character-driven Irish tragicomedy threaded with wit, heartbreak, and bittersweet redemption.
Echoing the tones of the TV series Fleabag, Shibby Magee is wry and wickedly irreverent, while reflecting the sharp, dark dynamics of The Banshees of Inisherin. For readers of Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan, Trespasses by Louise Kennedy, and Donal Ryan’s The Queen of Dirt Island, Shibby Magee offers a warmer—but no less incisive—portrait of a woman shaped by childhood abandonment and social prejudice, following her across two defining life stages as she struggles toward dignity, love, and self-possession.
When their mother, Vera Coffey, disappears after announcing she's a Traveller/Mincéir, Shibby and her twin sister, Dorah, are abandoned to a settled family already cracking at the seams. Under the iron rule of their viciously prejudiced grandmother, the two girls grow up on opposite tracks: Dorah, arrogant and bold; Shibby, bruised and quietly resilient.
As Shibby stumbles into adulthood, she's drawn to men who either abuse or dump her. She finds fleeting stability in the fast-paced chaos of a restaurant kitchen—but a question gnaws at her: is her future in the rooted life of the settled or on the open road to God only knows where? With the fierce support of a chosen few—Alice Duffy, housekeeper turned surrogate mother; Moochie de Barra, an affectionate stand-in for an emotionally absent father; and Kitty Dooley, a Traveller whose loyalty never wavers—Shibby begins to uncover hard truths about identity, family, and what she desperately needs to find where she truly belongs.
“Carrie Kabak follows the indelible, indefatigable Shibby Magee during two crucial years in her life, one in girlhood and then another at midlife womanhood, as she struggles against prejudice, cruelty, and abandonment in her search to find her true place in an increasingly confounding world, be it in a bustling restaurant or on the road as an Irish Traveller—an extraordinary, wily community I’d never heard of before and was delighted to encounter. Warm, wise, with dashes of wit, Kabak’s novel is just magnificent.”
—Caroline Leavitt, New York Times bestselling author of Pictures of You, With or Without You, and Days of Wonder
“In this captivating and insightful novel, Carrie Kabak introduces the unforgettable Shibby Magee, who navigates adulthood in search of love and stability while grappling with the enduring shadows of childhood abandonment. Filled with multi-dimensional characters and evocative imagery, this is a heartfelt and poignant story that lingers long after the final page.”
—Holly Kennedy, Edgar Award Nominee and Giller Prize Longlisted author of The Sideways Life of D
Echoing the tones of the TV series Fleabag, Shibby Magee is wry and wickedly irreverent, while reflecting the sharp, dark dynamics of The Banshees of Inisherin. For readers of Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan, Trespasses by Louise Kennedy, and Donal Ryan’s The Queen of Dirt Island, Shibby Magee offers a warmer—but no less incisive—portrait of a woman shaped by childhood abandonment and social prejudice, following her across two defining life stages as she struggles toward dignity, love, and self-possession.
When their mother, Vera Coffey, disappears after announcing she's a Traveller/Mincéir, Shibby and her twin sister, Dorah, are abandoned to a settled family already cracking at the seams. Under the iron rule of their viciously prejudiced grandmother, the two girls grow up on opposite tracks: Dorah, arrogant and bold; Shibby, bruised and quietly resilient.
As Shibby stumbles into adulthood, she's drawn to men who either abuse or dump her. She finds fleeting stability in the fast-paced chaos of a restaurant kitchen—but a question gnaws at her: is her future in the rooted life of the settled or on the open road to God only knows where? With the fierce support of a chosen few—Alice Duffy, housekeeper turned surrogate mother; Moochie de Barra, an affectionate stand-in for an emotionally absent father; and Kitty Dooley, a Traveller whose loyalty never wavers—Shibby begins to uncover hard truths about identity, family, and what she desperately needs to find where she truly belongs.
“Carrie Kabak follows the indelible, indefatigable Shibby Magee during two crucial years in her life, one in girlhood and then another at midlife womanhood, as she struggles against prejudice, cruelty, and abandonment in her search to find her true place in an increasingly confounding world, be it in a bustling restaurant or on the road as an Irish Traveller—an extraordinary, wily community I’d never heard of before and was delighted to encounter. Warm, wise, with dashes of wit, Kabak’s novel is just magnificent.”
—Caroline Leavitt, New York Times bestselling author of Pictures of You, With or Without You, and Days of Wonder
“In this captivating and insightful novel, Carrie Kabak introduces the unforgettable Shibby Magee, who navigates adulthood in search of love and stability while grappling with the enduring shadows of childhood abandonment. Filled with multi-dimensional characters and evocative imagery, this is a heartfelt and poignant story that lingers long after the final page.”
—Holly Kennedy, Edgar Award Nominee and Giller Prize Longlisted author of The Sideways Life of D
326 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2026
6 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Carrie Kabak
11 books21 followers☘️A character-driven Irish tragicomedy threaded with wit, heartbreak, and bittersweet redemption. www.carriekabak.com.
Echoing the tones of the TV series Fleabag, SHIBBY MAGEE is wry and wickedly irreverent while reflecting the sharp, dark dynamics of The Banshees of Inisherin. Full of texture and lyrical rhythm, it will appeal to fans of The Bee Sting by Paul Murray, Good Eggs by Rebecca Hardiman, All We Shall Know by Donal Ryan, The Outside Boy by Jeanine Cummins, The Green Road by Anne Enright, Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín, Minding Frankie by Maeve Binchy, and Foster by Claire Keegan.
"Carrie Kabak follows the indelible, indefatigable Shibby Magee during two crucial years in her life, one in girlhood and then another at midlife womanhood, as she struggles against prejudice, cruelty, and abandonment in her search to find her true place in an increasingly confounding world, be it in a bustling restaurant or on the road as an Irish Traveller—an extraordinary, wily community I’d never heard of before and was delighted to encounter. Warm, wise, with dashes of wit, Kabak’s novel is just magnificent."—Caroline Leavitt, New York Times bestselling author of Pictures of You, With or Without You, and Days of Wonder.
"In this captivating and insightful novel, Carrie Kabak introduces the unforgettable Shibby Magee, who navigates adulthood in search of love and stability while grappling with the enduring shadows of childhood abandonment. Filled with multi-dimensional characters and evocative imagery, this is a heartfelt and poignant story that lingers long after the final page." —Holly Kennedy, Edgar Award Nominee and Giller Prize Longlisted author of The Sideways Life of Denny Voss.
AUTHOR BIO: Published by Penguin Random House, Carrie Kabak's novel, Cover the Butter, was an Independent Booksellers' Pick, won an Audiofile Magazine award, and was nominated for a Quills Award. Her essays appear in For Keeps and He Said What? (Seal Press), Exit Laughing (North Atlantic Books), Faith (Simon and Schuster), and Dumped (She Writes). Carrie's latest novels, Shibby Magee and Every Mole and Freckle, will be released in spring and fall 2026, and Mali Morgan's Summer in spring 2027.
Alongside her writing, Carrie works as a book cover artist for major publishers after working for many years as a production designer at Hallmark Cards.
Echoing the tones of the TV series Fleabag, SHIBBY MAGEE is wry and wickedly irreverent while reflecting the sharp, dark dynamics of The Banshees of Inisherin. Full of texture and lyrical rhythm, it will appeal to fans of The Bee Sting by Paul Murray, Good Eggs by Rebecca Hardiman, All We Shall Know by Donal Ryan, The Outside Boy by Jeanine Cummins, The Green Road by Anne Enright, Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín, Minding Frankie by Maeve Binchy, and Foster by Claire Keegan.
"Carrie Kabak follows the indelible, indefatigable Shibby Magee during two crucial years in her life, one in girlhood and then another at midlife womanhood, as she struggles against prejudice, cruelty, and abandonment in her search to find her true place in an increasingly confounding world, be it in a bustling restaurant or on the road as an Irish Traveller—an extraordinary, wily community I’d never heard of before and was delighted to encounter. Warm, wise, with dashes of wit, Kabak’s novel is just magnificent."—Caroline Leavitt, New York Times bestselling author of Pictures of You, With or Without You, and Days of Wonder.
"In this captivating and insightful novel, Carrie Kabak introduces the unforgettable Shibby Magee, who navigates adulthood in search of love and stability while grappling with the enduring shadows of childhood abandonment. Filled with multi-dimensional characters and evocative imagery, this is a heartfelt and poignant story that lingers long after the final page." —Holly Kennedy, Edgar Award Nominee and Giller Prize Longlisted author of The Sideways Life of Denny Voss.
AUTHOR BIO: Published by Penguin Random House, Carrie Kabak's novel, Cover the Butter, was an Independent Booksellers' Pick, won an Audiofile Magazine award, and was nominated for a Quills Award. Her essays appear in For Keeps and He Said What? (Seal Press), Exit Laughing (North Atlantic Books), Faith (Simon and Schuster), and Dumped (She Writes). Carrie's latest novels, Shibby Magee and Every Mole and Freckle, will be released in spring and fall 2026, and Mali Morgan's Summer in spring 2027.
Alongside her writing, Carrie works as a book cover artist for major publishers after working for many years as a production designer at Hallmark Cards.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 13, 2026
ARC Kindle Format provided by e-mail by Carrie Kabak. Publisher: Penguin Random House.
Shibby and her twin sister, Dorah, are the illegitimate twins of Irish traveller, Vera Coffey, who suddenly deserts her unwished for familial responsibilities for her preferred and former dissolute, care-free life as a roamer. The young girls are raised by their 'assumed' and indifferent father, Benny Magee, the aloof, caustic Nanna Magee and the loving, but simple Alice, employee of the household business Gilligan's Bakery. Shibby and Dorah's schoolday escapades and early strict Catholic upbringing are recounted in a tale packed full of gossip, shock, wit and blarney. A strong bond of friendship with peer, Kitty Dooley and her local gypsy community, is also formed.
In a book of two halves, Kabak introduces primarily the adult 45 year old Shibby, who longs for romantic love, acceptance, stability and a child of her own. The path to happiness is unsurprisingly a steep and rocky road leading to that of a forlorn and ill-treated traveller akin to her mother and back again to mundane normality. Who can Shibby trust among her circle of male acquaintances? Can her dreams realistically come true? It is certainly not a forgone conclusion.
For anyone in need of a fun, sympathetically drawn and, at times, tragic read, Shibby Magee is a must. The acerbic and dogmatic Nanna Magee in her attempts to maintain a cloak of respectability is an absolute treat and quite unforgettable. Even the incidental characters are delightful. This is a gently paced story with a sound plot, many unexpected twists and turns and dexterously incorporated mystery and intrigue. I'm so lucky to have discovered this author. She is descriptive, bringing Ireland, its quaint language and unique, warm culture to life. I've already visited Dublin, but now hanker for a trip to Galway.
Shibby and her twin sister, Dorah, are the illegitimate twins of Irish traveller, Vera Coffey, who suddenly deserts her unwished for familial responsibilities for her preferred and former dissolute, care-free life as a roamer. The young girls are raised by their 'assumed' and indifferent father, Benny Magee, the aloof, caustic Nanna Magee and the loving, but simple Alice, employee of the household business Gilligan's Bakery. Shibby and Dorah's schoolday escapades and early strict Catholic upbringing are recounted in a tale packed full of gossip, shock, wit and blarney. A strong bond of friendship with peer, Kitty Dooley and her local gypsy community, is also formed.
In a book of two halves, Kabak introduces primarily the adult 45 year old Shibby, who longs for romantic love, acceptance, stability and a child of her own. The path to happiness is unsurprisingly a steep and rocky road leading to that of a forlorn and ill-treated traveller akin to her mother and back again to mundane normality. Who can Shibby trust among her circle of male acquaintances? Can her dreams realistically come true? It is certainly not a forgone conclusion.
For anyone in need of a fun, sympathetically drawn and, at times, tragic read, Shibby Magee is a must. The acerbic and dogmatic Nanna Magee in her attempts to maintain a cloak of respectability is an absolute treat and quite unforgettable. Even the incidental characters are delightful. This is a gently paced story with a sound plot, many unexpected twists and turns and dexterously incorporated mystery and intrigue. I'm so lucky to have discovered this author. She is descriptive, bringing Ireland, its quaint language and unique, warm culture to life. I've already visited Dublin, but now hanker for a trip to Galway.
February 2, 2026
Carrie's been refining this book for years, and I can tell ye this, mo chara*: the tale has aged like a fine Kerrygold cheddar. Or whiskey, if you prefer. There is so much of Irish and Traveller culture in this book—language, food, song references,** religion, and more—that it is nothing short of an immersive experience.
When we first meet Shibby, she’s caught in the in-between. “Sure, my story would read like some tragicomedy.” And my oh my it is.
In Part One, her mother announces she’s a Traveller and makes quite the exit. That scene imprints on Shibby enough to replay in her head over and over. But that doesn’t seem to bother Dorah, her more pragmatic, sharp-tongued twin sister (“I couldn’t care a monkey’s arse about mammy”), who Shibby wishes she could be more like. But no, Shibby’s the good Catholic girl, the one who censors herself, hoping it’ll earn the love of mammy, Benny, and even Nanna. What does Shibby want and who will she be now that mammy’s clearly shown she doesn’t care a fig about her? Oh, one more thread to take note of: a minor character dies, which is related to one of the darker themes that Kabak will continue to explore in Part Two. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
As for Part Two, hang on to your hat, because the ride is about to get bumpy…And by bumpy, I mean straight off a cliff. Shibby has learned some things, but she makes mistakes in new ways that really shake things up. She’s willing to overlook red flags just to welcome love into her life until…Arghhh Shibby, nooooo! But we can’t be hard on her. Given her childhood, you come to see why she does what she does. Anyway, a few startling experiences and revelations drive Shibby into her Dorah phase—not surprising all things considered.
You race to the end of the book, maybe not even suspecting anything more, until something *else* so shocking happens that you’ll drop your last bite of barmbrack (dust it off, it’ll be fine)***. Did [redacted] kill [redacted]?? Wouldn’t you like to know?
So…does Shibby finally get what she wants? Arrah, you eejit, you'll have to find out for yourself. All I’ll say is that you’re left with a mood tasting bittersweet and cautiously hopeful.
* ‘my friend’
** A couple songs referenced: “Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye” and “March of the King of Laois.”
*** Carrie has a recipe on her website! Check it out: https://carriekabak.wixsite.com/home/...
And my sincere apologies if I've completely butchered any of the irishisms.
When we first meet Shibby, she’s caught in the in-between. “Sure, my story would read like some tragicomedy.” And my oh my it is.
In Part One, her mother announces she’s a Traveller and makes quite the exit. That scene imprints on Shibby enough to replay in her head over and over. But that doesn’t seem to bother Dorah, her more pragmatic, sharp-tongued twin sister (“I couldn’t care a monkey’s arse about mammy”), who Shibby wishes she could be more like. But no, Shibby’s the good Catholic girl, the one who censors herself, hoping it’ll earn the love of mammy, Benny, and even Nanna. What does Shibby want and who will she be now that mammy’s clearly shown she doesn’t care a fig about her? Oh, one more thread to take note of: a minor character dies, which is related to one of the darker themes that Kabak will continue to explore in Part Two. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
As for Part Two, hang on to your hat, because the ride is about to get bumpy…And by bumpy, I mean straight off a cliff. Shibby has learned some things, but she makes mistakes in new ways that really shake things up. She’s willing to overlook red flags just to welcome love into her life until…Arghhh Shibby, nooooo! But we can’t be hard on her. Given her childhood, you come to see why she does what she does. Anyway, a few startling experiences and revelations drive Shibby into her Dorah phase—not surprising all things considered.
You race to the end of the book, maybe not even suspecting anything more, until something *else* so shocking happens that you’ll drop your last bite of barmbrack (dust it off, it’ll be fine)***. Did [redacted] kill [redacted]?? Wouldn’t you like to know?
So…does Shibby finally get what she wants? Arrah, you eejit, you'll have to find out for yourself. All I’ll say is that you’re left with a mood tasting bittersweet and cautiously hopeful.
* ‘my friend’
** A couple songs referenced: “Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye” and “March of the King of Laois.”
*** Carrie has a recipe on her website! Check it out: https://carriekabak.wixsite.com/home/...
And my sincere apologies if I've completely butchered any of the irishisms.
February 10, 2026
Shibby Magee is an Irish family drama told over two parts. Shibby's world as she knows it changes drastically when her mother, a Traveller, leaves the family for the last time. Shibby and Dorah are 11-year-old twins left with their pub-loving dad, an ornery grandmother, and the loyal housekeeper Alice. Shibby is naive and Dorah is dubious. In part two we find Shibby still looking for answers and a sense of belonging.
I enjoyed learning about the Traveller culture and found myself pausing to look up Irish phrases. The writing is easy to return to. Funny, and sincere, Shibee Magee is a character study that won't soon be forgotten. Thank you Corbyn, and Carrie Kabak for this ARC.
I enjoyed learning about the Traveller culture and found myself pausing to look up Irish phrases. The writing is easy to return to. Funny, and sincere, Shibee Magee is a character study that won't soon be forgotten. Thank you Corbyn, and Carrie Kabak for this ARC.
January 26, 2026
Loved it!
January 31, 2026
"Shibby Magee" is a book and a person I can't get out of my head right now. This is a book that is more character-driven than plot-driven. And when I say character, I mean it! There are many, many characters... main and background characters. One almost needs a flow chart to keep track. This is a very Irish book. Many items, places, words, foods were totally foreign to me. A glossary at the beginning (or end) might have helped. But that didn't deter the enjoyment. I simply went with the flow, and enjoyed every word (known or otherwise).
The book is told in two parts. Part One is laugh-out-loud hilarious, and I fell in love with the book right from the start. Shibby (real name Isabelle) and her twin sister Dorah (real name Isadorah) are 11 years old at the start of the book. Dorah is a smartass, as sarcastic and foul mouthed as they come. Shibby is far more reserved and introspective. Their mother suddenly abandons them, leaving them in the care of an unloving grandmother and their loopy father. The mother becomes a "Traveller", which must be some sort of Irish vagabond. Shibby is crushed and spends the rest of the book trying to find her mother, as well as trying to find love.
There is a definite and very abrupt change in Part Two. The time-jump, and tonal shift was jarring at first. Shibby and Dorah are now forty-five years old. And the writing is no longer hilarious. As a matter of fact, at first I thought it may have been written by a different author. And then it struck me. Part One is written, in the first person, as a young girl heading into her teens. With reckless, careless thoughts and actions. Part Two, of course still told in the first person, is written as Shibby is now in middle age, still yearning for love, still hoping to find her mother, and trying to figure out her life.
Shibby becomes a frustrating character to me because, even as smart as she is, she makes some foolish decisions. Yes, Dorah is still a smartass and sarcastic character, but pathos begins to creep into the storyline. There may have been two murders in the book. Maybe. Maybe I was reading too much into those incidents.
Did the book have a happy ending? Maybe. :-)
Merged review:
“Shibby Magee” is a book and a person I can’t get out of my head right now. This is a book that is more character-driven than plot-driven. And when I say character I mean it! There are many, many characters… main and background characters. One almost needs a flow chart to keep track. This is a very Irish book. Many items, places, words, foods were totally foreign to me. A glossary at the beginning (or end) might have helped. But that didn’t deter the enjoyment. I simply went with the flow, and enjoyed every word (known or otherwise).
The book is told in two parts. Part One is laugh-out-loud hilarious, and I fell in love with the book right from the start. Shibby (real name Isabelle) and her twin sister Dorah (real name Isadorah) are 11 years old at the start of the book. Dorah is a smartass, as sarcastic and foul mouthed as they come. Shibby is far more reserved and introspective. Their mother suddenly abandons them, leaving them in the care of an unloving grandmother and their loopy father. The mother becomes a “Traveler”, which must be some sort of Irish vagabond. Shibby is crushed and spends the rest of the book trying to find her mother, as well as trying to find love.
There is a definite and very abrupt change in Part Two. The time-jump, and tonal shift was jarring at first. Shibby and Dorah are now forty-five years old. And the writing is no longer hilarious. As a matter of fact, at first I thought it may have been written by a different author. And then it struck me. Part One is written, in the first person, as a young girl heading into her teens. With careless, reckless thoughts and actions. Part Two, of course still told in the first person, is written as Shibby is now in middle age, still yearning for love, still hoping to find her mother, and trying to figure out her life.
Shibby becomes a frustrating character to me because, even as smart as she is, she makes some foolish decisions. Yes, Dorah is still a smartass and sarcastic character, but pathos begins to creep into the storyline. There may have been two murders in the book. Maybe. Maybe I was reading too much into those incidents.
Did the book have a happy ending? Maybe. 😉
The book is told in two parts. Part One is laugh-out-loud hilarious, and I fell in love with the book right from the start. Shibby (real name Isabelle) and her twin sister Dorah (real name Isadorah) are 11 years old at the start of the book. Dorah is a smartass, as sarcastic and foul mouthed as they come. Shibby is far more reserved and introspective. Their mother suddenly abandons them, leaving them in the care of an unloving grandmother and their loopy father. The mother becomes a "Traveller", which must be some sort of Irish vagabond. Shibby is crushed and spends the rest of the book trying to find her mother, as well as trying to find love.
There is a definite and very abrupt change in Part Two. The time-jump, and tonal shift was jarring at first. Shibby and Dorah are now forty-five years old. And the writing is no longer hilarious. As a matter of fact, at first I thought it may have been written by a different author. And then it struck me. Part One is written, in the first person, as a young girl heading into her teens. With reckless, careless thoughts and actions. Part Two, of course still told in the first person, is written as Shibby is now in middle age, still yearning for love, still hoping to find her mother, and trying to figure out her life.
Shibby becomes a frustrating character to me because, even as smart as she is, she makes some foolish decisions. Yes, Dorah is still a smartass and sarcastic character, but pathos begins to creep into the storyline. There may have been two murders in the book. Maybe. Maybe I was reading too much into those incidents.
Did the book have a happy ending? Maybe. :-)
Merged review:
“Shibby Magee” is a book and a person I can’t get out of my head right now. This is a book that is more character-driven than plot-driven. And when I say character I mean it! There are many, many characters… main and background characters. One almost needs a flow chart to keep track. This is a very Irish book. Many items, places, words, foods were totally foreign to me. A glossary at the beginning (or end) might have helped. But that didn’t deter the enjoyment. I simply went with the flow, and enjoyed every word (known or otherwise).
The book is told in two parts. Part One is laugh-out-loud hilarious, and I fell in love with the book right from the start. Shibby (real name Isabelle) and her twin sister Dorah (real name Isadorah) are 11 years old at the start of the book. Dorah is a smartass, as sarcastic and foul mouthed as they come. Shibby is far more reserved and introspective. Their mother suddenly abandons them, leaving them in the care of an unloving grandmother and their loopy father. The mother becomes a “Traveler”, which must be some sort of Irish vagabond. Shibby is crushed and spends the rest of the book trying to find her mother, as well as trying to find love.
There is a definite and very abrupt change in Part Two. The time-jump, and tonal shift was jarring at first. Shibby and Dorah are now forty-five years old. And the writing is no longer hilarious. As a matter of fact, at first I thought it may have been written by a different author. And then it struck me. Part One is written, in the first person, as a young girl heading into her teens. With careless, reckless thoughts and actions. Part Two, of course still told in the first person, is written as Shibby is now in middle age, still yearning for love, still hoping to find her mother, and trying to figure out her life.
Shibby becomes a frustrating character to me because, even as smart as she is, she makes some foolish decisions. Yes, Dorah is still a smartass and sarcastic character, but pathos begins to creep into the storyline. There may have been two murders in the book. Maybe. Maybe I was reading too much into those incidents.
Did the book have a happy ending? Maybe. 😉
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is the kind of book you'll want to share with your best friend. It's that good. It's about Shibby Magee and her twin sister Dorah and how they get on with their lives and endure after their mother abandons them when they are still children. It's set during two different years of Shibby's life in Ireland. One as that lost girl, the other as an adult navigating her way amongst the cafes and restaurants of Ireland where Shibby works as a professional chef. Shibby struggles emotionally because of her mother's zero-explanation disappearance. Then she gets into a relationship with her boss, Chef Rogan Rafferty. He is attentive, affectionate, and emotionally present—qualities that both attract and unsettle her. But this isn’t a romance, and the story never pretends that it is.
SPOILER-------------------
When Shibby becomes pregnant with Rafferty's child, the story shifts into something deeper. Rather than offering rescue or reassurance, the pregnancy forces Shibby into facing her fears of dependence and abandonment. By the end, the novel’s resolution is powerful and quietly radical: Shibby chooses herself. She decides to have the baby on her own terms, and finally claims her own worth. She puts her mother and the awfulness of her cold abandonment behind her. I thought Shibby Magee was a tender, funny, and deeply human novel written by a master storyteller at the top of her game.
Note: I was given the manuscript to review by the publisher.
SPOILER-------------------
When Shibby becomes pregnant with Rafferty's child, the story shifts into something deeper. Rather than offering rescue or reassurance, the pregnancy forces Shibby into facing her fears of dependence and abandonment. By the end, the novel’s resolution is powerful and quietly radical: Shibby chooses herself. She decides to have the baby on her own terms, and finally claims her own worth. She puts her mother and the awfulness of her cold abandonment behind her. I thought Shibby Magee was a tender, funny, and deeply human novel written by a master storyteller at the top of her game.
Note: I was given the manuscript to review by the publisher.
February 15, 2026
Shibby Magee
By Carrie Kabak
Thank you Carrie for gifting me a copy of this book
I hadn’t heard of Carrie prior to receiving this book and I had no idea what this book was about so I was going in blind. I read this book in one day, it was intriguing, insightful and moving.
The book spans over thirty five years- part one is where we meet 11 year old twin sisters Dorah and Shibby. Set in Co Roscommon, the girls mother Vera Coffey, abandons the girls and leaves them with their father as she rejoins her family who are members of the Travelling community.
Part 2 of the book picks up in Co Galway when the girls are 45 year old women and you can evidently see the impact that their upbringing has carried through to their adult life.
Dorah, the tougher of the two seems to have found her path, Shibby is struggling - she tries both settled life and life on the road as a Traveller until she ultimately finds her place in society.
This is an emotional read, Carrie does a wonderful job of describing and exploring the life of a Traveller in rural Ireland.
You cannot help but have sympathy for Shibby as she navigates her way through life, discovering information about her mother’s past and I found myself wishing and hoping that Shibby will find her happy ever after.
If you liked Elinor Oliphant is completely fine, you will like this book too.
Carrie is a new author to me but I will be go back and read more of her work, I really enjoyed this book.
By Carrie Kabak
Thank you Carrie for gifting me a copy of this book
I hadn’t heard of Carrie prior to receiving this book and I had no idea what this book was about so I was going in blind. I read this book in one day, it was intriguing, insightful and moving.
The book spans over thirty five years- part one is where we meet 11 year old twin sisters Dorah and Shibby. Set in Co Roscommon, the girls mother Vera Coffey, abandons the girls and leaves them with their father as she rejoins her family who are members of the Travelling community.
Part 2 of the book picks up in Co Galway when the girls are 45 year old women and you can evidently see the impact that their upbringing has carried through to their adult life.
Dorah, the tougher of the two seems to have found her path, Shibby is struggling - she tries both settled life and life on the road as a Traveller until she ultimately finds her place in society.
This is an emotional read, Carrie does a wonderful job of describing and exploring the life of a Traveller in rural Ireland.
You cannot help but have sympathy for Shibby as she navigates her way through life, discovering information about her mother’s past and I found myself wishing and hoping that Shibby will find her happy ever after.
If you liked Elinor Oliphant is completely fine, you will like this book too.
Carrie is a new author to me but I will be go back and read more of her work, I really enjoyed this book.
January 31, 2026
Shibby longs for her mother's love and doesn't understand how she could abandon her twin daughters. This is a story of loss, love, and families. Nanna Magee is all about appearances and holding her head high among the Parish Ladies even if her daughter-in-law is a Traveller. The reader is transported to another time and place, and it's easy to get lost in Shibby's story. I have been to Ireland and Kabak has captured the uniqueness of the Emerald Isle in her characters and dialog. Fans of Claire Keegan will especially enjoy this book! Reviewed at https://pennyformythoughts-nona.blogs...
Merged review:
Billed as a tragicomedy, I loved this book! Shibby longs for her mother's love and doesn't understand how she could abandon her twin daughters. This is a story of loss, love, and families. Nanna Magee is all about appearances and holding her head high among the Parish Ladies even if her daughter-in-law is a Traveller. The reader is transported to another time and place, and it's easy to get lost in Shibby's story. I have been to Ireland and Kabak has captured the uniqueness of the Emerald Isle in her characters and dialog. Fans of Claire Keegan will especially enjoy this book! Reviewed at https://pennyformythoughts-nona.blogs...
Merged review:
Billed as a tragicomedy, I loved this book! Shibby longs for her mother's love and doesn't understand how she could abandon her twin daughters. This is a story of loss, love, and families. Nanna Magee is all about appearances and holding her head high among the Parish Ladies even if her daughter-in-law is a Traveller. The reader is transported to another time and place, and it's easy to get lost in Shibby's story. I have been to Ireland and Kabak has captured the uniqueness of the Emerald Isle in her characters and dialog. Fans of Claire Keegan will especially enjoy this book! Reviewed at https://pennyformythoughts-nona.blogs...
February 2, 2026
I was excited to receive this ARC, as I enjoy cozy stories centered on warm, witty characters - and this novel delivered. I appreciated how the author begins the story with Shibby as a young girl and then thoughtfully transitions to her adulthood, allowing readers to clearly understand the experiences that shape her struggles and sense of self. As someone previously unfamiliar with the Irish Travellers (Mincéir), I found the portrayal of their way of life informative and well integrated into the narrative.
Watching Shibby grow into a stronger, more confident version of herself was especially rewarding, and I felt invested in her journey throughout the story. My only minor critique is that a glossary of Irish terms would have been helpful, as I frequently paused to research unfamiliar words. That said, this did not detract from my overall engagement with the novel.
I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy richly drawn, multidimensional characters and evocative storytelling, particularly those drawn to themes of identity, family, and belonging. Thank you to the author for the ARC - I look forward to future releases.
Watching Shibby grow into a stronger, more confident version of herself was especially rewarding, and I felt invested in her journey throughout the story. My only minor critique is that a glossary of Irish terms would have been helpful, as I frequently paused to research unfamiliar words. That said, this did not detract from my overall engagement with the novel.
I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy richly drawn, multidimensional characters and evocative storytelling, particularly those drawn to themes of identity, family, and belonging. Thank you to the author for the ARC - I look forward to future releases.
February 7, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Engaging, heartfelt, and full of personality
I received an ARC of Shibby Magee in exchange for an honest review, and I’m glad I had the chance to read it.
This story immediately stood out because of its voice. Shibby is a memorable, well-written character, and the author does a great job bringing their world to life with strong emotion and personality. The writing flows smoothly, and I found myself quickly invested in the journey, especially the character dynamics and inner struggles woven throughout the plot.
What I appreciated most was how authentic the characters felt. Their reactions and growth felt earned, and there were several moments that stuck with me after I finished reading. The pacing was mostly solid, though a few sections felt slightly slower than others, which is the main reason this lands at four stars instead of five.
Overall, Shibby Magee is an enjoyable and thoughtful read that fans of character-driven stories will likely appreciate. I’d happily recommend it and look forward to seeing what the author does next.
I received an ARC of Shibby Magee in exchange for an honest review, and I’m glad I had the chance to read it.
This story immediately stood out because of its voice. Shibby is a memorable, well-written character, and the author does a great job bringing their world to life with strong emotion and personality. The writing flows smoothly, and I found myself quickly invested in the journey, especially the character dynamics and inner struggles woven throughout the plot.
What I appreciated most was how authentic the characters felt. Their reactions and growth felt earned, and there were several moments that stuck with me after I finished reading. The pacing was mostly solid, though a few sections felt slightly slower than others, which is the main reason this lands at four stars instead of five.
Overall, Shibby Magee is an enjoyable and thoughtful read that fans of character-driven stories will likely appreciate. I’d happily recommend it and look forward to seeing what the author does next.
February 9, 2026
Carrie Kabak’s Shibby Magee is a masterfully crafted Irish tragicomedy, blending wit, heartbreak, and moments of bittersweet redemption. Following the resilient Shibby Magee across two pivotal stages of her life, the novel captures her struggle for identity, love, and belonging against the backdrop of familial prejudice and societal constraints.
Kabak’s narrative is deeply character-driven. Shibby’s journey—from childhood abandonment to the challenges of adulthood—is rendered with nuance and empathy, revealing both vulnerability and fierce determination. The supporting cast, including Alice Duffy, Moochie de Barra, and Kitty Dooley, adds depth and warmth, highlighting the power of chosen family and loyalty in the face of hardship.
What stands out most is Kabak’s ability to weave dark humor and emotional gravity into a story that feels both intimate and expansive. Evocative and sharply observed, Shibby Magee offers readers a heartfelt, poignant, and at times wickedly funny exploration of identity, survival, and the pursuit of a life authentically lived.
Kabak’s narrative is deeply character-driven. Shibby’s journey—from childhood abandonment to the challenges of adulthood—is rendered with nuance and empathy, revealing both vulnerability and fierce determination. The supporting cast, including Alice Duffy, Moochie de Barra, and Kitty Dooley, adds depth and warmth, highlighting the power of chosen family and loyalty in the face of hardship.
What stands out most is Kabak’s ability to weave dark humor and emotional gravity into a story that feels both intimate and expansive. Evocative and sharply observed, Shibby Magee offers readers a heartfelt, poignant, and at times wickedly funny exploration of identity, survival, and the pursuit of a life authentically lived.
February 13, 2026
I loved Shibby Magee. From the very first pages, Carrie Kabak pulls you into a world that feels so vivid you can almost smell the bread baking and hear the rain lashing against the windows. She has a true gift for descriptive prose—every scene is sensory, textured and alive. Just as impressive is the way she captures the prosody of Irish speech; the dialogue sings with rhythm, wit, and authenticity without ever feeling forced. Most of all, I stayed fully invested in Shibby’s journey from beginning to end—rooting for her, worrying for her, and wanting to know what would happen next. It’s funny, tender and completely immersive. Truly delightful—and such a beautiful achievement.
February 8, 2026
Shibby McGee opened my eyes to the rich and often unexplored culture of the Irish Travelers. Shibby spends much of her life searching for where she belongs, experiencing love rooted in obligation rather than choice—until mid-life, when she finally lets go and true love finds her.
Once I adjusted to the Irish language woven throughout the story, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. The characters are well developed and relatable, and the vivid scenery makes the setting come alive. This is a transporting read that offers a welcome escape from everyday life.
Once I adjusted to the Irish language woven throughout the story, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. The characters are well developed and relatable, and the vivid scenery makes the setting come alive. This is a transporting read that offers a welcome escape from everyday life.
February 4, 2026
This book had me all in my feelings. It is told in two parts and the first part had me laughing so hard because Shibby's mother comes home from being away for a while and decide she is going to be a traveller. Shibby begs her mother not to do that but stay with her and her sister but the mother says she needs to be free and do her Traveller lifestyle. So Shibby is left to live with her grandmother and father who is really there.
Then part two skips some years and Shibby is an adult and she is trying to navigate through life but she is seriously having some issues where her sister Dorah is doing good Shibby is doing bad. She is in one bad relationship after another and she is still trying to find her mother. She is just coasting along in life not sure which way to go. Then something happens to Shibby and she will have to make some hard decisions and she is not sure what she is going to decide but she knows that the decision will be life altering.
Then part two skips some years and Shibby is an adult and she is trying to navigate through life but she is seriously having some issues where her sister Dorah is doing good Shibby is doing bad. She is in one bad relationship after another and she is still trying to find her mother. She is just coasting along in life not sure which way to go. Then something happens to Shibby and she will have to make some hard decisions and she is not sure what she is going to decide but she knows that the decision will be life altering.
February 8, 2026
Shibby McGee is a quiet, emotional story about family, loss, and finding your footing in life. It follows Shibby from childhood into adulthood, showing how the past sticks with us in unexpected ways. Thoughtful, touching, and very human. The characters felt authentic, and I genuinely enjoyed this book.
February 7, 2026
honestly great! captivating storyline, complex characters and relationships, fascinating settings.
as someone not familiar with irish culture, i did have to stop a few times to look up references or terms - super fun to learn, but it did pull me out at times
as someone not familiar with irish culture, i did have to stop a few times to look up references or terms - super fun to learn, but it did pull me out at times
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