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Ordinary Saints

An unmissable, moving and funny exploration of family, grief and queer identity. Shortlisted for the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize 2025
By Niamh Ni Mhaoileoin
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Brief Description
WINNER OF THE INAUGURAL PFD QUEER FICTION PRIZESHORTLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE DISCOVERIES AWARD An arresting, unmissable debut novel shortlisted for the Women's Prize Discoveries award - an exploration of family, grief, queer identity, and the legacy of the Catholic Church in Ireland. Can you imagine... Read More
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An arresting, unmissable debut novel shortlisted for the Women's Prize Discoveries award - an exploration of family, grief, queer identity, and the legacy of the Catholic Church in Ireland.

An arresting, unmissable debut novel shortlisted for the Women's Prize Discoveries award - an exploration of family, grief, queer identity, and the legacy of the Catholic Church in Ireland.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

WINNER OF THE INAUGURAL PFD QUEER FICTION PRIZE
SHORTLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE DISCOVERIES AWARD

An arresting, unmissable debut novel shortlisted for the Women's Prize Discoveries award - an exploration of family, grief, queer identity, and the legacy of the Catholic Church in Ireland.

Can you imagine it? I'd say to them. Can you imagine me there in the front row in Saint Peter's Square? The lesbian sister of a literal saint.

Brought up in a devout household in Ireland, Jay is now living in London with her girlfriend, determined to live day to day and not think too much about either the future or the past. But when she learns that her beloved older brother, who died in a terrible accident, may be made into a Catholic saint, she realises she must at last confront her family, her childhood and herself . . .

Inspired by the author's own devout upbringing, Ordinary Saints is a brilliant debut novel from a fresh, exciting new voice which asks - who gets to decide how we are remembered - and who we will become?

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781786584243

Publisher: Bonnier Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 15 April 2025

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Manilla Press

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 28.0mm

Width: 153.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 450g

Pages: 368

Collections

Fiction General Fiction Literary Fiction Niamh Ni Mhaoileoin

About the Author

Niamh NíMhaoileoin is an Irish writer living and working in Edinburgh. Her stories, essays and articles have appeared in Gutter, the New Statesman, The Millions, Sexualities and other publications. Her first novel, The Next Life, is an exploration of family, grief, queer identity, and the legacy of the Catholic Church in Ireland.

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  • Ordinary Saints
    Ordinary Saints
    What if you had escaped your devout family in Ireland to live your best queer life - then your brother became a candidate for sainthood? An unmissable, award-winning, moving and funny exploration of family, grief and queer identity. SELECTED AS A RADIO 2 BOOKCLUB PICK SHORTLISTED FOR THE WATERSTONES DEBUT FICTION PRIZE WINNER OF THE INAUGURAL PFD QUEER FICTION PRIZE...
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