LoveReading Says
Jay is a lesbian living in London, distant from her devout Irish Catholic parents, until they start to make progress on their campaign for Jay’s deceased brother Ferdia – a charismatic young man who had died tragically while training to be a priest – to be made into a saint. Jay is drawn back into her family relationships, her confusing upbringing, her beliefs and her grief, while trying to decide whether to oppose a campaign which actively condemns her queer existence.
I completely agree with one of the reviews on the back of this novel, that ‘sometimes I know that I’m going to love a book from the very first line’, and Ordinary Saints begins: ‘The first time I kissed a girl my brother died. I was sixteen and at a party in a big house overlooking Dublin Bay. My brother was in Rome, studying to be a priest.’
This novel stirs the murky depths of sibling rivalry and religious trauma, exploring the complexities of relationships between believers and supposed ‘sinners’ who love and hate each other. I know often publicity will say things like ‘you’ll laugh and cry!’ but with this book I really did do both.
Billy Lindon
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Ordinary Saints Synopsis
*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?
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9781786584236 |
| Publication date: |
24th April 2025 |
| Author: |
Niamh Ni Mhaoileoin |
| Publisher: |
Manilla an imprint of Bonnier Books UK |
| Format: |
Hardback |
| Pagination: |
368 pages |
| Primary Genre |
Literary Fiction
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| Other Genres: |
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| Recommendations: |
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Niamh Ni Mhaoileoin Press Reviews
Praise for Ordinary Saints:
'Stunning. A beautiful story about the awkward, often painful silences around dinner tables. A fresh funny, honest portrayal of familial love. I adored it' Louise Nealon, international bestselling author of Snowflake
'The best debut novel I've read in a long time. Niamh Nì Mhaoileoin is a writer of immense delicacy, perception and heart, drilling deep into questions of faith, family and love. A beautiful novel and a huge talent'
Jessica Moor
'Funny and deeply moving. I adored it'
Chloe Michelle Howarth, author of Sunburn
'Mesmerising and original, Ordinary Saints is quite a novel: an empathetic, heart-felt and nuanced exploration of the Catholic church in modern Ireland, queer identity, family and so much more. I absolutely loved it'
Victoria Mackenzie, award-winning author of For Thy Great Pain Have Mercy on My Little Pain
'An engrossing and absorbing read . . . Uplifting and absolutely gripping' Rachel Dawson, author of Neon Roses
'Nì Mhaoileoin's writing has a real magic to it that hits you right from the first sentence'
Okechukwu Nzelu
'I both learnt - and felt - a lot reading Ordinary Saints. An intriguing, compelling and deeply original debut'
Roxy Dunn, author of As Young As This
'An outstanding debut. Delicately woven through with the threads of modern Irishness. Emotionally intelligent, hilarious, superb'
Soula Emmanuel, author of Wild Geese
'A clever, emotionally complex, and unfailingly generous debut, I found Ordinary Saints both deeply moving and utterly gripping'
Kate Young, author of Experienced
