Overview

For fans of Sally Rooney and Megan Nolan comes a remarkable new Irish debut about growing up and moving backwards What do you do when you've ruined your own life? You go home to your mother, if you're lucky enough still to have one. Saoirse Maher wouldn't recommend it.  Leaving home wasn't supposed to be temporary. But after her five-year relationship goes south, Saoirse realises she's out of options. And so she finds herself trudging back to her mother Máire's house, hidden up a side road on the outskirts of Irish civilisation. But just as Saoirse arrives reluctantly back home, everyone else seems to be moving on. Fortunately, she's got parties, drugs, and an entirely-healthy-not-problematic-at-all-thanks relationship with Charlie to distract her. Don't look too closely and it's all fine. Saoirse is fine.  Except somehow, her old coping mechanisms aren't cutting it this time around. Saoirse might finally have to confront the fear she's been running from for so long: how can you make peace with the worst parts of yourself when you're afraid that the worst of yourself is all that you are?

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9781836431015

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Reviews

'Unsparing and affectionate, this crackling debut tears through the landscape of the Irish midlands with rawness, candour and humour that will make Caragh Maxwell’s voice immediately known.' Anne Enright, author of The Wren, The Wren 'Exquisite. The narrative beats with the thrum of the bass then devastates in tender, heartbreaking moments. Utterly compelling, authentic and raw, this is a stunning debut and Caragh Maxwell’s voice is one we should be hearing.' Una Mannion, author of A Crooked Tree 'A very real and penetrating account of modern Ireland... Deeply affecting and startlingly real.’ Elaine Feeney, author of As You Were 'Sugartown is hugely enjoyable. A book full of memorable scenes, with a remarkable ending that eschews the lure of neat resolution in favour of messy, life-like truth. A triumph.' Carlo Gébler 'Maxwell is the most naturally gifted young writer of her generation and Sugartown is a stunning debut.' Eoin McNamee, author of The Bureau 'Such a strong book; I’m keen to see what comes next from this Irish author... Sugartown is a book about outgrowing where you thought you belonged.' Prima 'This is such an absorbing read; shocking and brutal at times, but incredibly tender at others. Fans of Megan Nolan or Niamh Mulvey will love it.' Niamh Hargan 'There is a kind of sparkling clarity to Maxwell's voice that arrives completely formed in this debut novel. Raw, precise, unsettling.' Molly Hennigan, author of The Celestial Realm 'Raw and compelling... Maxwell’s intricate, introspective prose opens a window on the not-so-pretty parts of womanhood. Powerful and absorbing.' Hot Press (Dublin)

'Unsparing and affectionate, this crackling debut tears through the landscape of the Irish midlands with rawness, candour and humour that will make Caragh Maxwell’s voice immediately known.' Anne Enright, author of The Wren, The Wren 'Exquisite. The narrative beats with the thrum of the bass then devastates in tender, heartbreaking moments. Utterly compelling, authentic and raw, this is a stunning debut and Caragh Maxwell’s voice is one we should be hearing.' Una Mannion, author of A Crooked Tree 'A very real and penetrating account of modern Ireland... Deeply affecting and startlingly real.’ Elaine Feeney, author of As You Were 'Sugartown is hugely enjoyable. A book full of memorable scenes, with a remarkable ending that eschews the lure of neat resolution in favour of messy, life-like truth. A triumph.' Carlo Gébler 'Maxwell is the most naturally gifted young writer of her generation and Sugartown is a stunning debut.' Eoin McNamee, author of The Bureau 'This is such an absorbing read; shocking and brutal at times, but incredibly tender at others. Fans of Megan Nolan or Niamh Mulvey will love it.' Niamh Hargan

'Unsparing and affectionate, this crackling debut tears through the landscape of the Irish midlands with rawness, candour and humour that will make Caragh Maxwell’s voice immediately known.' Anne Enright, author of The Wren, The Wren 'Exquisite. The narrative beats with the thrum of the bass then devastates in tender, heartbreaking moments. Utterly compelling, authentic and raw, this is a stunning debut and Caragh Maxwell’s voice is one we should be hearing.' Una Mannion, author of A Crooked Tree 'A very real and penetrating account of modern Ireland... Deeply affecting and startlingly real.’ Elaine Feeney, author of As You Were 'Sugartown is hugely enjoyable. A book full of memorable scenes, with a remarkable ending that eschews the lure of neat resolution in favour of messy, life-like truth. A triumph.' Carlo Gébler 'Maxwell is the most naturally gifted young writer of her generation and Sugartown is a stunning debut.' Eoin McNamee, author of The Bureau

Author Information

Caragh Maxwell is a writer living in Sligo town. She graduated from the Trinity College MPhil in Creative Writing in 2023, and her essays, poems and stories have been published in The Irish Times, The Cormorant and other publications. Her writing focuses on the self, memory, and womanhood. Sugartown is her debut novel.

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