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2025 Longlist

Wild Houses

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ABOUT
THE BOOK

As Ballina prepares for its biggest weekend of the year, the simmering feud between small-time dealer, Cillian English, and County Mayo’s fraternal enforcers, Gabe and Sketch Ferdia, spills over into violence and an ugly ultimatum. When the reclusive Dev answers his door on Friday night he finds Doll – Cillian’s teenage brother – in the clutches of Gabe and Sketch. Jostled by his nefarious cousins and goaded by his dead mother’s dog, Dev is drawn headlong into the Ferdias’ revenge fantasy. Meanwhile, hungover and plagued by ghosts of her own, Nicky sets out on a feverish mission to save her boyfriend Doll, even as she questions her future in Ballina.

ABOUT
THE AUTHOR Colin
Barrett

Colin Barrett grew up in County Mayo, Ireland. His stories have been published in the Stinging Fly, Granta, Harper’s and the New Yorker. His first book, the short story collection Young Skins, won the Guardian First Book Award, the Frank O’Connor International Short Story Award and the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature. His second collection, Homesickness, made the New York Times 100 Notable Books of the Year and was a Book of the Year in Oprah Daily and the Irish Times.

Colin Barrett grew up in County Mayo, Ireland. His stories have been published in the Stinging Fly, Granta, Harper’s and the New Yorker. His first book, the short story collection Young Skins, won the Guardian First Book Award, the Frank O’Connor International Short Story Award and the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature. His second collection, Homesickness, made the New York Times 100 Notable Books of the Year and was a Book of the Year in Oprah Daily and the Irish Times.

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NOMINATING LIBRARY COMMENTS

A hugely impressive first novel from the acclaimed short story writer. The discipline of the short story writer is evident in every page and every elegantly crafted sentence. A beautifully written and lived in story with characters that resonate throughout, this much enjoyed novel is a triumph.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Date published
25/01/2024
Country
Ireland
Original Language
English
Author
Publisher
Jonathan Cape
Borrow this book from Libraries Ireland

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