The Queen Of Dirt Island

Donal Ryan Doubleday £14.99

Set in a small, story-filled town in rural Ireland, Ryan’s novel elevates the everyday life of Saoirse Aylward into something extraordinary. Revelling in ‘all the foulness and sweetness’, it follows Saoirse and her wayward, funny and warrior-fierce granny and mother as they contend with nosy neighbours, judgmental family members, gun-running brothers and flaky boyfriends, while celebrating the unexpected arrival of baby Pearl in their close-knit clan. Big-hearted, generous and brimful of emotion, this is a gorgeous, life-enhancing read.