An honest, heartfelt exploration of love, loss, and the bravery to face your demons.
‘A beautiful and important novel, an incisive, insightful study of childhood, motherhood, obligation, guilt, and the impossibility of true freedom from the circular pain of existence, but all lit by a blaze of love and hope’ DONAL RYAN
‘A gripping and skilful debut from a hugely talented storyteller’ JOSEPH O’CONNOR
‘Uplifting and powerful – a stunning debut from a gifted new voice’ FERDIA MAC ANNA
‘An evocative story from a fresh new voice about life, love, hard-won wisdom and learning to forgive’ MARTINA DEVLIN
Ailish McCarthy is not doing well. Outwardly successful – career, beautiful home, wealthy husband, two daughters reared and on the cusp of their own lives– inwardly she is crumbling.
Her relationship with her mother was complicated and difficult, the grief following her death unnaturally prolonged. As much as she wants to move forward, Ailish is caught in a spiral with her ghosts.
In order to escape them, she must resolve her past. Revisit it. Construct again, from memory, the family and friends who shaped her, the boy she could not forget, the changing Ireland which provided the backdrop for their lives.
Under the guidance of her therapist, Ailish begins the process of examining her previous selves: anxious child, traumatized teenager, adult woman riven with a never-to-be-shared secret. From these uniquely broken shards, can she assemble a present self, a whole self, one she can live with?
What readers are saying about Assembling Ailish "A breathtakingly beautiful novel – I couldn’t put it down." "Powerful and raw… a story that lingers in your heart." "Absolutely stunning – a must-read for lovers of emotional fiction." "A deeply moving tale that kept me hooked until the very last page." "An unforgettable story of love, grief, and resilience." "Magnificent… a poignant and powerful debut." "I was swept up in Ailish’s journey – utterly captivating." "Heartfelt and haunting… a masterpiece of storytelling." "Spellbinding… this book stayed with me long after finishing." "A beautifully written and deeply emotional novel – I loved it."
An honest, heartfelt exploration of love, loss, and the bravery to face your demons.
‘A beautiful and important novel, an incisive, insightful study of childhood, motherhood, obligation, guilt, and the impossibility of true freedom from the circular pain of existence, but all lit by a blaze of love and hope’ DONAL RYAN
‘A gripping and skilful debut from a hugely talented storyteller’ JOSEPH O’CONNOR
‘Uplifting and powerful – a stunning debut from a gifted new voice’ FERDIA MAC ANNA
‘An evocative story from a fresh new voice about life, love, hard-won wisdom and learning to forgive’ MARTINA DEVLIN
Ailish McCarthy is not doing well. Outwardly successful – career, beautiful home, wealthy husband, two daughters reared and on the cusp of their own lives– inwardly she is crumbling.
Her relationship with her mother was complicated and difficult, the grief following her death unnaturally prolonged. As much as she wants to move forward, Ailish is caught in a spiral with her ghosts.
In order to escape them, she must resolve her past. Revisit it. Construct again, from memory, the family and friends who shaped her, the boy she could not forget, the changing Ireland which provided the backdrop for their lives.
Under the guidance of her therapist, Ailish begins the process of examining her previous selves: anxious child, traumatized teenager, adult woman riven with a never-to-be-shared secret. From these uniquely broken shards, can she assemble a present self, a whole self, one she can live with?
What readers are saying about Assembling Ailish "A breathtakingly beautiful novel – I couldn’t put it down." "Powerful and raw… a story that lingers in your heart." "Absolutely stunning – a must-read for lovers of emotional fiction." "A deeply moving tale that kept me hooked until the very last page." "An unforgettable story of love, grief, and resilience." "Magnificent… a poignant and powerful debut." "I was swept up in Ailish’s journey – utterly captivating." "Heartfelt and haunting… a masterpiece of storytelling." "Spellbinding… this book stayed with me long after finishing." "A beautifully written and deeply emotional novel – I loved it."