An extraordinary and urgent debut by a prize-winning Irish writer, NESTING introduces an unforgettable new voice in fiction. On a bright spring afternoon in Dublin, Ciara Fay makes a split-second decision that will change everything. Grabbing an armful of clothes from the washing line, Ciara straps her two young daughters into her car and drives away. Head spinning, all she knows for certain is that home is no longer safe.
This was meant to be an escape. But with dwindling savings, no job, and her family across the sea, Ciara finds herself adrift, facing a broken housing system and the voice of her own demons. As summer passes and winter closes in, she must navigate raising her children in a hotel room, searching for a new home and dealing with her husband Ryan’s relentless campaign to get her to come back. Because leaving is one thing, but staying away is another.
What will it take for Ciara to reinvent her life? Can she ever truly break away from Ryan’s control – and what will be the cost?
Tense, beautiful, and underpinned by an unassailable love, hope and resilience, this is the story of one woman’s bid to start over.
‘Brand-new, urgent and hugely satisfying’ RODDY DOYLE
'As emotionally charged as it is brutally real. The writing is flawless. I was profoundly moved’ ELAINE FEENEY
‘Will make your blood boil and your heart soar. This is an important novel' CLAIRE KILROY
‘Gorgeous, maddening, thrilling and compassionate’ SHEILA ARMSTRONG
‘Authentic, vivid and important… I read with my heart in my mouth’ UNA MANNION
__________________________________________________________________________________
An extraordinary and urgent debut by a prize-winning Irish writer, NESTING introduces an unforgettable new voice in fiction.
On a bright spring afternoon in Dublin, Ciara Fay makes a split-second decision that will change everything. Grabbing an armful of clothes from the washing line, Ciara straps her two young daughters into her car and drives away. Head spinning, all she knows for certain is that home is no longer safe.
This was meant to be an escape. But with dwindling savings, no job, and her family across the sea, Ciara finds herself adrift, facing a broken housing system and the voice of her own demons. As summer passes and winter closes in, she must navigate raising her children in a hotel room, searching for a new home and dealing with her husband Ryan’s relentless campaign to get her to come back. Because leaving is one thing, but staying away is another.
What will it take for Ciara to rebuild her life? Can she ever truly break away from Ryan’s control – and what will be the cost?
Tense, beautiful and underpinned by an unassailable love, hope and resilience, this is the story of one woman’s bid to start over.
Advance reader reviews for NESTING:
‘From the first page, NESTING is addictive’ *****
‘A heart wrenching but hopeful read, I loved it’ *****
‘Not a word is wasted. This is the type of novel that will leave you feeling breathless’ *****
‘The writing is incredible, and it will stay with me for a long time’ *****
‘A truly inspiring book. More than a “story”’ *****
‘From the very first page, I was rooting for Ciara’ *****
‘A powerful story of survival, courage, and the strength of a mother’s love’ *****
‘I read it overnight. I could not put it down!’ *****
‘Beautifully written, I guarantee you will shed a tear or two’ *****
‘An unforgettable debut, this searing voice will mark your hearts and minds’ *****
‘I'm fairly confident this will be in my top ten books this year and I will be recommending it to everyone I meet’ *****
