Description

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 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. When she moved to London, Saoirse was leaving Ireland behind for good, and with it her messy, broken family. But it turns out that starting again isn’t as easy as she imagined, and when her five-year relationship goes south, Saoirse finds herself out of options. And so here she is, trudging back to her mother Maire’s house up a side road on the outskirts of Irish civilisation.

Except the world she comes back to is nothing like the one she left behind. Her mother has a new family, and everyone else seems to be moving on. But between the drinking, drugs, and an entirely healthy, not-problematic-at-all-thanks relationship with Charlie, there’s plenty to distract her.

Don’t look too closely, and everything’s fine. Saoirse is just fine.

‘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

Publisher Review

‘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 Gebler ‘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)