WINNER OF THE NERO BOOK AWARD FOR FICTION 2023WINNER OF AN POST IRISH BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023WINNER OF THE SKY ARTS AWARDS 2024SHORTLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE 2023SHORTLISTED FOR THE WRITERS’ PRIZE FOR FICTION 2024SHORTLISTED FOR THE KERRY GROUP NOVEL OF THE YEAR 2024ONE OF SARAH JESSICA PARKER’S BEST BOOKS OF 2023From one of our greatest comic novelists and the author of Skippy Dies comes a funny, thought-provoking story of one family desperately clinging on as their world falls apart . . .
'A tragicomic triumph. You won't read a sadder, truer, funnier novel this year' GuardianThe Barnes family is in trouble. Dickie's once-lucrative car business is going under - but rather than face the music, he's spending his days in the woods, building an apocalypse-proof bunker with a renegade handyman.
His wife Imelda is selling off her jewellery on eBay while their teenage daughter Cass, formerly top of her class, seems determined to binge-drink her way to her final exams. And twelve-year-old PJ is putting the final touches to his grand plan to run away from home. Where did it all go wrong? A patch of ice on the tarmac, a casual favour to a charming stranger, a bee caught beneath a bridal veil?Can a single moment of bad luck change the direction of a life? And if the story has already been written - is there still time to find a happy ending?Book of the Year 2023 according to New York Times, New Yorker, The Sunday Times, The Economist, Observer, Guardian, Washington Post, Lit Hub, TIME magazine, Irish Times, The Oldie, Daily Mail, i Paper, Independent, The Standard, The Times, Kirkus, Daily Express, City A.M.
‘The finest novel that Murray has yet written . . .
will surely be one of the books of 2023’ Sunday Independent'Murray is a natural storyteller . . .
Ambitious, expansive, hugely entertaining tragicomic fiction' Irish Times'It's a thing of beauty, a novel that will fill your heart' Observer‘Generous, immersive, sharp-witted and devastating . . .
a triumph’ Financial Times‘It's been compared to Jonathan Franzen's The Corrections; I'd argue it's better’ Daily Mail
Paul Murray
Paul Murray is an Irish author known for his insightful and humorous novels. His most notable work is "Skippy Dies," a darkly comic novel that explores themes of adolescence, friendship, and the complexities of modern life. Murray's writing style is characterized by sharp wit, vivid imagery, and deeply developed characters. His works have been praised for their keen observations of human nature and social dynamics. Murray's contribution to literature lies in his ability to blend humor and pathos, creating compelling narratives that resonate with readers. He has made a significant impact on contemporary fiction, earning critical acclaim and a dedicated following of fans.
Other related
The Sustainable Self
A Personal Approach to Sustainability Education
A Love Song for Ricki Wilde
The epic new romance from the author of Seven Days in June
The Atlas Complex
The devastating conclusion to the story that started with The Atlas Six - now an international bestseller
