Fun and Games

‘McHugh’s linguistic rendering of John’s interior world rings clear and true … I tore through these psychological pages under the spell of a writer at the top of his technical game … McHugh’s writing has the full range: it can be funny, and deeply sad, and at times horribly apt’ Telegraph ‘A funny and frank coming-of age-drama, propelled by the heart-swelling comic agony of the protagonist’s incapacity to act without second-guessing the consequences for his social rank’ Observer, ‘The best new novelists for 2025’ ‘Young masculinity, romance, class and growing up are all examined in this deft coming of age story from a debut novelist with a real gift’ iNews ‘A darkly comic and deeply moving debut novel’ Irish Examiner ‘A nostalgic and witty coming of age novel. For lovers of Irish fiction’ Debut Digest ‘Fun and Games is a triumph – an irresistible tribute to the agonies of adolescence – and also the funniest novel I’ve read in years’ Sally Rooney, author of Intermezzo 'One of the funniest novels I've read in years … an utter joy to read' Colin Barrett, author of Wild Houses 'A truly gorgeous novel from a writer of immense talent' Michael Magee, author of Close to Home ‘Lyrical and at turns funny and heartbreaking … a startlingly compelling evocation of youthful passion and the often-fraught bonds of family and friendship’ Ferdia Lennon, author of Glorious Exploits ‘Fun and Games is a charming, funny and sensitive novel … John Patrick McHugh has a gift for depicting interior life’ Nicole Flattery, author of Nothing Special ‘Heartbreaking and raucous and filled with love, Fun and Games is a joy unconfined’ Aidan Cottrell-Boyce, author of The End of Nightwork ‘A remarkable depiction of burgeoning masculinity' Rebecca Watson, author of I Will Crash ‘Bighearted and boisterous, bursting with life … a gorgeous, aching whirligig of a novel’ Colin Walsh, author of Kala ‘McHugh writes with exceptional honesty, nuance and humour’ Caoilinn Hughes, author of The Alternatives