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Ordinary Saints

Shortlisted for the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize 2025

Niamh Ni Mhaoileoin

$34.99

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English
BONNIER
12 August 2025

*WINNER OF THE INAUGURAL PFD QUEER FICTION PRIZE
*
*SHORTLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE DISCOVERIES AWARD
*

An arresting, unmissable debut novel shortlisted for the Women's Prize Discoveries award - an exploration of family, grief, queer identity, and the legacy of the Catholic Church in Ireland.

Can you imagine it? I'd say to them. Can you imagine me there in the front row in Saint Peter's Square? The lesbian sister of a literal saint.

Brought up in a devout household in Ireland, Jay is now living in London with her girlfriend, determined to live day to day and not think too much about either the future or the past. But when she learns that her beloved older brother, who died in a terrible accident, may be made into a Catholic saint, she realises she must at last confront her family, her childhood and herself . . .

Inspired by the author's own devout upbringing, Ordinary Saints is a brilliant debut novel from a fresh, exciting new voice which asks - who gets to decide how we are remembered - and who we will become?
By:  
Imprint:   BONNIER
Country of Publication:   United Kingdom
Dimensions:   Height: 234mm,  Width: 153mm,  Spine: 29mm
Weight:   450g
ISBN:   9781786584243
ISBN 10:   1786584247
Pages:   368
Publication Date:  
Audience:   General/trade ,  ELT Advanced
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active

Niamh NíMhaoileoin is an Irish writer living and working in Edinburgh. Her stories, essays and articles have appeared in Gutter, the New Statesman, The Millions, Sexualities and other publications. Her first novel, The Next Life, is an exploration of family, grief, queer identity, and the legacy of the Catholic Church in Ireland.

Reviews for Ordinary Saints: Shortlisted for the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize 2025

Ordinary Saints is the best debut novel I've read in a long time. Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin is a writer of immense delicacy, perception and heart, drilling deep into questions of faith, family and love. A beautiful novel and a huge talent. * Jessica Moor, author of Hold Back the Night * Funny and deeply moving. I adored it. * Chloe Michelle Howarth, author of Sunburn * Mesmerising and original, Ordinary Saints is quite a novel: an empathetic, heart-felt and nuanced exploration of the Catholic church in modern Ireland, queer identity, family and so much more. I absolutely loved it. * Victoria MacKenzie, award-winning author of Thy Great Pain Have Mercy On My Little Pain * Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin's writing has a real magic to it that hits you right from the first sentence. * Okechukwu Nzelu * I both learnt - and felt - a lot reading Ordinary Saints. An intriguing, compelling and deeply original debut. * Roxy Dunn, author of As Young As This * An engrossing and absorbing read . . . Uplifting and absolutely gripping. * Rachel Dawson, author of Neon Roses * An outstanding debut. Delicately woven through with the threads of modern Irishness. Emotionally intelligent, hilarious, superb. * Soula Emmanuel, author of Wild Geese * Deeply emotionally engaging and profoundly thought-provoking. A world I knew nothing about was opened up to me. A cracking great read; and one that stays with you long after you turn the last page. * Sui Annukka, winner of the Women's Discoveries Prize * A clever, emotionally complex, and unfailingly generous debut, I found Ordinary Saints both deeply moving and utterly gripping. * Kate Young, author of Experienced *


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