Dua’s Monthly Read for February 2025
“For a masterclass in building tension, look no further than this book. It’s a family saga set in modern Ireland, following the Barnes family – mother Imelda, father Dickie, 18-year-old Cass and 12-year-old PJ. Thanks to almost Shakespearean levels of miscommunication, we witness this seemingly normal family misfire at every turn until they become isolated from the small community they live in – and each other.
Paul Murray absolutely nails the loneliness of childhood and teenage years, and the ways in which acting normal on the surface can conceal the darkest of secrets. Every character is flawed but no-one is judged – in fact, there is an abundance of empathy in this novel. But this might not be enough to save the Barnes family.
As the book builds pace, it sucks you into a whirlpool of tension, where all escape routes are cut off. The result: a grand finale that will leave you sweating. It’s genius!” – Dua Lipa
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