Yes this could be described at ‘chick lit’, which is not my usual genre, but to me this book oozed comfort and familiarity.
Set in a fictional suburb of Drumcondra, Dublin, it tells the stories of Edie, Martha and Robin for the few months they are neighbours on Pine Street. All three are hiding shame and fear but by getting to know each other, and supporting each other, slowly things start to change. There are more coincidences than you can shake a stick at, but if you take Pine Street as an analogy for a medium-sized Irish town, then it is totally believable!!
What I liked most about this book was that it was firmly set in MODERN Ireland, the Ireland I recognise and am part of. Two of the three main characters are married women (the third is not), and neither of them changed their names when they married. And it was just a fact, no reasons given. Exactly like me.
And on top of that, there is NO mention of the Catholic Church, which again reflects my life and the lives of most of the people around me. No christenings, no communions, etc etc; how refreshing!!!
But Shortall has also tackled a very pertinent issue; sexual assault and it’s aftermath, and also how women still change themselves to suit ‘their man’...... lots of food for thought here too.
So overall, a book that was easy to read in some ways, but also had lots of heart and humour and which reflected the Ireland I know and love.