Ordinary Saints: An arresting, unmissable debut novel of family, grief, faith and queer identity, shortlisted for the Women’s Prize Discoveries award

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*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?

Praise for Ordinary Saints:

‘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

‘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 For Thy Great Pain Have Mercy on My Little Pain

‘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