Show Me Where It Hurts

With gentle and lulling prose, Show Me Where It Hurts is exceptional in its exploration of the grief and recovery from something unthinkable. This is simply an exquisite novel. – Anne Griffin, author of When All Is SaidExceptional. Also brave. One of those novels that, afterwards, makes me think not just about the story itself, but also about why we read, and the role of fiction. – Florence Knapp, author of The NamesThis thoughtful and imaginative debut glows with emotional insight and heft. It tackles a difficult and rarely discussed subject in an engaging, clear-slighted and highly readable way – Henrietta McKervey, author of A Talented ManThis story of a woman’s survival after the worst has happened, makes for a searingly beautiful novel. Stunningly crafted, with complex and shocking themes that are never shied away from, I found myself profoundly moved while frequently thinking about the characters when not reading it. This is a novel that lingers. – Jennie Godfrey, author of The List of Suspicious ThingsWow what a debut! This book is outstanding and has lingered in my head for a very long time. Rachel and Tom are married and have two children when the unthinkable happens. The story is a deep dive into how trauma and suffering affect us. Although a hard read at times this is an entrancing searing read and actually one of hope. I definitely expect it to be on awards shortlists! I cannot stop recommending it * Prima *An unforgettable tale about love, loss and mental illness. 5 stars * The Sun *I was gripped by this emotionally intelligent, thought-provoking exploration of the worst thing possible and what led to it. There are no easy answers, however, and the deeper into it we get, the more complicated it becomes. Devastating and important. – Sara Lawrence * Daily Mail *Claire Gleeson’s quietly compelling debut novel, Show Me Where It Hurts, opens with a horrifying scene … while the dramatic opening grabs the reader’s attention, Gleeson approaches the subject matter with the necessary sensitivity and restraint … it is about so much more than the horrifying tragedy at its heart. Gleeson is telling a multifaceted story about our society here. She is looking at everything from male shame and stigma around depression to the pressure to succeed in modern Ireland and the slippery, changeable nature of mental illness, along with the incomprehensible strength and painstaking determination it takes to rebuild a life after a devastating loss. – Edel Coffey * Irish Times *A searing examination of grief, regret and coming to terms with unimaginable loss … a harrowing yet beautiful read, offering a profound meditation on the toll of grief, the passing of time, and the possibility - against all odds - of finding hope in the face of tragedy – Aisling Maria Cronin * Irish Independent *Brilliantly written … a difficult subject, but Gleeson handles it so well: the trials of family life, living with someone with depression, and overwhelming grief – Claire Fuller, author Unsettled GroundI read this novel in a single day … I’m in awe of Claire Gleeson’s writing and structuring and empathy. It’s a book about the people, not the horror. A completely immersive, beautiful read – Abigail Dean, author of Girl A

Claire Gleeson is from Dublin, where she lives with her young family and works as a GP. Her short stories have been short- and long-listed for numerous prizes. In 2021 she was awarded a Words Ireland literary mentorship while she worked on the first draft of Show Me Where It Hurts, which went on to be a runner-up at the Irish Writers’ Centre Novel Fair 2023.

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