Holding Her Breath

Funny, dark and unexpected – Kevin Power * The Last Word with Matt Cooper *A stunning debut from this new Irish talent, as well as being an exciting page turner it’s also a perfect depiction of how it feels to be lost as you embark on a new chapter of your life * Stellar *From the first sentence to the last, this is a great piece of writing - precise, sure, engaging, and a joy to read – Roddy DoyleRichly accomplished … a true pleasure to read – Dermot Bolger * Business Post *A moving debut with a satisfying conclusion * Irish Independent *Through the dark sky of our times, Eimear Ryan arrives like a comet, a bright talent scorching through every page. To read this book is to feel it blaze to life. I can’t stop thinking about it – Doireann Ní Ghríofa, author of A Ghost in the ThroatA beautiful coming-of-age story told with impressive skill and lightness of touch. It marks the arrival of an exciting new voice on the Irish literary scene, one whom I can’t wait to hear more from. I absolutely loved it – Louise O’NeillWhip-smart observations and addictive prose * Sunday Telegraph *Effortlessly weaving together a gripping, multi-layered plot, while maintaining a profoundly tender touch, Ryan has marked herself as a captivatingly original voice in Irish literature * Hot Press *A delicious read … A nimble account of student life with a darkly enjoyable undercurrent of secrecy and emotional turmoil – Sara BaumeA joy to read ­- disarming, entertaining and life-affirming. A blisteringly good portrayal of complex lives and loves. It’s an enthralling debut from a hugely talented writer – Danielle McLaughlinBrilliant, vivid - I enjoyed this book ENORMOUSLY – Marian KeyesEimear Ryan is a superbly talented writer and Holding Her Breath is a brilliantly realised, gripping, and moving first novel, full of startling perceptions and richly believable characters. This is absolutely the real thing – Kevin PowerA confident, textured, fluent novel about first love - and the campus novel sections are a pure joy – Niamh CampbellWritten with a wonderful clarity and insight, Holding Her Breath lingers in the imagination. Beth’s unravelling and re-ravelling is drawn with great skill and empathy. A brilliant debut – Donal RyanEnthralling * Image *So finely polished it gleams, and yet it’s also almost effortless reading … new, bright, exciting, glittering. I absolutely loved it – Claire HennessyStylishly written, with strong female voices * Irish Times *Very assured … a refreshing, accomplished debut * Sunday Independent *It’s a truly compelling read, and one I wholeheartedly recommend * Buzz *I very much enjoyed reading this one and if you love intimate coming of age tales as much as I do, you have to pick this up – Miriam StimpflAn engaging narrative … written with perfect poise * Saga *

Eimear Ryan’s writing has appeared in Granta, Winter Papers, The Dublin Review and The Stinging Fly. She is the 2021 Writer in Residence at University College Cork. She is a co-founder of the literary journal Banshee and its publishing imprint, Banshee Press. A native of Co. Tipperary, Eimear now lives in Cork city.

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