A Night in with Roisín O'Donnell
Connect with Irish Book Award winner Roisín O'Donnell as she unpacks her breakout debut novel Nesting, a gripping story about one woman's courageous journey to reclaim her life.
On a bright spring afternoon in Dublin, Ciara Fay makes a split-second decision that will change everything. Grabbing an armful of clothes from the washing line, Ciara straps her two young daughters into her car and drives away. Head spinning, all she knows for certain is that home is no longer safe.
This was meant to be an escape. But with dwindling savings, no job, and her family across the sea, Ciara finds herself adrift, facing a broken housing system and the voice of her own demons. As summer passes and winter closes in, she must navigate raising her children in a hotel room, searching for a new home and dealing with her husband Ryan’s relentless campaign to get her to come back. Because leaving is one thing, but staying away is another.
What will it take for Ciara to reinvent her life? Can she ever truly break away from Ryan’s control – and what will be the cost?
In conversation with feminist writer, Laura Bates, together they will discuss how Roisín channelled her mastery of the short story into a powerful narrative that speaks to the heart of contemporary Ireland. Through her urgent observations around the housing crisis and women's struggles for autonomy, they unravel this unflinching portrait of survival.
Join us as Roisín reveals how she created a story that mirrors the complex reality many women face when choosing between safety and stability.
The ‘stream and book’ package includes a unique ticket for the stream, and a copy of Nesting (RRP £16.99) deliverable to any UK or international address.
The event will initially be broadcast on 5 March at 6.30pm UK time. It will be available to view up to two weeks after the event has ended and can be accessed Worldwide. If you live in a time zone that does not suit the initial broadcast time you can watch it at any point after the initial showing for two weeks.
If you have any questions, please email [email protected].