The Glorious Heresies
 | |
| Author | Lisa McInerney |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Publisher | John Murray |
Publication date | 9 April 2015 |
| Publication place | United Kingdom |
| Pages | 384 pp |
| ISBN | 9781444798852 1st ed. UK hardcover |
| OCLC | 905228416 |
| 823.92 | |
The Glorious Heresies is a novel by Irish author Lisa McInerney, first published 9 April 2015 in the United Kingdom by John Murray.
The novel is set in Cork, Ireland, in the wake of economic downturn, and explores the meager circumstances and decisions of several characters who are on the fringe of society. The plot explores drug and alcohol abuse, poverty, drug dealing, prostitution, religious abuse, unplanned pregnancy, rehabilitation, and organised crime, enveloped around the accidental homicide of someone, committed by 59-year-old Maureen, which in varying ways implicates the rest of the characters.[1]
The novel was received positively by critics and it won the Women's Prize for Fiction and the Desmond Elliott Prize.
Summary
[edit]The narrative follows a young man called Ryan as he struggles with family issues and the Irish criminal underworld.[2]
Characters
[edit] |
- Maureen — An elderly woman who kills an intruder in her house. This inciting incident brings various other characters into the know about the disposal of the body and has far-reaching consequences on all of them for years, as tensions and mistrust worsen.
- Ryan — Tony's son, a 15-year-old drug seller. Abused by his alcoholic family, he finds solace in Tara. However, he spends time in jail and fate is not particularly kind to him during the novel's plot.
- Tara — Ryan's neighbor and sexual partner.
Reception
[edit]Reviews
[edit]The Glorious Heresies received mostly positive reviews. The Irish Times described the book as "biting, moving and darkly funny".[3] The Guardian criticised the novel for lacking in energy during its final third but said McInerney "has talent to burn".[4]
Awards
[edit]In 2016, The Glorious Heresies won the Women's Prize for Fiction[5] and the Desmond Elliott Prize.[6][7][8]
References
[edit]- ^ "The Glorious Heresies". Kirkus Reviews. 16 May 2016. Archived from the original on 27 July 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
- ^ Stasio, Marilyn (5 August 2016). "The Latest and Best in Crime Fiction". The New York Times.
- ^ Doyle, Martin (1 March 2016). "The Glorious Heresies by Lisa McInerney is Irish Times Book Club choice for March". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 27 July 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
- ^ Hickling, Alfred (1 May 2015). "The Glorious Heresies by Lisa McInerney review – the Sweary Lady is on bellicose form". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
- ^ "The Glorious Heresies - 2016 Winner". Women's Prize for Fiction. Archived from the original on 7 July 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
- ^ "Desmond Elliott Prize". National Centre for Writing. Archived from the original on 26 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
- ^ Flood, Allison (22 June 2016). "Lisa McInerney's 'astounding' debut novel wins Desmond Elliott prize". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
- ^ "Awards: Desmond Elliott". Shelf Awareness. 24 June 2016. Archived from the original on 10 February 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
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