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This is a special Signed & Dedicated Edition, and has limited quantity available

Ordinary Saints Signed & Dedicated Edition

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

Niamh Ni Mhaoileoin author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Bonnier Books Ltd

Publishing:24th Apr '25

£16.99

Only available to order until 24th April 2025 at 4:30pm, and will dispatch after that.

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Ordinary Saints cover

*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

'Funny and deeply moving. I adored it'
Chloe Michelle Howarth, author of Sunburn

'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

'An engrossing and absorbing read . . . Uplifting and absolutely gripping' Rachel Dawson, author of Neon Roses

'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

'An outstanding debut. Delicately woven through with the threads of modern Irishness....

ORDINARY SAINTS is 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 *
Funny and deeply moving. I adored it. * Chloe Michelle Howarth, author of Sunburn *
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 Thy Great Pain Have Mercy On My Little Pain *
An engrossing and absorbing read . . . Uplifting and absolutely gripping. * Rachel Dawson, author of Neon Roses *
Niamh 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 *
An outstanding debut. Delicately woven through with the threads of modern Irishness. Emotionally intelligent, hilarious, superb. * Soula Emmanuel, author of Wild Geese *
Deeply emotionally engaging and profoundly thought provoking. A world I knew nothing about was opened up to me. A cracking great read; and one that stays with your long after you turn the last page. * Sui Annukka, winner of the Women's Discoveries Prize *

ISBN: 9781786584236-S

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

368 pages