The Quiet Whispers Never Stop

In 1982, Nuala Malin struggles to stay connected to her husband, motherhood, and the smallness of her life in Northern Ireland. In 1994, Sam Malin plans to escape her dysfunctional family and finds solace in music, drugs, and an illicit relationship with an older man. She is drawn to him in a way she can't yet comprehend, and she is more like her mother than she knows.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 14 April 2022
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton General Division

SHORTLISTED FOR THE BUTLER LITERARY AWARD 2022


Powerful


Irish Times


Darkly beautiful


Irish Sunday Independent


Captivating


Jan Carson


Dazzling


Danielle McLaughlin


Utterly absorbing


Kit de Waal


Brilliantly observed


Elaine Feeney


A huge achievement


Niamh Boyce

In 1982, Nuala Malin grapples with the challenge of maintaining connections amidst a backdrop of hatred and stagnation. Her responsibilities as a mother and wife keep her tethered to a life she doesn't desire, particularly with her young daughter Sam and baby son PJ. However, she finds solace in an unexpected relationship with a seventeen-year-old boy, offering temporary respite from her tumultuous existence. Unfortunately, this relationship is merely a bandage over a deep wound, unable to heal the underlying pain. When the opportunity arises to leave Northern Ireland, Nuala seizes it, embarking on a journey to seek a new life outside her family's tumultuous realm.

In 1994, Sam Malin embarks on a determined quest to escape the confines of her dysfunctional family. Longing for a life beyond the North's troubles, she yearns for freedom from her quiet, brooding father, Patsy, who remains silent about her mother, Nuala, a woman she barely knew. Sam finds solace in music, drugs, and her close friend Becca, but her true refuge lies in an illicit relationship with an enigmatic older man.

She is drawn to him in a way she cannot fully comprehend, as he possesses a magnetic presence that captivates her. Sam discovers a surprising similarity between herself and her mother, a realization that shakes her to her core. Through this revelation, she begins to unravel the secrets of her past and the complexities of her family's history.

As Sam navigates her journey of self-discovery, she realizes that her mother, Nuala, has left a profound impact on her life, despite their limited interactions. Nuala's courage and determination in facing adversity inspire Sam to embrace her own strength and pursue her dreams, even in the face of challenges.

In the end, Sam emerges as a stronger, more independent woman, ready to face the world on her terms. Her journey of escape and self-discovery has transformed her, and she carries the lessons learned from her family's past with her, shaping her future in ways she never could have imagined.

Weight: 514g
Dimension: 164 x 240 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529373578