From the twice Man Booker longlisted author of From a Low and Quiet Sea
Melody Shee is alone and in trouble. Her husband doesn't take her news too well. She can’t tell her father yet because he’s a good man and this could break him. She’s trying to stay in the moment, but the future is looming – larger by the day – while the past won’t let her go. What she did to Breedie Flynn all those years ago still haunts her.
It’s a good thing that she meets Mary Crothery when she does. Mary is a young Traveller woman, and she knows more about Melody than she lets on. She might just save Melody’s life.
A joy to read, for all that it breaks your heart - Independent
One of the finest writers working in Ireland today ... worthy of Greek drama - Guardian
An exquisite account of womanhood, friendship, prejudice and tradition that is both intimate in scale and awesome in achievement - Irish Independent
Work of genius ... I was entranced by it. Buckled by it. -- Sebastian Barry -
Author
About Donal Ryan
Donal Ryan was born in a village in north Tipperary, a stroll from the shores of Lough Derg. Donal wrote the first draft of The Spinning Heart in the long summer evenings of 2010, and has also completed a second novel. He lives with his wife Anne Marie and two children just outside Limerick City.
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