In the spirit of St Patrick’s Day, I wanted to shine a light on a fantastic Irish author whose work has deeply impressed me: Roisín O’Donnell.
Who is Roisín O’Donnell?
Roisín O’Donnell is a talented Irish writer, living near Dublin, whose powerful storytelling has earned her a well-deserved place in the literary spotlight. In 2018, she won the Short Story of the Year at the An Post Irish Book Awards, and she was shortlisted for the same prize again in 2022. Her short fiction has graced publications such as The Stinging Fly, The Tangerine and The Irish Times. She’s also contributed to major anthologies like The Long Gaze Back, and her stories have been broadcast on RTÉ Radio.
O’Donnell’s debut short story collection, Wild Quiet, received critical acclaim, being longlisted for the Edge Hill Short Story Prize and shortlisted for the Kate O’Brien Award. In January 2025, her debut novel Nesting was published by Scribner UK and Algonquin US – and it became an instant bestseller.
Why Did Roisín O’Donnell make the switch from short stories to a novel?
Back in 2020, O’Donnell received a phone call from a radio producer who wanted to commission her to write a short story for a new series. There were no onerous requirements, only that the story had to speak to themes of ‘independence’. At that time we were at the height of the pandemic, and we were constantly being told to ‘stay home, stay safe’ – O’Donnell wanted to pose the questions what if home is the least safe space you can be? Or if you didn’t have a home?
Roisín O’Donnell originally wrote a story called Present Perfect, about a woman called Ciara Fay, who is living in a hotel room with her two children having escaped an abusive relationship. The story just explored a single day in their lives, but after it had been broadcast, O’Donnell couldn’t stop thinking about the characters and so continued writing. The result was her bestselling debut novel Nesting.
What was Roisín O’Donnell’s inspiration for Nesting?
O’Donnell has always been drawn to stories of female strength, with some of the earliest books making an impact on her being Beloved by Toni Morrison and The Colour Purple by Alice Walker. In these stories, women’s struggles are real and authentic, but so is their gradual reclamation of power.
Why I Loved Nesting
I wasn’t expecting to fall so hard for Nesting, but it absolutely captivated me. Delivered as part of my Goldsboro Premier subscription (which never fails to disappoint), I initially thought it would be an enjoyable read – but it turned out to be far more impactful than I anticipated. O’Donnell’s writing blends warmth with a haunting quality that lingered with me long after I finished.
What Stood Out to Me:
- Emotional Depth: Nesting follows Ciara Fay, a mother who makes the bold decision to flee her home in Dublin with her two young daughters. The emotional depth in Ciara’s journey had me completely invested. As she navigates financial instability, a broken housing system, and pressure from her controlling husband, I found myself
rooting for her like she was my little sister. - Powerful Themes: O’Donnell tackles themes of resilience, control, and hope with incredible sensitivity. Her portrayal of an abusive relationship felt raw and authentic, capturing the mental and emotional strain with unsettling accuracy.
- Memorable Characters: Ciara is one of those rare characters that stays with you long after the final page. Her unwavering determination to keep her daughters safe made her such a compelling and relatable protagonist.
Final Thoughts
Nesting has received plenty of well-deserved recognition: it’s an Observer Best Debut Novelist of 2025, a Sunday Times and Irish Times Bestseller, a BBC Radio 2 Book Club Pick, and most recently, it’s been longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2025. After reading it, I can confidently say it deserves every accolade.
Have you read anything by Roisín O’Donnell? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
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