I read this book because it was on the Women’s Prize Longlist this year, and it was fantastic. It’s a story about a troubled family of Irish immigrants living in London in 1990. Carmel is a young and seemingly uncaring mother to her ten year old daughter Lucy. When a young girl is found dead in the neighborhood, Lucy is the last one to be seen with her, and the whole neighborhood knows Lucy is capable of violence. The Greens are “that family” and the public is quick to turn on them. Tom Hargreaves is a journalist who stumbles upon the story and sees the sensationalism in this story of a “bad” girl murdering a sweet, innocent child. He uses his job to get as close to the Greens as possible.
Nolan’s story does a great job of exploring unethical journalism while also revealing – and humanizing – the troubles of the family. Carmel, her alcoholic brother Ritchie, and parents John and Rose are each given unique voices in this story that forces us to look beyond the stereotypes.
It’s a short read but a powerful one. I loved the way Nolan explored the psychology of each character, all of whom are much more sympathetic than they first appear. And while the story dramatizes a child’s murder, it never falls into the trap of sensationalizing. You think this is going to be a story about monsters, but the title is apt.
“Really, who would care about a family like theirs? Theirs were ordinary human failings, tragedies too routine to be of note.”
It’s beautifully written and a good choice for the longlist. I’d recommend it for fans of Douglas Stuart and Claire Keegan. It was excellent on audiobook.
