48 pages 1 hour read

Donal Ryan

The Queen of Dirt Island

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2023

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

The Queen of Dirt Island by Donal Ryan explores the lives of three generations of the Aylward family—Saoirse, her mother Eileen, and her grandmother Nana—in rural Ireland at the turn of the 21st century. The 2022 novel, written by the award-winning Irish author, navigates themes of women in society, family bonds, and complex relationships through Saoirse's upbringing and the family's struggles. This novel contains descriptions of self-harm, suicide, and biased, discriminatory language.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Donal Ryan’s The Queen of Dirt Island has been praised for its lyrical prose and emotional depth, capturing the intricacies of familial relationships and rural Irish life. Critics have lauded Ryan's character development and storytelling. However, some found the pacing uneven and the plot meandering. Overall, it’s a poignant exploration of resilience and community.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Queen of Dirt Island?

Readers who would enjoy The Queen of Dirt Island by Donal Ryan are fans of poignant, character-driven narratives about family and resilience. Comparable to works like A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara and The Green Road by Anne Enright, this book deeply explores interpersonal relationships in a small Irish community.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Historical Fiction

Irish Literature

Modern Classic Fiction

Themes

Relationships: Family

Identity: Gender

Life/Time: Coming of Age

Topics

History: World