The Coast Road, Alan Murrin
The Coast Road, Alan Murrin
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The Coast Road
A Novel

Author: Alan Murrin

Narrator: Jessica Regan

Unabridged: 7 hr 52 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: HarperAudio

Published: 06/04/2024

Synopsis

“I loved this novel. All the female characters are complex and fascinating, and full of anger and hope. I found it an addictive read.”—actor Gillian AndersonA poignant debut novel about the lives of women in a claustrophobic coast town and the search for independence in a society that seeks to limit it.Set in 1994, The Coast Road tells the story of two women—Izzy Keaveney, a housewife, and Colette Crowley, a poet. Colette has left her husband and sons for a married man in Dublin. When she returns to her home in County Donegal to try to pick up the pieces of her old life, her husband, Shaun, a successful businessman, denies her access to her children.The only way she can see them is with the help of neighbour Izzy, acting as a go-between. Izzy also feels caught in a troubled marriage. The friendship that develops between them will ultimately lead to tragedy for one, and freedom for the other.Addictive as Big Little Lies with a depth and compassion that rivals the works of Claire Keegan, Elizabeth Strout, and Colm Tóibín, The Coast Road is a story about the limits placed on women’s lives in Ireland only a generation ago, and the consequences women have suffered trying to gain independence. Award-winning Irish author Alan Murrin reminds us of the price we are forced to pay to find freedom.

About Alan Murrin

Alan Murrin is an Irish writer based in Berlin. His short story, “The Wake,” won the 2021 Bournemouth Writing Prize and was shortlisted for short story of the year at the Irish Book Awards. The Coast Road was shortlisted for the PFD Queer Fiction prize. Murrin is also the recipient of an Irish Arts Council Agility Award and an Arts Council Literature Bursary. He is a graduate of the prose fiction masters at the University of East Anglia, and writes for the Irish Times and the Times Literary Supplement, as well as Art Review and e-flux.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Rowan on May 12, 2024

A phenomenal debut by Irish writer, Alan Murrin. The Coast Road takes place in Ireland during the 1990s, before divorce was made legal. “After her husband left in the morning and the kids went off to school, she floated around the place like she was haunting her own life.” This was a beautifully......more

Goodreads review by Rosh ~on extended semihiatus~ on June 03, 2024

In a Nutshell: A literary fiction set in 1994 Ireland, when divorce wasn’t legally allowed. Interesting and layered characters, many points to ponder upon. A strong debut. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Plot Preview: County Donegal, 1994. Izzy, who is married to a local politician since many years, isn’......more

Goodreads review by Canadian Jen on July 01, 2024

Murrin takes us back to the ‘90’s in Ireland, when divorce was illegal and a separation was a sin. We meet Izzy, Delores & Colette. Three women whose marital relationships are strained or irreparable. . Colette who left her husband and has returned but can’t get access to her children. An unlikely f......more

Goodreads review by Karen on April 27, 2025

An amazing debut! Three women trapped in their marriages in 1994 County Donegal where divorce is not yet legal. This author captures the desires and limitations, and disappointments put on these women during this time of unrest in their lives …much in part to the gossipers of the town! This ended up be......more

Goodreads review by Michael on April 11, 2025

Coastal Roadblocks In an interview with Library Love Fest, the HarperCollins YouTube channel, author Alan Murrin says that he has always “...had a thing for a female character that is difficult, but that you are rooting for.” In his debut novel “The Coast Road” he has nailed that. Colette Crowley is......more

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