Saoirse (18) can't wait to leave school - but just before the Leaving Cert her ex-boyfriend dies by suicide. Everyone blames Saoirse - even Saoirse herself, who cheated on him with his best friend. She is shunned by her schoolmates and suffers unbearable levels of anxiety.

Everything becomes too much, and on the night of the school Debs, Saoirse throws herself into the river - and wakes up in a psychiatric hospital. Slowly, painfully, with the support of a friendly hospital cleaner, her old best friend, her kind and hilarious grandmother, and even her irritating sister, Saoirse regains her sense of herself. Eventually she is ready for a new life at University.

About the Author

Helena Close is a native of Limerick City in Ireland. She has been writing full-time for over 20 years. She has written or co-written eight novels, published by Hodder Headline, Hachette Ireland, Little Island and Blackstaff Press. She is Munster Rugby obsessed, and she loves cats and dogs and sometimes people.

Reviews

"Close has a great ear for dialogue and a keen eye for the often-stifling dynamics of small-town life ... Read it - and buy a second copy to thrust into the hands of the next platitude-utterer you encounter."

-- The Irish Times

"A delightfully scathing look at the platitudes around mental health ... The sharp wit of the protagonist Saoirse and the pitch-perfect dialogue make this book a pleasure to read."

* The Irish Times *

"An accurate portrayal of a young person's challenges, this book is also full of hope, love and laughter."

* The Sunday Independent *

"A bittersweet, honest look at loss and trauma."

* Kirkus Reviews *

"An engaging, thought-provoking, moving read that sheds light on the realities of depression while offering honest glimmers of hope."

* LoveReading Expert Review *

"Tells a compelling story ... without flinching from tackling dark topics including mental health and suicide."

* The Limerick Post *

"A beautifully crafted story."

* Paper Lanterns *

"Those who wish to understand trauma, like the loss of loved ones, will enjoy and benefit from this story."

* Youth Services Book Review *

"Honest, unflinching, compassionate ... and powerful. This is the book we need now."

* Fallen Star Stories *


Awards
Short-listed for Literacy Association of Ireland (LAI) Biennial Book Awards 2023: Young Adult Category 2023. Nominated for Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing 2023.



Book Information
ISBN 9781915071033
Author Helena Close
Format Paperback
Page Count 288
Imprint Little Island
Publisher Little Island