In February 1959, Switzerland held a referendum on women's suffrage. The men voted 'no'. In this powerful novella, Clare O'Dea explores that day through the eyes of four very different Swiss women. Vreni is a busy farmer's wife, longing for a break from family life. Her grown-up daughter Margrit is carving out an independent life in Bern, but finds herself trapped in an alarming situation. Esther, a cleaner, is desperate to recover her son who has been taken into care. Beatrice, a hospital administrator, has been throwing herself into the 'yes' campaign. The four women's paths intersect on a day that will leave its mark on all their lives.

About the Author
Originally from Dublin, Clare O'Dea has lived in Switzerland since 2003. After studying French and Russian at Trinity College Dublin, she had a varied media career in Ireland, with a freelance stint in Russia. Clare worked for the state broadcaster (RTE), the 'Irish Times', Today FM and the Guna Nua Theatre Company. Her first non-fiction book, 'The Naked Swiss: A Nation Behind 10 Myths', was published in 2016 by Bergli Books. A second updated edition followed in 2018. Clare turned to Ireland as a subject for her second book, 'The Naked Irish: Portrait of a Nation Beyond the Cliches'.

Reviews
'An uplifting story of hope and solidarity, as well as a vivid, fascinating snapshot of a recent (almost unbelievably recent!) moment in Swiss history. I devoured it in one sitting' -Jonathan Coe; 'Rich and impactful; clever exploration of the slow pace of social progress' -The Irish Times; 'O'Dea's storytelling is delicate, tender and insightful. The lives of four Swiss women in the 1950s are opened up to us with care and beauty. A work of fine historical fiction not to be missed' -Anne Griffin, author of 'When All is Said'; 'a fascinating piece of history that packs a punch' -Books Ireland Magazine; 'Through deft storytelling skill and narrative imagination, Clare O'Dea's novella shows how a particular moment in history was experienced through the eyes of real women. Subtly and ingeniously, Voting Day points to the many small and big ways in which womens' struggle for equality still prevails' -Sarah Moore Fitzgerald, author of 'The Apple Tart of Hope' and 'All The Money In The World'; 'Clare O'Dea's gripping novel is a valuable testament to a moment in history. In a critical yet caring way, the author movingly portrays the fate of four disenfranchised women who are nevertheless striving to take control of their lives' -Barbara Traber, Swiss author and translator; 'One critical day in the imagined lives of four women might initially seem to us to have taken place several generations ago, at a time when women were literally second-class citizens, but their emotions and humanity resonate to this day with unchanged relevance. A lot has changed for women; little has changed. Clare O'Dea has brilliantly captured this dichotomy in her compelling depiction of a so-called bygone era' -Alison Anderson, author of 'The Summer Guest'; 'O'Dea writes of the experiences of her characters with great empathy and compassion as well as with impeccable historical accuracy' -Historical Novel Society; 'Each tale is beautifully told by first time author, Clare O'Dea, who skilfully depicts the character of each woman and spins the connections between them into a compelling, coherent narrative' -Mechanics Institute Review



Book Information
ISBN 9781914148071
Author Clare O'Dea
Format Paperback
Page Count 176
Imprint Fairlight Books
Publisher Fairlight Books