Charleen Hurtubise: Saoirse [2026]

Exploring the fine line between dishonesty and reinvention, Saoirse is an
evocative and compelling story of a woman perpetually in flight. A book for fans
of Trespasses by Louise Kennedy and Barbara''s Kingsolver''s Dem on
Copperhead.
Description
''Audacious and propulsive, a story surges with emotion - this is a dazzling novel''
- Colin Walsh, author of Kala
Exploring the fine line between dishonesty and reinvention, Saoirse is an
evocative and compelling story of a woman perpetually in flight. A book for fans
of Trespasses by Louise Kennedy and Barbara''s Kingsolver''s Dem on
Copperhead.
In the w ilds of Donegal, Ireland, 1999, Saoirse is an artist living an outw ardly idyllic
life. Her tender husband Daithí and tw o beloved daughters are regular subjects for
her work, and in them she has found the safe home that she has alw ays longed
for. She tends not to talk about her past, and those that love her have learned to
accept that the full story is too painful for her to disclose.
When her Dublin exhibition unexpectedly w ins a prestigious aw ard that invites a
swarm of publicity, Saoirse is left panic stricken. The unanticipated recognition
threatens to expose a decade''s w orth of buried memories and past crimes.
Because what her family and friends don''t know is that Saoirse has been on the run
since she was seventeen, she has stolen an identity to survive, and w hilst Ireland
might now be her home, it w asn''t her first - and now her past life is poised to
reclaim her.
The novel weaves betw een flashbacks to a complicated childhood in Michigan, and
Saoirse''s journey to and in Ireland to forge safety for herself.

Reviews
''''Audacious and propulsive, a story that surges w ith emotional vitality - this is a
dazzling novel'''' - Colin W alsh, author of Kala
''''A novel as rich w ith narrative layers as the visual art of its protagonist, yet
limned w ith trauma, w ith the consequences of secrecy and silence, and w ith the
hope that can come from true connection and community, Saoirse is an audacious
act of storytelling'''' - Belinda McKeon, author of Tender and Solace
''''Gripping and emotionally complex, Saoirse is a moving portrait of love,
heartbreak and the sacrifices one w oman makes for the family and life she
deserves...luminous!'''' - Michelle Gallen, author of Factory Girls
''''Hurtubise balances grit and tenderness on a high w ire of sustained tension'''' -
Lauren McKenzie, author of The Couples
Biographies

Charleen Hurtubise has lived in Dublin, Ireland for over 25 years, having moved
from Michigan, USA. She is a teacher and artist as well as a writer, and her short
fiction, essays and poetry have appeared in various publications. She holds an MFA
Creative Writing from University College Dublin (UCD) where she has also facilitated
creative writing modules.