Books & Spoken Word
Novel Writers: Caoilinn Hughes
Caoilinn Hughes reads from and introduces her brilliant debut novel, Orchid & the Wasp.
Dazzling and daringly original, Hughes’ debut novel tells the story of an unforgettable young woman’s coming of age across Dublin, London, and New York. Gael Foess is a heroine of mythic proportions. Raised in Dublin by single-minded, careerist parents, she learns from an early age how ideals and ambitions can be compromised. When her father walks out during the 2008 crash, her family falls apart. Determined to build a life-raft for her loved ones, Gael sets off for London and New York, proving how little it takes to game the system – but is it really exploitation if the loser isn’t aware of what he’s losing?
Written in electric, heart-stopping prose, Orchid & the Wasp is a dazzlingly original novel about gigantic ambitions and social upheaval, chewing through sexuality, class and politics with joyful, anarchic fury.
is needed now More than ever
“A gem of a novel.” – ELLE
“A winning debut.” – The New Yorker
“Caoilinn Hughes is a massive talent.” – Anthony Doerr, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of All the Light We Cannot See
Image credit: Danijel Mihajlović
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