Reviews

There are short story writers and there are novelists. Sometimes, novelists dip their toes into the short form and it doesn't carry, the opposite happens too. I have absolutely adored Barrett's previous two collections, revisited the first a handful of times over the years and was utterly absorbed by the second. I was always wondering when this novel of his would see the light of day but a little anxious if it would hold a candle to his short work. I'm happy to say that Barrett is as accomplished a writer in the short form as he is with the novel. A novel that barrels along at great speed and intensity that juggles character introspection, fire-cracker like snappy dialogue with a great depth of feeling for its characters. It's utterly absorbing, I simply didn't want it to end. All I hope is that the next one doesn't take another ten years to come out, but even if it does it will be worth it!

jasminenicholson2001's review against another edition

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emotional reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

ellen_willaert's review against another edition

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dark sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

reads_eats_explores's review

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Wild Houses is Barrett’s debut novel, and he sticks to his County Mayo home turf with this briskly paced and highly engaging tale of dubious characters caught up in small-time criminal activity throughout just one weekend.

One evening, the Ferdias appear at the front door of their cousin Dev Hendrick with teenager Doll English in their grasp. We soon learn that the Ferdias work as enforcers for a drug dealer named Mulrooney, and they’ve been cuckooing the recently bereaved, achingly lonely Dev by using his house to store their boss’s product.

But why kidnap Doll? Well, his older brother, Cillian, ran a ‘wild house’ as a former dealer, and he’s old debts that need be settled. What better way to make him cough up than abduct his young brother?

When Doll disappears from a Friday night party after a fight with his girlfriend, Nicky Hennigan, her annoyance turns to alarm when she learns that he’s being held hostage. Nicky, plagued by ghosts and deep tragedy of her own, is contemplating her future plans and whether they involve Doll; is young love enough?

With deft skill, Barrett interweaves pitch-perfect stories of Doll’s captivity, Nicky’s troubled mind, and Dev’s sad life story as this weekend rolls on.

There is a simmering threat of violence throughout, and tension steadily builds toward the inevitable confrontation between the Ferdia brothers and Cillian (who, let’s face it, are all shams), but the joy is in Barrett’s ability to bring all characters humanity to the fore. They might be considered the scourge of society, but they all have a backstory and quite clearly recognise their own profound flaws. And, sure, despite all this you can't help but root for them to make the better choices.

With the vibes of Lisa McInerney’s ‘unholy trinity’, there’s so much to love about this book. I’ve said it before, and I’m sure to be saying it again soon: Irish fiction is on top form right now, and Wild Houses is no exception. Can we have a sequel, please, Colin?

4.5⭐

Many thanks to the publisher for the advance copy; this is an honest review, as always. Wild Houses is available now; g’wan and get a copy, run, don't walk.

emilyreadsliterature's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No

4.5

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