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Confessions

The beautiful new literary debut about secrets, womanhood and family, set between Ireland and New York

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Confessions

By: Catherine Airey
Narrated by: Eileen O'Higgins, Bronagh Waugh, Ruby Campbell, Skye Bennett, Catherine Airey, Kwaku Fortune
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Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

'I was at a time in my life where I got to thinking more about people's choices – how everything would be different if just the slightest decision changed...'

It is late September in 2001 and the walls of New York are papered over with photos of the missing. Cora Brady’s father is there, the poster she made taped to columns and bridges. Her mother died long ago and now, orphaned on the cusp of adulthood, Cora is adrift and alone. Soon, a letter will arrive with the offer of a new life: far out on the ragged edge of Ireland, in the town where her parents were young, an estranged aunt can provide a home and fulfil a long-forgotten promise. There the story of Cora's family is hidden, and in her presence will begin to unspool…

An essential, immersive debut from an astonishing new voice, Confessions traces the arc of three generations of women as they experience in their own time the irresistible gravity of the past: its love and tragedy, its mystery and redemption, and, in all things intended and accidental, the beauty and terrible shade of the things we do.

‘A remarkable debut. A complex and compulsive read that unravels the intricate twists and revelations among three generations of women with elegance and urgency.’ Miranda Cowley Heller, bestselling author of THE PAPER PALACE

'CONFESSIONS is a beating heart of a novel, intricate both in its weaving and its unspooling. An irresistible read.' Yael van der Wouden, Booker-shortlisted author of THE SAFEKEEP


© Catherine Airey 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025

 Family Life Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Women's Fiction
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Critic reviews

A saga: its serious pleasures are its expansiveness and range, and Airey’s rare, particular instinct... a cool, bold image of female pain and liberation
Confessions is a remarkable debut. A complex and compulsive read that unravels the intricate twists and revelations among three generations of women with elegance and urgency (Miranda Cowley Heller, author of THE PAPER PALACE)
CONFESSIONS is a beating heart of a novel, intricate both in its weaving and its unspooling. An irresistible read (Yael van der Wouden, author of THE SAFEKEEP)
An intricately woven epic, Confessions is both intimate and expansive, a novel that teems with raw, hungry life (Colin Walsh, author of KALA)
I was mesmerized from the very first pages of Catherine Airey's startling debut, Confessions. The story of Maire and Roisin, two Irish sisters living an ocean apart, proceeds with an almost hypnotic power and grace - it has the certainty of fable and the true originality of a powerful new voice in fiction. (Tara Conklin, New York Times bestselling author of THE LAST ROMANTICS)
Propulsive and utterly captivating … Airey has shades of the American novelists Donna Tartt and Jeffrey Eugenides in her style
The beautifully written narrative goes on to reveal the secrets of three generations of women. It’s an epic family saga involving a host of mysteries and I galloped to the end. I loved it.
The narrative zips along with the crackling intelligence of Donna Tartt, full of twists and zips, and genuine surprises... Confessions is an astonishing and remarkable novel, and truly deserving of all the accolades coming its way
Brilliantly conceived and magnificently executed, I truly could not put it down. I haven’t come across as honest, truthful, compelling, and gripping a writer for decades. The work of a debut novelist that feels like the work of a seasoned and highly accomplished author (Anna Fitzgerald, author of GIRL IN THE MAKING)
Confessions is a tender and bitingly original work that effortlessly weaves the parochial weight of Irish family history with the mendacious allure of Manhattan's seedy streets. Catherine Airey reads like a natural successor to Maeve Brennan, a chronicler of the pain and peril of self-determination. (Darragh McKeon, award-winning author of REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY)
All stars
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What a wonderful book. I was instantly gripped with this. I loved the different narrators and was intrigued with the story. I was sad when it was over.

Fabulous debut!

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Wonderful family saga from a super new author. Loved the story running through this novel between three generations living between Ireland and New York.

Family comnections through the three generations

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Needed a bit of thought to remember the generations, but great characters and kept me listening to the end

Interesting characters

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Loved the New York and Irish settings and the Charlo and story line it was just a great listen

Great story and narration and lots of different layers and perspectives I really loved this book

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A novel that keeps you on your toes and weaves back and forth over several generations of Irish/American women. Strong themes repeat throughout, in a mostly clever juxtaposition but sometimes a little clunkily.
Pretty good narration, found one or two irritating but that’s bound to happen with so many.
Didnt find differentiating the characters difficult unlike some reviews suggest.

Impressive debut and thought provoking, in the evolution in women s rights, mental health and possibilities today. Also regarding inherited behaviours, genetics and trauma.

Jigsaw novel, sweaping storyline about women, incredible first

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