Niamh Ni Mhaoileoin

Ordinary Saints

Brought up in a devout household in Ireland, Jay is now living in London with her girlfriend, determined to live day to day and not think too much about either the future or the past. But when she learns that her beloved older brother, who died in a terrible accident, may be made into a Catholic saint, she realises she must at last confront her family, her childhood and herself . . .

Inspired by the author's own devout upbringing, Ordinary Saints is a brilliant debut novel from a fresh, exciting new voice which asks - who gets to decide how we are remembered - and who we will become?
Review:
[Read: 25 September 2025]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Very heavy themes of religion, grief and being queer growing up in a Catholic household. But mainly it's about losing a sibling, a son and how this affects everyone going forward.

Even though I didn't grow up Catholic, didn't really understand the Catholic faith or have had to deal with the kind of grief this family went through, I still managed to enjoy this book immensely.

Highly recommend for the mere fact that it was written very well.
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