Nothing But Blue Sky: Kathleen MacMahon
Kathleen Macmahon
Is there such a thing as a perfect marriage?
David thought so. But when his wife Mary Rose dies suddenly he has to think again. In reliving their twenty years together David sees that the ground beneath them had shifted and he simply hadn't noticed. Or had chosen not to.
Figuring out who Mary Rose really was and the secrets that she kept - some of these hidden in plain sight - makes David wonder if he really knew her. Did he even know himself?
Nothing But Blue Sky is a precise and tender story of love in marriage - a gripping examination of what binds couples together and of what keeps them apart.
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'Touching and enthralling' Sunday Times
'What a beautiful novel ... Elegant, understated, subtly powerful, and rings so perfectly true' Donal Ryan
'Heart-rending ... MacMahon's words ring with the honesty of truth, offering genuine insight into the human condition' Business Post
'Beautiful and moving' Claire Fuller, author of Unsettled Ground
'Skilfully written with a wonderful lightness of touch' Irish Times
'Gentle and triumphant, MacMahon offers us a novel seeped in beautiful prose and poignant tenderness' Anne Griffin
'A beautifully written and powerful tale' Woman & Home
'A tender dissection of a marriage' Independent
'A piece of perfection ... the best book I've read all year' Irish Examiner
'Sure and subtle, MacMahon holds the reader in her spell. She is a born storyteller' Mike McCormack
Product Details
About Kathleen Macmahon
Reviews for Nothing But Blue Sky: Kathleen MacMahon
Sunday Times, Novels of the Year 2020
A piece of perfection - a subtle, thought-provoking investigation of a marriage. It rings true. It's the best book I've read all year
Irish Examiner
What a beautiful novel ... elegant, understated, subtly powerful, and rings so perfectly true ... Beautiful, poignant moments, drawn with such quiet power. And that quiet power is alive and at work on every page
Donal Ryan Beautiful and moving
Claire Fuller, author of Unsettled Ground Insightful and deeply moving, this is a story of one man's grief that somehow manages to hold onto its sense of humour. I loved this book
Christine Dwyer Hickey Skilfully written with a wonderful lightness of touch ... An acutely observed portrait of a relationship ... filled with astute observations of human behaviour
Irish Times
Kathleen MacMahon's prose could not appear more effortless or beautiful
Sunday Independent
Heart-rending ... a tender and beautiful [love story] ... MacMahon's words ring with the honesty of truth, offering genuine insight into the human condition
Business Post
A tender dissection of marriage
Independent
This elegant, tender novel is an absolute pleasure
Best
A beautifully written and powerful tale
Woman & Home
Gentle and triumphant, MacMahon offers us a novel steeped in beautiful prose and poignant tenderness
Anne Griffin The most beautiful prose I have read in years ... Not only my favourite novel of the year, but possibly of the decade
Margaret Madden
Sunday Independent
I've been recommending Nothing But Blue Sky to anyone who'll listen ... It's about grief and eulogising and getting into the "habit of happiness" and I just loved it
Emer McLysaght
Irish Times, Best Books of 2020
Beautiful ... A gentle but deeply affecting read, and the perfect reminder of how sadness and hope can sometimes live side by side
Woman's Way
Sure and subtle, MacMahon holds the reader in her spell. She is a born storyteller
Mike McCormack Kathleen MacMahon has written an absorbing, grave, and emotionally resonant study of a marriage, of a life, of masculinity and of grief. A marvellous achievement
Neil Hegarty Kathleen MacMahon sensitively explores the complexities of the human heart and reveals how even in the depths of grief, unexpected light can emerge from the darkness
David Park Full of humour and brims with the warmth of family, friendship and the possibility of second chances
Irish Sunday People
An elegantly written and moving account of one man coming to terms with the sudden death of his wife
Irish Times Magazine
Excellent (and darkly funny) ... A sensitive, nuanced, and ultimately hopeful exploration of grief
Eimear Ryan
Irish Examiner
Full of humour and brims with the warmth of family, friendship and the possibility of second chances
Sunday Mirror
Touching and enthralling
Sunday Times
Stunning
Henrietta McKervey
via Twitter
A tender portrait of a marriage and how we are formed by our closest relationships
Good Housekeeping
Heart-wrenching ... Almost a parable, it's a cautionary tale for those failing to appreciate just how short life can be
RTÉ Culture
It's rare to read an account of a happy normal marriage and she does it brilliantly
Sue Leonard Kathleen MacMahon writes with a confidence and ease and with an unerring sense of timing
Irish Times
Nothing But Blue Sky is quiet and thoughtful and very moving - Claire Fuller
Claire Fuller