Somewhere
Published on 14. May 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
336 pages
978-1-84351-979-9 (ISBN)
Description
'Back in the flat, Sylvia is no use. She doesn't have any ideas, all she suggests is get a job, take your time, get some money together, then go somewhere. But Clodagh needs to go now, needs to go today if possible. Even Seamus has gone. But where, and with what?'
Clodagh finds herself adrift after leaving her partner Seamus. Navigating addiction, the harsh realities of a housing crisis, and relationships pushed to the brink, this is a story of her attempts to reconnect with herself, and those closest to her, in a gritty, vividly rendered contemporary Dublin.
Weaving from place to place and person to person - past friends, fellow users and her worried mother Sylvia - Clodagh struggles to fully understand herself, or the city she calls home. Urban isolation, the trials of modern life and the fleeting beauty found in Dublin marble every scene of this novel. Somewhere is a raw and intimate portrait of a woman balancing on the edge of survival, seeking meaning and love amid isolation and addiction.
Clodagh finds herself adrift after leaving her partner Seamus. Navigating addiction, the harsh realities of a housing crisis, and relationships pushed to the brink, this is a story of her attempts to reconnect with herself, and those closest to her, in a gritty, vividly rendered contemporary Dublin.
Weaving from place to place and person to person - past friends, fellow users and her worried mother Sylvia - Clodagh struggles to fully understand herself, or the city she calls home. Urban isolation, the trials of modern life and the fleeting beauty found in Dublin marble every scene of this novel. Somewhere is a raw and intimate portrait of a woman balancing on the edge of survival, seeking meaning and love amid isolation and addiction.
Reviews / Votes
Somewhere is a compassionate portrait of addiction, family and love in the shadowy parts of contemporary Dublin. Beautifully written and compulsively readable, it is also full of hope. I absolutely loved it. -- Juliana Adelman Beautifully crafted, devastating and human. O'Connor writes about addiction, its most despairing and miraculous moments, with utter compassion. -- Una Mannion Fresh, candid, and at times unbearably moving; O'Connor is a poet, and she brings that same sensibility to this, her first novel, with lyricism in every line. Perspective shifts seamlessly between each of the characters as they lose and find themselves on the streets of Dublin. A fine debut. -- Claire Gleeson Somewhere is a devastating portrait of lives on the margins of contemporary, crisis-ridden Dublin. Jessamine O'Connor's work has rare authenticity: there is truth in every sentence she writes. -- Eoghan Smith 'An assured piece of work ... O'Connor has written a compelling novel that not only sits within that important tradition but makes a significant contribution to it.' -- Paul Laughlin, Culture Matters 'A kaleidoscopic and impressive debut ... The air of Somewhere is filled with particles, with shards of lives spinning, turning, falling.' -- Neil Hegarty, Books Ireland Magazine '[O'Connor's] poetic sensibility is very much brought to bear in the narrative style of Somewhere ... She succeeds in making the reader feel deeply invested in the struggles, tragedies and successes of each vividly drawn character ... Painted with deep compassion and empathy.' -- Aisling Maria Cronin, Irish IndependentMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Dublin
Ireland
Dimensions
Height: 136 mm
Width: 216 mm
Thickness: 35 mm
Weight
462 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-84351-979-9 (9781843519799)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
Jessamine O'Conor is writer based in Sligo, Ireland. Her debut poetry collection Silver Spoon was published by Salmon Poetry (2020). The Opposite of Grieving (2023) was published by Nine Pens. She is also the founder of The Hermit Collective, a creative group that bring together pop-up shows of poetry, art, music, stories, and more.