Wild Houses: One of the Observer's Debut Novels of 2024

The remarkable, funny and thrilling debut novel from the acclaimed, prize-winning author of the short story collections, Young Skins and Homesickness

As Ballina prepares for its biggest weekend of the year, the simmering feud between small-time dealer, Cillian English, and County Mayo's fraternal enforcers, Gabe and Sketch Ferdia, spills over into violence and an ugly ultimatum.

When the reclusive Dev answers his door on Friday night he finds Doll - Cillian's bruised, sullen, teenage brother - in the clutches of Gabe and Sketch. Jostled by his nefarious cousins, goaded by his dead mother's dog and struck by spinning lights, Dev is unwillingly drawn headlong into the Ferdias' revenge fantasy.

Meanwhile, seventeen-year-old Nicky can't shake the feeling something bad has happened to her boyfriend Doll. Hungover, reeling from a fractious Friday night and plagued by ghosts of her own, Nicky sets out on a feverish mission to save Doll, even as she questions her future in Ballina.

The beautifully crafted, thrillingly-told story of two outsiders striving to find themselves as their worlds collapse in chaos and violence, Wild Houses is the long-anticipated debut novel from award-winning and critically-acclaimed short story writer, Colin Barrett.

PRAISE FOR HOMESICKNESS
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'A mesmerizingly powerful book, full of the strangeness and beauty of life'
SALLY ROONEY, author of NORMAL PEOPLE

'A masterwork - by turns hilarious and heart-breaking...

What fierce, tender stories. Totally unforgettable'
BRANDON TAYLOR, author of REAL LIFE

'Homesickness is one of the finest collections I've read this year. There is so much life in these pages, captured through the sharpest observations but the lightest touch.

Superb'
DOUGLAS STUART, author of SHUGGIE BAIN

'Barrett is already one of the leading writers of the Irish short story... He just kills it'
ANNE ENRIGHT, author of THE GATHERING

'Addictive, stylish and violently funny stories, with riches on every page - an outstanding collection'
KEVIN BARRY, author of NIGHT BOAT TO TANGIER

'Edgy, sharp and utterly original, Homesickness is an utterly compelling collection and Barrett is meticulous'
ELAINE FEENEY, author of HOW TO BUILD A BOAT