Sugartown by Caragh Maxwell

Sugartown by Caragh Maxwell

'Caragh Maxwell is a writer to watch.' Irish Examiner 

'Unsparing and affectionate.' Anne Enright, author of The Wren, The Wren

'Utterly compelling, authentic and raw.' Una Mannion, author of A Crooked Tree

For fans of Sally Rooney and Megan Nolan comes a remarkable new Irish debut about growing up and moving backwards

What do you do when you've ruined your life? You go home to your mother, if you're lucky enough still to have one. Saoirse Maher wouldn't recommend it. 

Leaving home wasn't supposed to be temporary. When she moved to London, Saoirse was leaving Ireland behind for good, and with it her messy, broken family. But it turns out that starting again isn't as easy as she imagined, and when her five-year relationship goes south, Saoirse finds herself out of options. And so here she is, trudging back to her mother Máire's house up a side road on the outskirts of Irish civilisation. 

Except the world she comes back to is nothing like the one she left behind. Her mother has a new family, and everyone else seems to be moving on. But between the drinking, drugs, and an entirely healthy, not-problematic-at-all-thanks relationship with Charlie, there's plenty to distract her.

Don't look too closely, and everything's fine. Saoirse is just fine. 

'This is such an absorbing read; shocking and brutal at times, but incredibly tender at others. Fans of Megan Nolan or Niamh Mulvey will love it.' NIAMH HARGAN

'Unsparing and affectionate, this crackling debut tears through the landscape of the Irish midlands with rawness, candour and humour that will make Caragh Maxwell’s voice immediately known' Anne Enright, author of The Wren, The Wren

'Exquisite. The narrative beats with the thrum of the bass then devastates in tender, heartbreaking moments. Utterly compelling, authentic and raw, this is a stunning debut and Caragh Maxwell’s voice is one we should be hearing.' Una Mannion, author of A Crooked Tree

Caragh Maxwell is a writer living in Sligo town. She graduated from the Trinity College MPhil in Creative Writing in 2023, and her essays, poems and stories have been published in The Irish Times, The Cormorant and other publications. Her writing focuses on the self, memory, and womanhood. Sugartown is her debut novel, and was shortlisted for the 2025 An Post Irish Book Awards.