This is a sweet, subtle portrait of a young Irish girl finding herself in Dublin. It’s very much a first novel, but you can see the characteristics of Donoghue’s style that would deepen and grow in sophistication with her future work. As always, Donoghue knows how to depict the tumbled emotions and inner workings of a woman’s heart with a fresh, distinctive voice that’s somehow utterly familiar. I was this girl once, alone and confused and trying to figure it all out, and Donoghue captures her journey perfectly.