The Coast Road

A Novel

By: Alan Murrin

Narrated by: Jessica Regan

“I loved this novel. All the female characters are complex and fascinating, and full of anger and hope. I found it an addictive read.”—actor Gillian Anderson

A poignant debut novel about the lives of women in a claustrophobic coast town and the search for independence in a society that seeks to limit it.

Set in 1994, The Coast Road tells the story of two women—Izzy Keaveney, a housewife, and Colette Crowley, a poet. Colette has left her husband and sons for a married man in Dublin. When she returns to her home in County Donegal to try to pick up the pieces of her old life, her husband, Shaun, a successful businessman, denies her access to her children.

The only way she can see them is with the help of neighbour Izzy, acting as a go-between. Izzy also feels caught in a troubled marriage. The friendship that develops between them will ultimately lead to tragedy for one, and freedom for the other.

Addictive as Big Little Lies with a depth and compassion that rivals the works of Claire Keegan, Elizabeth Strout, and Colm Tóibín, The Coast Road is a story about the limits placed on women’s lives in Ireland only a generation ago, and the consequences women have suffered trying to gain independence. Award-winning Irish author Alan Murrin reminds us of the price we are forced to pay to find freedom.

©2024 Alan Murrin (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers

Touched my Heart

I loved this book. I could not put it down. I felt engrossed in the lives of the characters. It was sad but it was real. My overwhelming feeling was admiration for their survival and the emotional cost of a time gone by. I loved the Irish narration and am searching for similar books/stories. A great debut novel.

Captivating and authentic

Captivating story telling. I can't imagine Murrin got into the feelings of midlife women and then put them down on paper. Sublime ending.

Brilliiant, engaging and moving.

This is an very absorbing novel about three women with quite different personalities, whose lives become intertwined, in small town rural Ireland. Murrin really understands the Irish world of the 1990s and his writing is brilliant. The story is engaging, moving, and about real world situations in Irish society during that era. Jessica Regan does an excellent job in narrating the novel and really brings all of the characters alive. I highly recommend both this Audible novel and the original written novel.

Touching and very human

I like the very real characters, and how you can dislike nearly all of them but root for them to do better as partners and parents. all them are flawed and a bit fated to their circumstances. The end was perfectly done.

Fabulous

Beautifully written, this a story of flawed relationships and flawed people, doing their best to take care of their families. The author did a great job of taking you back to a recent but different time in Irish history. It's not a happy ever after type of story and that's the point. The end, particularly the final sentences, resonated deeply. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey, savored the book, and look forward to more by this talented author.

Great listen

The characters are written with such depth in this compelling start set in the Donegal region of Ireland in the mid 90s. Beautiful but sad, I enjoyed every word. Looking forward to more from this author.

Wow! What a compelling story!

It was compelling, I couldn’t stop listening,. I hope Allan Murrin writes many more books.

Restriction of societal norms for women

I didn’t dislike it. It was sad. It was actually well written and performed. The characters were beautiful and tragic.

Wonderful characters and narration

This turned out to be a very thoughtful exposition of politics and social issues, using small town Ireland. The interplay of lives and choices made for a compelling listen—- with great narration!

So sad

Well written book but oh my goodness I found it to be rather depressing! I’m conflicted.