Book Description 

In Michigan, Sarah’s childhood was defined by fear and silence. As a teenager, she saw a chance to escape and took it. Now, in 1999, she is an artist living on the rugged coast of Donegal, Ireland, where she is known as Saoirse (pronounced Sear-sha)—a name that sounds like the sea and means freedom in the language of her adopted country. And free is precisely how she is finally beginning to feel. Her partner and two beloved daughters are regular subjects of her paintings, and together they have made the safe home she always longed for. But Saoirse’s secrets haunt her. No one must learn of the identity she has stolen in order to survive; they cannot know of the dangers that she crossed an ocean to escape.

When her artwork wins unexpected acclaim at a Dublin exhibition, the spotlight of fame threatens to unravel the careful lies that hold her world together. Journalists and admirers begin to ask questions about the mysterious artist from Donegal, and she fears the unwanted publicity will expose all that she has done.

Saoirse is an evocative, suspenseful exploration of the intimate relationship between art and life and the lies we tell ourselves in the name of reinvention.

My Review 

Oh gosh, what a lovely book. It starts off towards the end of the overall narrative with the announcement of the art award. However, in order to understand the ramifications of this prize, the reader must journey back in time almost a decade to meet the elusive young woman who becomes Saoirse Byrne. 

From there, the narrative unfolds mostly chronologically through the 1990s, although there are occasional flashbacks to help solidify Saoirse’s plight and why she was left with very little choice to do what she did. Although Saoirse does eventually find happiness, her path is not an easy one… and then the announcement of the award sets in motion the unraveling of everything Saoirse has built. 

While I don’t want to give anything away, I will vaguely say that certain people being put in their place filled me with such righteous triumph. The absolute nerve of some people! 

I would absolutely recommend Saoirse. This is a beautiful story of triumph over adversity and a fight for survival and finding peace after chaos. I am definitely looking forward to reading more from Hurtubise in the future. 

I received a digital ARC of this book from Celadon/NetGalley.