Irish author Donal Ryan returns with a compelling follow-up to his acclaimed 2014 novel, exploring the socio-economic and cultural shifts in a small rural town over the past decade. His latest work, “Heart, Be at Peace,” recently released in paperback in the United States, revisits Nenagh, County Tipperary, and offers a multi-voiced narrative that captures the complex dynamics of a community grappling with change.
Set in 2025, the novel unfolds through the perspectives of 21 residents, including one who has died, each providing unique insights into the town’s evolving fabric. Central to the story is Bobby Mahon, a contractor who has experienced both professional success and personal challenges. In recent times, Bobby struggles with panic attacks triggered by the circulation of a compromising photograph from a stag party in Amsterdam. Additionally, he expresses deep concern about the presence of drug dealers in the area, operating from vehicles with blacked-out windows and threatening the safety of local children, including his own.
Among the diverse voices is Lily, a character who identifies herself as a “witch by training” and “prostitute by inclination.” She attributes her knowledge of folk magic to a Roma woman who settled in Nenagh years ago. Lily shares a close bond with her granddaughter, Millicent, with whom she spends time gathering wild herbs in nearby meadows. However, Millicent has recently become involved with Augie Penrose, a local drug ring leader, and Lily fears the relationship will have dire consequences.
The novel delves into the experiences of longstanding residents and newcomers alike, including those from Eastern Europe, highlighting varying viewpoints on identity, belonging, and survival in a town marked by economic hardship and social complexity. Through its ensemble cast, the narrative portrays a community that is both worn down and resilient, weaving together moments of humor, sorrow, and candid realism.
“Heart, Be at Peace,” which earned Ryan the Orwell Prize in 2025 for political fiction, can be read independently of the author’s earlier work, “The Spinning Heart.” Together, the two novels provide a layered examination of rural Ireland’s ongoing struggles and transformations in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis.