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.
The Coast Roadby Alan Murrin was published June 4, 2024. Harper Collins provided an early galley for review.
It is always a good sign when the prologue of a book has a curious hook that reels the reader in. That is what I found here with Murrin's debut novel. It made me want to get more of the story.
Also, I learned something from this novel - that divorce was unlawful in Ireland from 1937 to 1996 (which was when the 15 Ammendment to their Constitution was signed into law). It is funny how one can take for granted something that is ever-present in one's view only to realize that it wasn't always the case elsewhere. Murrin's story revolves around several marriages in various states of dysfunction, and the changing stance on divorce casts a shadow over the entire narrative.
All in all, this is a very engaging character-driven tale about realistic yet flawed people. Murrin is an author I'll be watching for more in the future.
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