A DEBUT novelist from Blackrock is inviting local book lovers to attend Roe River Books on Friday, June 14 to celebrate the launch of her new novel Ravelling.
Mother-of-four Estelle Birdy told the Dundalk Leader that she has always had a love of reading and writing.
“I attended St Oliver Plunkett’s in Blackrock and later went to St Vincent’s Secondary School,” she said.
“By and large I enjoyed my education. I had some great teachers and had lots of friends that I am still close with.
“I studied Law in UCD but I love reading books and writing; I am also a book critic now. In my younger years, I sold jewellery out of a suitcase on Grafton Street.”
She added: “My first proper job was with American Airlines where I worked as a sales agent. I also worked for Citibank and in recruitment.
“I eventually did an MA in Creative Writing. I had considered training to be a primary school teacher but decided to focus on writing instead.
“It was a real privilege to be accepted on to the course. It helped me a lot to be able to write the Ravelling.”
Estelle continued: “The story is set in The Liberties, near where I live. I’m happy with the final draft. It’s never going to be perfect but that’s the point of the book.”
Ravelling charts the fortunes of a group of five young men, living in and around The Liberties area of Dublin 8. It opens as they skip school to attend the funeral of a friend – a homeless man who died by suicide.
The story focuses on five main characters: Deano, a weed-smoking hurling star who lives with his aunt in an about-to-be-demolished flat; Hamza, a Pakistani Muslim atheist and precocious academic; Oisín, empathetic to the point of policing how others speak; Congolese nature lover Benit, and Karl, a maybe-gay fashionista who dreams of something better while immersing himself in his art.
The book covers themes such as parties, their Leaving Certificate, racism, poverty, drugs, violence and Garda harassment, reflecting a multi-cultural Dublin.
Estelle Birdy will be in Roe River Books on Friday, June 14 from 7pm discussing her work with Mark Corcoran from Culture Club and attendees.
