Three years into their relationship, the 20-something Dubliners Celine and Luke still “did not, as a rule, ‘share feelings.’” Celine’s “family never taught her how,” so she measures the partnership by the clutter they’ve accumulated together — it would be so hard to undo. “Marriage will never happen between us,” Luke says to her as they lie in bed after a party. “And that’s not a problem necessarily. It would be silly to stop when it’s going well. But we’re not going to end up together.” One page later, he proposes.

Introduction to the author and book

Naoise Dolan, born 14 April 1992) is an Irish novelist. She is known for her novels Exciting Times (2020) and The Happy Couple (2023).

Dolan was born in Dublin, Ireland. She experienced homophobic bullying in school. A college debater, she co-convened the Irish Mace competition in 2015/16.She identifies as queer.

Dolan obtained an English degree from Trinity College Dublin in 2016 and later a Master’s in Victorian literature from Oxford University. Her desire to become a writer began while she was at Trinity College. It was during her time as a student that she first came to popularity, as the writer and illustrator of humorous feminist cartoons published to her blog.

In 2016, after finishing university and being unable to find work in Ireland, she moved to Singapore to work as a TEFL teacher. Later that year, she moved to Hong Kong. She has also lived in Italy. Since 2018, she has lived in London intermittently. Due to the climate crisis, she no longer travels by plane.

At age 27, Dolan was diagnosed with autism. She has been open about her diagnosis in interviews and on social media.

The Happy Couple 

Meet the wedding party:

THE BRIDE AND GROOM

Celine and Luke are meant to get married and live happily ever after. But Celine’s more interested in playing the piano, and Luke’s a serial cheater.

THE BRIDESMAID

Phoebe, Celine’s sister, is meant to finish college and get a real job. Instead she pulls pints, lives with six flatmates, and has no long-term aspirations beyond smoking her millionth cigarette.

THE BEST MAN

Archie, Luke’s best friend and ex-boyfriend, is meant to move up the corporate ladder and on from Luke. Yet he stands where he is, admiring the view.

THE GUEST

Vivian, Luke’s other best friend and other ex, was meant to put up with Luke’s bullshit when they dated. But she didn’t. And now she is contented, methodically observing her friends like ants.

The Happy Couple was released in the United Kingdom on May 25, 2023. The novel revolves around a couple dealing with their flawed relationship days before their wedding told from different perspectives. The Guardian gave it a mostly positive review describing it as “funny and direct” while musing, “Dolan more often uses her wit simply to parcel out insights and provocations among her cast rather than using them to build personalities we really care about.” In a positive review The Telegraph lauded Dolan’s skill as a writer noting, “This book confirms her as an artful comic novelist with a distinctive signature style.”

“There is no reason to assume that my fiction is autobiographical, particularly not when I have said many times that it isn’t; and it is well-established that this assumption happens more often to women.” (Naoise Dolan)

‘A brilliant contemporary novel’ (Colm Tobin)

‘So witty, observant and wise’ (Marian Keyes)

‘I am fully in awe of Dolan’s talent’ (Douglas Stuart)

‘A dazzling follow-up to Exciting Times’ (Katherine Heiny)

‘Beautiful’ (Pandora Sykes)

What do you think of this novel?

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We aim to post a book of the month on here at the start of every month, so why not encourage others to read them and get some ‘book’ discussions going on within the community.

Once you’ve read this month’s book, and after the end of APRIL please, use the comments box below to say what you think about it; what you liked and didn’t like. What about the writing style, pace, mood, characterisation, use of description, the plot … ? Or get in touch with your comments and opinions by email to (rhossilihwb.cymru@gmail.com).

Vicki James & Helen Sinclair

The next book for May 24 will be …

Act of Oblivion by Robert Harris