Preview
  • The Coast Road

  • A Novel
  • By: Alan Murrin
  • Narrated by: Jessica Regan
  • Length: 7 hrs and 52 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (40 ratings)

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The Coast Road

By: Alan Murrin
Narrated by: Jessica Regan
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Publisher's summary

“The last great book I read . . . an early proof of debut novelist Alan Murrin’s The Coast Road, about women in ’90s Ireland negotiating the complexities of marriage in a country where divorce is illegal. It will no doubt be a bestseller.”—actor Gillian Anderson

A poignant debut novel about the lives of women in a claustrophobic coast town and the search for independence in a society that seeks to limit it.

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.

Addictive as Big Little Lies with a depth and compassion that rivals the works of Claire Keegan, Elizabeth Strout, and Colm Tóibín, The Coast Road is a story about the limits placed on women’s lives in Ireland only a generation ago, and the consequences women have suffered trying to gain independence. Award-winning Irish author Alan Murrin reminds us of the price we are forced to pay to find freedom.

©2024 Alan Murrin (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers
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What listeners say about The Coast Road

Average customer ratings
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    4 out of 5 stars

So sad

Well written book but oh my goodness I found it to be rather depressing! I’m conflicted.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fabulous

Beautifully written, this a story of flawed relationships and flawed people, doing their best to take care of their families. The author did a great job of taking you back to a recent but different time in Irish history. It's not a happy ever after type of story and that's the point. The end, particularly the final sentences, resonated deeply. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey, savored the book, and look forward to more by this talented author.

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4 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Touching and very human

I like the very real characters, and how you can dislike nearly all of them but root for them to do better as partners and parents. all them are flawed and a bit fated to their circumstances. The end was perfectly done.

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1 person found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Wonderful characters and narration

This turned out to be a very thoughtful exposition of politics and social issues, using small town Ireland. The interplay of lives and choices made for a compelling listen—- with great narration!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Restriction of societal norms for women

I didn’t dislike it. It was sad. It was actually well written and performed. The characters were beautiful and tragic.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Wow! What a compelling story!

It was compelling, I couldn’t stop listening,. I hope Allan Murrin writes many more books.

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