Open, Heaven
Open, Heaven by Seán Hewitt, published by Penguin Random House on April 24, 2025, is a literary exploration of first love and self-discovery. Set against the backdrop of a small village, the narrative follows James, a teenager yearning for a life beyond his current circumstances. As he grapples with familial expectations and his emerging desires, his world shifts when he meets Luke, a charismatic newcomer with his own complexities. This edition spans 240 pages and is presented in English.
Readers will find a poignant depiction of the bond that develops between James and Luke as they navigate their feelings and the challenges of adolescence. The story delves into themes of friendship, love, and the quest for autonomy, capturing the essence of coming-of-age experiences. With its focus on LGBTQ+ relationships and the intricacies of young love, Open, Heaven offers a reflective journey that resonates with those familiar with the struggles of growing up in a small-town setting.
Official synopsis Publisher
TWO BOYS MEET. EVERYTHING CHANGES.
THE INSTANT IRISH TIMES BESTSELLER
‘An exquisite tale of first love’ SARAH PERRY, GUARDIAN
‘Heart-rending… Propulsive’ FINANCIAL TIMES
‘God’s Own Country meets Heartstopper‘ BRANDON TAYLOR
‘I loved it… Beautiful’ FERDIA LENNON
On the cusp of adulthood, James dreams of another life far away from his small village. As he contends with the expectations of his family, his burgeoning desire – an ache for autonomy, tenderness and sex – threatens to unravel his shy exterior.
Then he meets Luke. Unkempt and handsome, charismatic and impulsive, he has been sent to live with his aunt and uncle on a nearby farm. Luke comes with a reputation for danger, but underneath his bravado lie anxieties and hopes of his own.
With the passing seasons, the two teenagers grow closer and the bond that emerges between them transforms their lives. James falls deeply for Luke, yet he is never sure of Luke’s true feelings. And as the end of summer nears, he has a choice to make – will he risk everything for the possibility of love?
* A Guardian, Irish Times and BBC Book for 2025 *
READERS LOVE OPEN, HEAVEN
‘My favourite book of the year’
‘Gorgeous. I was completely transported’
‘The intoxicating rush of first love. Five stars!’
‘Breathtakingly beautiful. A story that stays with you’
‘Heart-breaking but also triumphant. A must-read’
‘The most truthful novel about love
that I have read in a long time’
‘It made my heart hurt in the best ways’ HELEN MACDONALD
‘Hewitt writes with such tenderness and grace’ ANNE ENRIGHT
‘Open, Heaven does what the very best coming-of-age stories do’ MICHAEL MAGEE
‘A gorgeous ache of a novel’ COLIN WALSH
‘Seán Hewitt is the real deal’ BENJAMIN MYERS
Open, Heaven was an Irish top ten bestseller w/c 28 April 2025
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