Holding Her Breath A Novel
Holding Her Breath A Novel by Eimear Ryan, published by Mariner Books on June 13, 2023, is a 256-page literary work that explores themes of family life, friendship, and personal identity. The story follows Beth Crowe, a former competitive swimmer and granddaughter of a renowned Irish poet, as she navigates her university experience while grappling with the shadows of her family’s tragic past. With her Olympic dreams behind her, Beth seeks to redefine herself outside of swimming, forming connections with her peers and uncovering hidden aspects of her family’s history.
Readers will find a narrative rich in emotional depth and humor, as Beth’s journey leads her to a secret relationship with an older postdoctoral researcher and a quest to learn more about her grandfather, Benjamin Crowe. This quest takes her into uncharted territory, revealing truths about her family’s legacy that have long been obscured. The novel intricately weaves together elements of coming-of-age and literary exploration, set against the backdrop of contemporary Ireland, making it a thought-provoking read for those interested in the intersections of ambition, grief, and complicated love stories.
Official synopsis Publisher
“A joy to read. … Emotional, clever, and humorous, Holding Her Breath will engross readers with its academic atmosphere and family drama.” — Booklist
A moving and “whip smart” (Sunday Telegraph) debut novel, following a former competitive swimmer and granddaughter of a famous Irish poet as she comes of age in the shadow of her family’s tragic past, perfect for fans of Sally Rooney, Lily King’s Writers & Lovers, and Elif Batuman’s The Idiot.
Recommended by Glamour * The Millions * Literary Hub * PopSugar
When Beth Crowe starts university, she is haunted by the ghost of her potential as a competitive swimmer. With her Olympic dreams shattered after a breakdown, she is suddenly free to create a fresh identity for herself outside of swimming. Striking up a friendship with her English major roommate, Beth soon finds herself among a literary crowd of people who adore the poetry of her grandfather, Benjamin Crowe, who died tragically before she was born. Beth’s mother and grandmother rarely talk about what happened to Benjamin, and Beth is unsettled to find that her classmates may know more about her own family history than she does.
As the year goes on, Beth embarks on a secret relationship with an older postdoctoral researcher–and on a quest to discover the truth about Benjamin and his widow, her beloved grandmother Lydia. The quest brings her into an archive that no scholar has ever seen, and to a person who knows things about her family that nobody else knows.
Holding Her Breath is a razor-sharp, moving, and seriously entertaining novel about complicated love stories, ambition, and grief–and a young woman coming fully into her powers.
Author
Publisher
Topics
FAQ
What is “Holding Her Breath A Novel” about?
Who is the author of “Holding Her Breath A Novel”?
When was “Holding Her Breath A Novel” published?
What is the ISBN for “Holding Her Breath A Novel”?
What are the book details (language, pages, edition)?
