Bookseller Reviews
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A five-star delightful debut
Confessions is one of those books that has everything you’d want in a family saga.
A propulsive plot? Tick. Brilliantly sketched characters? Tick. Multi... READ MORE
Confessions - a quiet clap of thunder
Catherine Airey is going to take the literature world by storm. I have not, for years, read a family saga so intricately crafted and refined. The story of ... READ MORE
Notable Debut
did not expect to like this,but it was very readable.Focused on 3 generations of women in one family,switching between rural Ireland and New York.Each gene... READ MORE
Immersive storytelling with a captivating voice
This was utterly captivating and I basically inhaled it. Confessions is simply stunning as a debut and a brilliant contemporary voice I am so excited to re... READ MORE
An intricate series of tragedies laced through beautiful mundanity
' "We're only as sick as our secrets."
This was something...said to me, throughout my childhood. Secrets could eat a person up. That much I knew. It was... READ MORE
An Incredible Debut
Confessions begins with Cora Brady, whose father has just died in the North Tower on 9/11. Her mother passed away a few years previously and as Cora begins... READ MORE
A stunning debut
A really excellent debut! Thank you so much to Penguin for sending me a reading copy.
Confessions spans from the 1970s to the 2020s and covers multiple... READ MORE
Can I just read this again for the first time?
“She herself is a haunted house” - Angela Carter
If you can judge a book not just by its cover but by the opening quotation, I would be immediately divi... READ MORE
A Compelling Story Of Two Sisters And Their Secrets
I didn't think this would be my kind of read but then I read about the two sisters at a boarding school and they have to choose the right path to save them... READ MORE
When her father is killed in the North Tower on 9/11, Cora Brady finds herself on the cusp of adulthood and alone. With her mother long dead and no other family in the city, she finds herself adrift. And so when a letter arrives, from a long-lost aunt in Ireland offering her refuge, a new home, she has little choice but to go. What follows is a remarkable story of family, loss and three women across generations who share the same irresistible pull to the past - for better or for worse.
Synopsis
'I was at a time in my life where I got to thinking more about people's choices – how everything would be different if just the slightest decision changed...'
It is late September in 2001 and the walls of New York are papered over with photos of the missing. Cora Brady’s father is there, the poster she made taped to columns and bridges. Her mother died long ago and now, orphaned on the cusp of adulthood, Cora is adrift and alone. Soon, a letter will arrive with the offer of a new life: far out on the ragged edge of Ireland, in the town where her parents were young, an estranged aunt can provide a home and fulfil a long-forgotten promise. There the story of Cora's family is hidden, and in her presence will begin to unspool…
An essential, immersive debut from an astonishing new voice, Confessions traces the arc of three generations of women as they experience in their own time the irresistible gravity of the past: its love and tragedy, its mystery and redemption, and, in all things intended and accidental, the beauty and terrible shade of the things we do.
Publisher information
- Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
- ISBN: 9780241675182
- Number of pages: 480
- Dimensions: 223 x 144 x 41 mm
- Weight: 586g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
View allConfessions
September 11th, 2001 and Cora suddenly finds herself orphaned as her father was working in one of the towers of the World Trade Centre. For a while she is ... READ MORE
Confessions
I was a bit unsure going into this book, mainly due to it not really being my genre and also as it is considerably longer than most books I read. But, and ... READ MORE
A compelling and powerful story
This is a story that tells the story of three generations of women from one family. Set in New York and Donegal, Ireland we learn the fates of sisters Mair... READ MORE
Highly engaging and hard to put down. A book of love, loss, hope, and secrets.
This book had me, from the very first pages right through to the end and I loved it. On the first page is a quote from Angela Carter's The Bloody Chamber ... READ MORE
My confession: I couldn't connect with this novel
My confession; I couldn’t connect with this novel.
Cory Brady’s father was killed when the Twin Towers fell. A traumatic experience that leaves her an o... READ MORE
Compelling novel about family secrets
A really compelling read, if somewhat disjointed in places. It moves around between characters and time which meant I had to pause and work out who is who ... READ MORE
Wow this is a debut
I was asked to review by NetGalley
Wow this is a debut! - this story explores love, and loss from various perspectives and different points in time.An e... READ MORE
A beautiful, complicated debut about sisterhood, loss and connection
When Maire leaves Burtonport to study art in New York, she leaves behind her sister, Roisin, and her childhood sweetheart, Michael. Told over a number of d... READ MORE
A Thought Provoking Story
Cora is living in NYC with her Father who works in the Twin Towers it is September 11th 2021 her Mother had died years ago so now she is an orphan .An Aunt... READ MORE
Wonderful Debut.
Thank you to the publishers for this early review copy.
This is a fabulous debut, absolutely loved the writing.
A story set in America and Ireland, loved... READ MORE
A compelling debut novel
Confessions is a compelling debut novel from Catherine Airey. The story follows the livers of three generations of women, and is set between New York and a... READ MORE
three generations of Irish women
As the title suggests, this book is about acknowledging the things in our past that we might find embarrassing or shameful, about the reluctant acceptance ... READ MORE
Grief, love......
Irish writers are thriving and the reason is that they are so blinkin good. Confession’s is Airey’s debut and another novel on my 2025 list.
It starts on... READ MORE
Stunning Debut
Confessions is one of those novels which leaves you thinking that there is no way this could be a debut - it is so accomplished, so beautifully written, en... READ MORE
Morbid and repetitive...
I had high hopes of this book as it is one of the Waterstones shortlist for new writers and it is based in west Donegal, an area I know well
I usually ... READ MORE
A wonderful debut!
I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Catherine Airey’s book Confessions didn’t end up on some prize lists this year. It’s so well written, engaging, unputdown... READ MORE
Brilliant book
The debut novel stands out as truly exceptional, offering a powerful portrayal of three generations of women within an Irish family living in New York. The... READ MORE
Confessions
New York, September 2001
"The voices became screams when the North Tower fell too. I turned off the TV and closed my eyes, covered my ears with my hands... READ MORE
Easy 5 star read!
What a fantastic debut novel. I’m always a bit nervous for a chunkier book but I feel like I flew through this and if you love your complex characters this... READ MORE
A heartbreaking and devastating debut
This book was definitely not what I expected and I am still gathering my thoughts on it, but I know one thing, it will stay with me for a very long time. T... READ MORE
Three generations of secrets ...
Ireland has always produced wonderful writers and Catherine Airey is a new one to watch, albeit she moved to Ireland to write this. Her writing is precise,... READ MORE
A gripping read
This is a tome covering three generations of women, their relationships and traumas. It starts with 9/11 where Cora realises her father has died in the ter... READ MORE
Stories and Secrets
Stories and secrets.
Catherine Airey’s debut novel, Confessions is a propulsive read. Compulsively, I picked it up at every opportunity, eager to discov... READ MORE
Family saga
An interesting and ambitious debut novel spanning three generations and 2 countries . It roves to and fro in place and time tackling some serious issues
Strange, Interesting and great
This book is set in the USA and Ireland.
It starts in New York in 2001 at or around the time of the twin Towers attack.
The story is effectively the stor... READ MORE
Great debut!
Loved this debut novel, out in the UK 23rd January.
Cora is left alone in NYC in Sept 2001 when her father dies in the Twin Towers. She travels to Irela... READ MORE
Strong debut novel
Confessions is a very strong debut novel that I enjoyed reading. It opens in New York in 2001 when Cora realizes that her father has died and she decides t... READ MORE
Really worth adding to your reading list.
What a great start to my 2025 reading.
Confessions is primarily the story of two sisters, Maire and Roisin from County Donegal whose lives change dramatic... READ MORE
Beautiful writing
This beautifully written, panoramic novel was an absolute joy to read. I was engrossed by the characters and loved the breadth of storytelling. I liked the... READ MORE
Superb debut novel spanning three generations
'Confessions' is a superb debut novel which powerfully depicts the lives of three generations of women in an Irish family living in Donegal and New York.
... READ MORE
Intergenerational debut novel with a lasting impression
Confessions is an interesting, complex debut novel telling the story of three generations of women set in New York and rural Ireland from the 1970s onwards... READ MORE
A highly engaging family saga masterfully delivered!
I love a book that just dives straight in. This one opens with a bang, literally. We meet Cora living in NYC with her father. It is September 11th, 2001. C... READ MORE
A Must Read
I love it when a book from a debut author grabs me in, forcing me to read.
This book is too good to be able to write a suitable review. It has to be rea... READ MORE
Too many issues
I liked the beginning of this, but then it seemed to change to a completely different story. It took me ages to work out who the characters were and how th... READ MORE
A Compelling Debut
Confessions captivated me from the very first page. I can thing of very few books that have moved me so much in the opening chapters. Confessions is a de... READ MORE
Average
I found this book okay but in parts very boring and thought it was unnecessarily long winded.
I loved the start of the story and the the Ireland connectio... READ MORE
Good debut novel
This book is quite something for a debut novel. It is so full of depth and feeling. The writing seems to evoke a real sense of the feelings between all t... READ MORE
I think I may have found a favourite of 2025 already and it’s a Debut!!
I think I may have found a favourite of 2025 already and it’s a Debut!!
A Debut… I can’t quite believe that this is Airey’s debut Novel. Her writing, a... READ MORE
Five stars!
Catherine Airey’s Confessions is a hauntingly intricate story of family, secrets, and the enduring pull of the past. Spanning New York City post-9/11, 1970... READ MORE
Terrific Read
It is late September in 2001 and the walls of New York are papered over with photos of the missing. Cora Brady’s father is there, the poster she made taped... READ MORE
Transatlantic family revelations
Confessions by Catherine Airey
Cora Brady’s world is turned upside down on 11th September 2001, when her father Michael does not return from work at The... READ MORE
Bound to be one of the most discussed debuts of 2025
I would not be surprised if this very accomplished, multi-generational debut novel becomes something of a hit in 2025 and I would also not be surprised to ... READ MORE
impressive debut
This was a very impressive debut, a couple of bits didnt really work for me - the video game and the very convoluted family tree - but the story was a page... READ MORE
Wow, what a tour de force!
Wow, what a tour de force!
Confessions is a multi-generational tale that follows four women from an Irish-American family - Cora, Máire (her mother), Ró... READ MORE
What a debut!
I felt so transported to a nostalgic time with this book, whilst my life growing up differed in many ways to the young women in this book, the periods set ... READ MORE
Enjoyable Read
A well accomplished debut.
Told in part as diaries/memories from the POV of four women, across three generations.
A captivating book, though not for ... READ MORE
What a debut!
I felt so transported to a nostalgic time with this book, whilst my life growing up differed in many ways to the young women in this book, the periods set ... READ MORE
An interesting and compulsive read
An intriguing story starting with a girl seeing a picture in the paper of her father leaping from one of the Twin Towers on 9/11. Very realistic descriptio... READ MORE
A wonderful story
A wonderful story about three generations of women, all affected by the oldest woman's mental illness which reverberates through their lives. The story is ... READ MORE
An Ambitious and Rewarding Read
I went into Confessions interested to read a book from a debut novelist with no expectations other than the hope that I would enjoy the reading experience.... READ MORE
Will choice change your destiny?
This was an original story with a plot that kept you guessing. It follows the fate of three generations of women from the same family and moves between Do... READ MORE
Brilliant debut
Brilliant debut novel - I was hooked from the “poor teenage decision to drop acid the morning of 9/11” onwards. Telling the story of generations of Irish /... READ MORE
Absolute page-turner
Confessions by Catherine Airey
Published by Penguin General Uk
Publication Date 23/1/25
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was invited to read this and was so glad that ... READ MORE
Gripping Family Saga
Confessions is the quite amazing debut novel by Catherine Airey. It tells the stories of 3 generations of women whose lives are affected by incidents in sm... READ MORE
An amazing debut, full of feelings and emotions. I loved it
This is an amazing debut novel. It covers many sensitive issues as it moves from New York to Ireland and back again through three generations of women. I f... READ MORE
Well written debut novel
A well written debut novel that touches on some very emotive subjects such as 9/11 and dementia. At times a bit slow and definitely not an uplifting novel.... READ MORE
An outstanding debut novel
Many thanks to Net Galley and Penguin General Uk for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.
This is an outstanding debut novel which I thoroughly e... READ MORE
Surely a future prize winner
I thoroughly enjoyed this multi-generational story set in Ireland and New York and featuring an extraordinarily fertile family of women.
There are sec... READ MORE
A brilliant and ambitious family saga
The novel starts in New York in September 2001. Cora Brady’s father worked as an accountant in the World Trade Centre and has not returned from work after ... READ MORE
A worthwhile read
Confessions follows three generations of women and their struggles with love, loss, and family secrets. The story begins in New York after 9/11, where Cora... READ MORE
well written debut
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for an early read of this debut novel from Catherine Airey. 'Confessions' spans three generations of women,two cou... READ MORE
A long, intricately plotted, luxurious read
The blurb for Catherine Airey’s Confessions promises an involving tale of two Irish sisters, one of whom emigrates to New York to take up an art school sch... READ MORE
Great storytelling!
I absolutely loved the journey that I was brought on by this book. Although there were times when I was jolted from one reality to another, I enjoyed the t... READ MORE
Amazing
Oh my goodness; it’s rare to find a title with three strong and powerful female voices. Each distinct and with a story to tell and this debut is an astoni... READ MORE
Compelling
I read this book courtesy of NetGalley. An amazing debut novel from Catherine Airey. I really became very immersed in the beginning which sees teenage Co... READ MORE
A powerful read about family and belonging
For me, Confessions is a book about family and place. It's about belonging and knowing who your tribe are - whether you're related by blood or not. As so m... READ MORE
Complicated and clever
When her father is killed in the 9/11 attacks, Cora is left parentless and adrift. Sixteen years old, a school truant and involved with an unsuitable man ... READ MORE
New York, Ireland and a Screaming Sect! A talented debut!
This is a sprawling debut novel about three generations of an Irish family set in New York and the original family home in rural Ireland. It opens with Cor... READ MORE
A strong debut
Confessions is a multi-faceted story of 4 Irish women - 2 sisters, a daughter and granddaughter. I enjoyed it but, mainly due to the disjointed way it is w... READ MORE
Amazing
Oh my goodness; it’s rare to find a title with three strong and powerful female voices. Each distinct and with a story to tell and this debut is an astoni... READ MORE
A three generational saga covering many topics relevant to today
Beginning in New York September 2001, we meet Cora whose father is among the many thousands missing after the horrors of 9/11, leaving her an orphan. The ... READ MORE
A bit disjointed
I was sent an advance proof copy of Confessions by Catherine Airey to read and review by NetGalley. While I enjoyed reading about the lives of the charact... READ MORE
Took me out of my comfort zone
I’m not sure I should be reviewing this book. I found it a confusing read. It lost me when the other points of view took up the narrative. The style defini... READ MORE
Satisfying plot, beautiful prose
I was absorbed from the very first page - really compelling story that unspools through the generations and perfectly captures that feeling of family lore ... READ MORE
Accomplished family saga
Confessions is a very accomplished debut from Catherine Airey. It is a family saga that originates with two sisters: Róisín and Máire. Both are creative bu... READ MORE
Seriously addictive reading!
Confessions opens with a moment of raw emotion on the fateful morning of September 11, 2001, in New York City. 16-year-old Cora Brady skips school, anxious... READ MORE
Deserves the hype
After she loses her father in the North Tower in the 9/11 disaster the now orphaned Cody travels to Ireland to live with her mother‘s sister about whom she... READ MORE
Extraordinary and intense
An extraordinary, intense and accomplished exploration of multiple generations of women who live between New York and rural Ireland.
There are so many ... READ MORE
Unusual original read
This is a very unusual read.
On one hand, it's the story of three generations of women. It's also a history of the decades that it covers and the two are ... READ MORE
A Masterpiece!
Confessions by Catherine Airey
Three generations of women from the 1980s to the present day, moving from Ireland to New York and back to Ireland, this b... READ MORE
Instant favourite
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher, who had no editorial oversight over this review.
Last January I kicked off my year of reading with Pa... READ MORE
Great character study
I really enjoyed this book. The story is slowly woven together through different times and places. It is written beautifully. The characters are rich and f... READ MORE
a gorgeous literary debut
4 stars
This book was beautifully done. The story was told with such an intricacy that l've not found in a lot of other books. I really enjoyed seeing the... READ MORE
I was in turn intrigued, engrossed, confused, curious... An extraordinary novel
I felt rather like this novel ate me up and spat me out. At first I was intrigued, then engrossed, confused, curious, fascinated, more confused then engros... READ MORE
A very engaging read
In September 2001 the world changes and it certainly does so for 16-year-old Cora Brady, who like many others posts pictures of her missing father, Michael... READ MORE
Thoroughly engaging
An incredible novel and even more incredible that it is a debut novel. It is so well crafted with interesting, unique characters and their individual stori... READ MORE
Disappointing
It's September 2001 during the aftermath of the attacks of 9/11 and Cora Brady is feeling it in a very personal way as her father is missing. He is her onl... READ MORE
Screaming
Screaming.
What tentative threads throughout the novel. I had to remind myself who was who and got the family line sorted, the only one I was not absolute... READ MORE
Family Saga
A brilliant family saga, I really enjoyed this book. I connected with the characters and was totally invested in what happened to them. Very well written, ... READ MORE
Informative
This was a difficult book to follow as it jumped around a lot but having said that when I read a bit that went on for awhile it was very interesting.
Mothers, daughters, ghosts
Confessions is a book with smoke in its lungs and ghosts in its teeth. It doesn’t walk in a straight line. It spirals, slips between timelines like a woman... READ MORE
Loved it
I loved this a lot
Got confused a bit the going back & forth in time the different characters
But i just finished and i feel good about having read it
I... READ MORE