This book is really long - about 150 pages too long. It can feel a little bit jumbled at times, like it’s struggling to define itself and settle on a point to explain. However, I think that may be the point? it tackles issues of identity through politics, gender, sexuality, religion and at the end of the day we’re just people. You see the graphic horrors of the troubles through the eyes of ordinary people from all walks of life but it can feel a little slow at times. I liked how real of felt though, Irish literature seems to have a way of creating real and honest characters.