Skintown

Reviews

A supercharged riot of a debut novel, zinging with confidence and intelligence. Ciaran McMenamin writes brilliantly. His characters are achingly vivid and entirely credible and the pacing is Olympian. Horrifying and hilarious, Skintown is a compulsive read. McMenamin writes with verve and honesty. . . it lures the reader into the madcap night and then delivers a hairpin twist. Exhilarating. . . . A TNT-powered head-rush of a novel soaked in the smell of burning tyres and set to the MDMA beat of 1990s rave culture. . . . Vinny is a hugely witty companion. I read the first page of this and was immediately hooked. It's rattlingly written, hugely immersive, funny too. Adored it. McMenamin strikes a skilled balance between acerbic wit and the portrayal of absolute desolation. . . . In vivid colour, he brings to life one unforgettable, game-changing night out. . . . McMenamin delivers truths with the speed of flying bullets and the impact leaves you wounded. At the same time, the hilarity of the novel keeps you hurtling onward, racing to the end. This is an absolute page-turner and an impressive burst out of the traps for first-timer Ciaran McMenamin. A cracking read. Fizzing with energy . . . as poignant as it's funny. Scurrilous, saucy, turbo-powered, unputdownable. If you loved The Glorious Heresies and are looking for the next terrific Irish author, here be Ciaran McMenamin. . . . a cross between Trainspotting and Douglas Coupland, . . . sprinkled with a warm enveloping humour and compassion. It is that good. Expand reviews