On this episode we speak to author Niamh Mulvey about her upcoming debut novel The Amendments. Many of you will know Niamh from her short story collection Hearts and Bones. (Head back to episode 6 of the pod if not to hear our interview with her shortly after H&B’s publication.) With The Amendments (published by Picador on April 11th) Niamh takes the titular story from the collection and crafts it into what is a beautifully wrought  novel.  Set between London and Ireland The Amendments spans the lives of three generations of women, mapping the waining impact of powerful institutions on their lives. Although the plot is at stages particular to Ireland, there is a universal quality to the struggles Nell, Dolores and Brigid meet that is all too familiar. Niamh’s is a rare voice. In a world that so often only speaks with unthinking certainty she writes bravely with rare nuance and  compassion. The result is an unsparing,  human and ultimately hopeful novel that asks us to embrace the world in all its contradictions and ambiguity. The Amendments is a huge recommend and one to watch through-out the year. If you’re close to any of these lovely places Niamh will be speaking there on these dates, so head along: Foyles, Charing Cross Road 20th April (with Sinéad Gleeson and Elaine Feeney) Phlox Books, London 24th April           (with Tomiwa Owolade) Waterstones, Manchester 25th April  The West Kirby Bookshop, 26th April  @fieldzine / www.fieldzine.com