Stations by Louise Kennedy

Stations is a captivating and hauntingly emotional novel which I found myself having to finish in one sitting. The characters of Róisín and Red are so well drawn they come to life from the first page. From their very first meeting as teenagers in Ireland to living in a squat in London as young adults, the novel follows their lives and their relationship with each other as well as their families.

There is a love story here but, much like their lives, it is messy and complicated and flawed. Kennedy’s writing is honest and raw and the novel deals with some very difficult subject matter including addiction and abuse, but it never feels overwhelmingly dark as these issues are balanced with humour, kindness and humanity. The character development is particularly strong, with Róisín transforming from a teenage schoolgirl angry at the world to a more inward-facing adult, dealing with regret and the consequences of decisions made long ago.

The book has stuck with me for days after I finished reading it, thinking of Ro and Red’s story. This is a well-written and highly emotional novel, which is recommended for readers who value strong characters and stories full of heart and humanity. Released in hardback on 24 September 2026.

Richard