Exciting Times: Longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2021

‘ The book of the summer … Kept me rapt until the final page ‘ THE TIMES

‘ A sharp, smart, witty modern love story. I loved it ‘ David Nicholls, author of ONE DAY

‘ More than lives up to the hype … Likely to fill the Sally-Rooney-shaped hole in many readers’ lives ‘ IRISH TIMES

‘ Droll, shrewd and unafraid - a winning debut ‘ Hilary Mantel, author of WOLF HALL

‘ I’ve been pushing Exciting Times on everyone I know. Some of Dolan’s pithy observations of her characters are the best I’ve read since Edward St Aubyn ‘ OBSERVER

‘ A frankly sensational book ‘ Pandora Sykes on THE HIGH LOW

‘ I n the tradition of Dorothy Parker, Joan Rivers and Nora Ephron … I found myself purring with pleasure. …This is comic writing at the highest level’ Craig Brown, DAILY MAIL

When you leave Ireland aged 22 to spend your parents’ money, it’s called a gap year. When Ava leaves Ireland aged 22 to make her own money, she’s not sure what to call it, but it involves:

- a badly-paid job in Hong Kong, teaching English grammar to rich children;
- Julian, who likes to spend money on Ava and lets her move into his guest room;
- Edith, who Ava meets while Julian is out of town and actually listens to her when she talks;
- money, love, cynicism, unspoken feelings and unlikely connections.

Exciting times ensue.