“A collection of essays, frank and revealing, which make up a memoir telling the story of a woman’s life through her body and all the things that happen to it. It’s very well written, clever and moving.” Singer and writer Tracey Thorn on Constellations in The Times.
“Sinéad Gleeson has emerged as one of Ireland’s most brilliant writers in recent years, not to mention being an important curator of short stories (read The Long Gaze Back if you haven’t already). This new essay collection reflects her passionate interests: “the body, feminism, nature, art, illness, landscape, film, ghosts, colour, motherhood, ways of seeing”. According to the writer, each essay plays with its form, reflecting the content in surprising and thought-provoking ways, mixing stories, prose and poetry with insight and originality.” Hot Press, Top Literary Titles to look out for in 2019.
“Her writing is eclectic and consummately delivered. Gleeson excels at combining personal stories with wider themes, and here she looks at everything from her own personal stories of illness, loss and grief to the lives of famous artists and writers. In a publishing world of bluster and hype, thoughtful and subtle writing like Gleeson’s is very welcome.” Writer Doug Johnstone in The Big Issue.
“Sinéad Gleeson’s collection brings together passionate, transcendent essays about bodies and art, ghosts and womanhood, grief and motherhood, and what it’s like to live in a body that fails you. Like the perfect title indicates, this is a glistening ensemble of pieces that live on their own but, all together, form a powerful emotional universe.” ‘New Writers We’re Excited to read in 2019’, Marta Bausells, Elle
“Sinéad Gleeson’s luminous collection spirals out into the universe, a constellation of essays that engage, entertain and enlighten. Gleeson reveals a fierce passion and humanity in her first original work, which hums with intelligence and an empathy for life which hums with grit, graft and glory. This is a beautiful work, stitched with stories, prose and poetry.” Donal O’Donoghue, RTÉ Guide
“In the tradition of Virginia Woolf, Frida Kahlo and Susan Sontag, Gleeson turns pain into art, particularly in a set of 20 poems based on the McGill Pain Index. The book feels timely and is inventive in how it brings together disparate topics to explore the possibilities and limitations of women’s bodies.” Rebecca Foster, Bookish Beck.
“Constellations wades in beyond a comfortable depth on matters of life, death, love, art and womanhood, with poeticism, sensuality and piercing honesty. I’ve had a sneak peek and, well, you’re in for a treat. ” Hilary A. White, Irish Independent
“Already one of NetGalley UK’s favourite books of 2019, This intimate, intelligent and incredibly moving memoir-in-essays is one of the finest pieces of writing you’ll read this year.” NetGalley Spotlight choice