The herbalist - Niamh Boyce

'The most entertaining yet substantial historical novel since Joseph O'Connor's Star of the Sea' Irish Times

The Herbalist is the electrifying first novel from Niamh Boyce, winner of the 2012 Hennesssy XO Award for New Irish Writing. it is a devastating and emotional story of yearning and obsession in 1930s rural Ireland.

'A vividly imagined tale of love, lust and longing ... It is also an important book, which adds a rich fictional version of Irish history to a stark period of Irish life ... a compelling read with a cathartic ending that deserves a wide readership. It remains authentic and moving to the end' Sunday Business Post

'Niamh Boyce's compelling female characters push against the rigid social parameters of 1930s Ireland, yearning for the light of the outside world, which comes in the shape of a stranger trading in herbs, cures, complications and danger.' Dermot Bolger

'Boyce's subject matter may be dark, and she treats it with the seriousness it deserves, but she writes with a lightness of touch not often seen in the genre ... just as the readers of The Herbalist share the women's fear as we read, we share their wonder and excitement as well. This is a hugely impressive and wonderfully assured debut novel.' Irish Times

'An elegant morality tale about the inescapable strictures of women's lives ... Her publisher describes her as "a dazzling new voice". I cannot disagree' Sunday Times

'It reminds me of a whole raft of great Irish writers ... There's a lot going on that is slowly revealed and the writing is beautiful ... A serious new literary talent' TV3

'I read The Herbalist with great pleasure. The characters jump alive from the page and I had to read fast to find out what happened, totally gripped.' Patricia Ferguson, author of The Midwife's Daughter

'Builds to a thematically satisfying, even exciting, conclusion' Irish Independent

'Comparisons to Edna O'Brien and Pat McCabe are more than justified. That said, Boyce has a unique voice and sensibility, one that's entirely her own.' Image

'A fascinating and revealing snapshot of life in 1930's Ireland and in particular a woman's lot in life. I suffered, raged and celebrated with the exceptionally well developed characters and cancelled all engagements in order to finish the book' Goodreads.com

'A riveting story that electrifies and dazzles with wonderful imagery, exposing the shadowy side of Irish life' Writing.ie

'The book is packed with emotion. I wasn't far in on the night I found myself an emotional wreck, sobbing my heart out and needing to put the book away. It didn't stay away for long, I was hooked and I needed more' Afterthefinalchapters.com

Niamh Boyce's background is in visual arts and she now works as a librarian. She started writing just four years ago. She lives in the Irish midlands with her family.