A well-crafted story with plenty to appreciate. The pacing, characters, and plot twists kept me interested throughout. I'm looking forward to seeing how readers respond once it's released!

This is a brilliant book that tackles a huge amount of issues thoroughly and thoughtfully while being wrapped into a tight and captivating plot

Multi-generational novels are my kryptonite. This is beautifully written, well-paced and moving. The story of these women, living through different experiences in Ireland is gorgeously told.

Having recently read and enjoyed Mulvey’s short story collection I was excited to read her debut novel and it did not disappoint. I love a multi generational novel and this one focuses on three generations of Irish women, and the various ways the Catholic Church has influenced their lives in myriad ways. The book moves around a lot in time but I found myself glued to it, probably feeling most captivated by Dolores’ story. The author’s sharp wit shines through her writing and I thoroughly enjoyed the read.

The Amendment immerses readers in the intricate lives of three generations of women, weaving a captivating narrative of love, freedom, and the enduring influence of the past.

As Nell and Adrienne anticipate the arrival of their baby, Nell grapples with unresolved issues from her past, prompting her to seek therapy. Unable to ignore her history as a mother and her strained relationship with her mother in Ireland, Nell realises she can no longer evade the truths that haunt her.

Forced to confront her past, Nell embarks on a journey back to Ireland, delving into the complexities of her teenage years during the tumultuous era of the early 2000s. The narrative also delves into her mother Dolores's struggles with the women's rights movement in 1983, revealing the interconnectedness of their lives and the deep-rooted secrets that bind them.

Set against the backdrop of a changing Ireland, from the Celtic Tiger era to the tension of social movements, The Amendments paints a vivid portrait of the farms, suburbs, and towns that shape the characters' lives. Ultimately, Nell must confront the truth she has long avoided, unearthing the hidden secrets that have shaped her family's legacy.

Thank you so much to the author - Niamh Mulvey and the team at Picador and Pan Macmillan for sending out the book to be reviewed!

A multigenerational story of Irish women growing up and struggling with their relationships with the Catholic Church and the guilt, shame and pain that comes with it.

It's a relatively miserable book, but what coming of age book set in Ireland isn't? It promoted discussion amongst our bookclub so in that sense it was a good book, but I can't say that I enjoyed reading it.

Niamh Mulvey's "The Amendments" is an insightful and deeply moving novel that explores themes of reconciliation, forgiveness, and the ongoing impact of past mistakes on present lives. Set against the backdrop of contemporary life, the narrative follows a group of characters as they confront their past decisions and seek to make amends in various aspects of their personal and professional lives.

Mulvey's writing is sharp and empathetic, adeptly capturing the internal conflicts and emotional turmoil of her characters. "The Amendments" is structured around the different paths each character takes towards healing and redemption, making for a compelling and layered story. This novel is perfect for readers who appreciate rich character development and stories that deal with the complexities of human relationships and the difficult journey towards personal growth.

Set in dual timelines, The Amendments follows the experiences of three women’ - Dolores, Nell and Martina as they find their way as Irish women, whether at home or abroad. With the 8th Amendment woven into the fabric of the novel, reproductive rights are discussed overtly and also run as a background theme. As a non-Irish reader, I was struck by how Catholicism, whether embraced or rejected, affects every aspect of life in the community. The characters feel real and are written with nuance and sensitivity. Recommended.

A timely novel which demonstrates the evolution of women's rights in Irish society and the unspoken struggles experienced by women in a patriarchal, religious society.

In her first novel, Niamh Mulvey has continued to show the brilliance that she previously demonstrated in her short story collection 'Hearts and Bones'. 'The Amendments' is a multi-generational story that is both thought-provoking and heart-rending. I've been reading a lot of books by Irish novelists in recent years and, for me, Mulvey has firmly established herself as one of the best Irish novelists to watch.

Niamh Mulvey can do no wrong and is one of the most exciting voices in Irish literature at the moment. I'll read anything she puts out!

The Amendments by Niamh Mulvey

This is a multigenerational story focused on women with the main focus being on Dolores and her daughter Nell, who is about to welcome a baby with her partner Adrienne. Nell must face up to her past in order to move forward. It deals with serious issues that face women and also shows how Ireland has changed over time and is not a light fluffy read but it is gripping and very impressive for a debut novel. Definitely worth a read this Summer.
The Amendments is available now.
Thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

This is a very timely novel, given the erosion of women's reproductive rights that seems to be happening across the world right now. Mulvey's prose draws you into the narrative and the story unravels exactly at the pace it needs to to keep you gripped. Nell is a fascinating character but I also loved that we got Dolores' perspective as well, plus a little from her mother. I was also really interested in the representation of religion and how it was (and is) woven into the makeup of Ireland. An impressive debut - Mulvey is one to watch.

Set in dual timelines, The Amendments follows the experiences of Dolores and Nell - mother and daughter - as they grapple with what being an Irish woman means to them, bodily autonomy, faith and motherhood.

I thought this was a really thought-provoking and at times moving and powerful read and it’s one of the few novels I’ve seen tackle the topic of the Eight Amendment with such nuance, taking in so many different opinions while not declaring any as wrong and really understanding that it’s a topic that causes pain, confusion and really isn’t a black or white decision for a lot of people - especially in a country steeped in religion for so long.

We first meet Nell as we learn that her partner Adrienne is expecting a baby and it becomes clear that Nell is at therapy trying to face up to some issues and trauma she has held onto since she was a teenager. We also learn that as a teenager, Nell was involved in a religious group in her small town and was quite involved in a ‘sisterhood’ of faith.

We also follow Nell’s mother Dolores as a young woman in the 80s as she leaves the town to study in Dublin, and ends up falling in with some ‘women libbers’ who introduce Dolores to the idea of repealing the Eight Amendment and the many arguments there are around pro choice vs pro life.

Dolores and Nell are both complicated characters with so much hidden and forced down feelings between them that I just loved reading about them and their dynamic so much - as well as how they related to everyone around them. At first I wasn’t sure about the Hermanas as it does come across quite cult-y but I also understood how for a teenage Nell somewhere that fostered sisterhood like that could be something great.

Martina herself was also a sad character in the background of Nell’s story - almost a tragic figure and maybe I would have liked a bit more time with her.

I’m not entirely sure what my expectations of this were, but it certainly strayed from them, though not in a bad way. A multi-generational tale about Irish women was always going to be a winner for me: the social commentary woven in with the humanness of desire and shame and longing was so well-executed. I was particularly fond of Brigid — through her, Mulvey gave a voice to the group of women who are often overlooked in ‘feminist activism’, those who said activists often brand as needing saving from themselves. Each generation of woman reflected the changing politics of Ireland at each epoch, though not necessarily in the way you’d expect; that keeps you, as the reader, on your toes which I absolutely loved.

The slow trickling in of the twists were perfectly timed and the twists themselves had me sobbing (though the PMDD hormones likely contributed heavily there). The non-linear timeline, though occasionally difficult to follow, worked so well in weaving the past and present together. A beautiful story, deeply flawed but loveable characters and absolutely gorgeous prose — hard to believe it’s a debut.

The Amendments is a tale about strong Women, about the Catholic Religion, and the 8th Amendment in Irish law. It is a tale about guilt, and penance, and belief.. It is a tale about love, and family, and friendships, This is a tale about trauma, and mental health, and finding your own path...Read it!

I really enjoyed this multi-generational saga that examines the complicated history of religion in Ireland.

Prose that is easy to read yet thought provoking. This story follows the lives of Dolores, Nell and Martina as they face rheir own challenges with faith and women's rights throughout several generations.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and Pan Macmillan | Picador in exchange for a free and honest review.

This book follows two protagonists Dolores and Nell (her daughter). In 1982, the story follows a young Dolores who moves to Dublin to be with her boyfriend. While there she meets Annie (a pro-choice feminist ) and they form a friendship which changes her views on women's issues. In the present day Nell wants to create a family with her partner and is in therapy to sort out her deep rooted issues from her teenage years that has left her feeling guilt ridden and worthless. All this is set to the background of two amendments that occurred in Ireland to do with issues regarding women's health (right of choice, morning after pill). This was a very hard hitting book with pertinent topics, such as; mental health, relationship between guilt - religion, culture of silence, mother-daughter relationships etc. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it highly.

A thoroughly enjoyable read, one which will stick with me as it examined the social history of Ireland through the many characters and perspectives.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read this arc.

"The Ammendments" by Niamh Mulvey offers a multigenerational tale that traverses the complexities of family, motherhood, and the evolving landscape of Ireland. As Nell and her partner Adrienne prepare for the arrival of their baby, Nell finds herself grappling with unresolved issues from her past, including her strained relationship with her own mother and the weight of a long-held secret. Mulvey skillfully weaves together timelines spanning from the early 2000s to 1983, exploring the shifting dynamics of Irish society as it grapples with issues of faith, women's rights, and societal change.

However, while "The Ammendments" delves into important themes and offers a nuanced portrayal of Irish generationalism, some readers may find the novel lacking in its depiction of the Irish state compared to the portrayal of Southern Ireland. The novel's focus on the personal struggles of its characters may overshadow broader insights into the political and cultural landscape of Ireland. Additionally, while the narrative unfolds across multiple timelines, some transitions between past and present may feel disjointed or abrupt, potentially hindering the flow of the story.

Despite these drawbacks, "The Ammendments" remains a poignant exploration of family dynamics and the enduring impact of secrets across generations. Mulvey's prose is evocative and emotionally resonant, drawing readers into the lives of her characters as they navigate the complexities of love, loss, and identity. For those interested in intimate family dramas set against the backdrop of Irish history, "The Ammendments" offers a compelling and thought-provoking read.