The Mess We're In: A vivid story of friendship, hedonism and finding your own rhythm (Paperback) - Annie Macmanus

A book about finding home in a strange new place, and finding yourself when your life is a mess. The hotly anticipated second novel by the Sunday Times bestselling author of Mother Mother

'A heady mix of thrills and heartbreak . . . I enjoyed it so so much' GRAHAM NORTON

'Macmanus writes with remarkable verve and wisdom . . . She has created easily my favourite character of recent years' LOUISE KENNEDY

'What [Macmanus has] managed to do with London, and what London means to different generations of Irish people, is terrific, and deeply moving' RODDY DOYLE

I'm a Londoner now. I'm a voice in the noise. I'm ready.

It's the turn of the millennium and, landing in London with nothing but her CD collection and demo tape, Orla Quinn moves into a squalid Kilburn house with her best mate and a band called Shiva.

Orla wants to make music, but juggling two jobs and partying every night isn't helping. Back in Ireland her parents' marriage has crumbled, she's not speaking to her father, and her mother and sister are drinking too much.

While Orla's own dreams seem to be going nowhere, Shiva are on the brink of something big. But as the hype around the band intensifies, so does the hedonism, and relationships in the house are growing strained.

This is the story of a young woman thrashing through life, trying to find home in a strange new place. It's also a story about music: how it can break you down and build you back up again, and how to find your rhythm when all you hear is noise.

Praise for The Mess We're In:

'Bracingly lyrical' OBSERVER

'A dizzyingly good read' iPAPER

'The bygone heyday of indie rock pulses with authenticity' IRISH INDEPENDENT

'Such a gorgeous book . . . I absolutely ate up every word' AISLING BEA

'I'm so sad it's over. I could have read another sixty chapters . . . A fantastic read' JOANNE MCNALLY

'Beautifully painted, well set up and realistic' SARA COX


Praise for Mother Mother:

'A writer whose understanding and capturing of human nature comes as easily to her as breathing' CANDICE CARTY-WILLIAMS

'Writes with flair and confidence rarely seen in a debut' SINEAD GLEESON

'Tender, surprising, occasionally bleak, moving and delicate' IRISH TIMES

'A study of grief, addiction and what it means to be a mother' STYLIST

'Melancholy, beautifully unadorned prose' MAIL ON SUNDAY

About the Author

Annie Macmanus is an internationally renowned broadcaster, author, DJ, events
curator and more.

Her debut Sunday Times Bestseller novel Mother Mother was released in paperback this March to critical acclaim and her writing has featured in the Guardian, Irish Times and the Independent and regularly publishes articles via her own blog.
She produces her own podcast, 'Changes with Annie Macmanus', where she chats to writers, artists and fascinating people from all walks of life about changes they've faced.

Annie is a key music industry figure championing female and LGBTQ+ artists and
advocating for positive, inclusive change. She also runs the festival Lost & Found
in Malta, and can be seen on the biggest stages of music festivals around the UK
and the world, and in the DJ booths of the world's best clubs.

Annie has created a far-reaching presence rooted in quality, integrity, and the
authentic connections that unite us all as loyal fans.