Skin, Paper, Stone - Softcover

'Skin, Paper, Stone is a deceptively simple novel that packs a punch. Robinson writes with warmth and understanding, giving the reader a bird's-eye view of a modern, post-boom Galway through a diverse and credible cast of characters... Another Galway-affiliated writer comes to mind when reading her work. As with Nuala Ní Chonchúir's most recent novel The Closet of Savage Mementos, Skin gives a convincing version of modern Ireland through the eyes of an insightful woman narrator. The cities of Galway and Dublin come alive in these books. The respective protagonists, Stevie and Lillis, are fully fleshed out, realistic representatives of modern Irish women. Likeable and honest, they share secrets with the reader that they are afraid of sharing with other characters. Themes of motherhood, creativity and past pains are common to both books. Romantic relationships ring true and sex scenes are well handled.' --The Irish Times

'Brilliantly written, this is a superb take on the apathy wrought by recession in Ireland. Insightful and compelling.' --Irish Examiner

'Máire T. Robinson's début novel sensitively and warmly charts the trials and tribulations of growing up in modern day Ireland...Engaging dialogue is punctuated by hypnotic descriptions of the landscape with Robinson's narrative gliding through the landscape of Ireland s Galway the seemingly endless Galway rain, the churning river and the Atlantic breezes... an engaging début from a promising new Irish voice.' --For Books' Sake

Stevie O'Dwyer moves to Galway following a relationship breakup looking forward to a fresh start in a new city as she begins her study of ancient stone carvings called sheela-na-gigs. The last thing she expects is to fall in love. However, she meets Joe Kavanagh, a dispirited artist who has lived in Galway for years. He dreams of escaping Galway and starting a new life in Thailand as a tattoo artist, but he is stuck in a rut of procrastination. Despite their differences, Stevie and Kavanagh begin a passionate affair. As Stevie travels around Ireland and tries to unravel the mystery of the lewd pagan figures, the sheela-na-gigs begin to affect her in strange ways. She sees them in her dreams and starts to hear their voices. The sheela-na-gigs have an impact on Kavanagh too. Haunted by their images, he becomes inspired to paint again. Violence, drugs and anorexia threaten to throw their paths into tragedy. Can they overcome the challenges presented and build something together or will they be torn apart or worse?