Nesting

Nesting follows Ciara, a young mother in Dublin, who bravely leaves her abusive husband, Ryan, taking her two daughters with her. With few resources and no clear plan, she escapes one afternoon, realizing that staying in her marriage is no longer an option. Faced with a broken housing system, inadequate support, and Ryan’s attempts to force her back, Ciara must navigate the uncertainty of raising her children in a hotel room while trying to rebuild her life.

Nesting is a powerful exploration of domestic abuse and the failings of a system that often leaves survivors struggling on their own. After escaping her abusive partner, Ryan, Ciara and her children are placed in a bleak, unsuitable hotel. Instead of offering safety, it feels like another form of confinement. This setting highlights the stark gap between the support survivors are promised and the harsh reality they face. Despite an impersonal and ineffective welfare system, Ciara’s determination to build a safer, better future for her children remains unshaken.

The author’s prose is both raw and deeply evocative, immersing readers in Ciara’s emotional turmoil, from her self-doubt and fear to her unwavering love for her children. Ryan’s presence lingers throughout the novel, a constant, shadowy force that underscores the long reach of emotional abuse. Through Ciara’s journey, the novel challenges traditional views of abuse, exposing its more insidious, invisible forms.

With honesty and compassion, Nesting delves into resilience, survival, and the quiet strength it takes to rebuild a life. It critiques the shortcomings of social safety nets while offering a message of hope. Ciara’s story is a reminder that even the smallest acts of defiance and the choice to move forward can be the first steps toward freedom.