Mary's Feminist Fiction Reading Group

Welcome to our Feminist Fiction Reading Group! A place to discover and enjoy a range of titles and themes lovingly hand picked by Mary. Woven together by feminist perspectives and critique, we will be discussing everything from unsung classics to contemporary literary fiction.

This November I thought there would be no better book to sink our teeth into than than the eerily gothic and beautifully written Hagstone by Sinèad Gleeson. This fantastic debut novel explores the darker sides of human nature, the mysteries of faith and the power of women in commune. From one of the most exciting new contemporary voices in Irish fiction, we are in for a hauntingly good read this month!

For artist Nell, the island is her home and the source of inspiration for her art. The Iníons, a reclusive community of women, consider it a place of refuge and solace in nature. All the islanders live there alongside strange murmurings that seem to emanate from the depths of the landscape, a sound that is almost supernatural – a Summoning, as the Iníons call it.

One day, a letter from the Iníons arrives at Nell’s door. They invite her to produce an artwork celebrating their Samhain anniversary and Nell cannot resist accepting. But as the fateful day approaches, Nell senses tensions building beneath the placid surface of the commune. Will she be able to unearth the truth behind the events unfolding around her? And how far will someone go to protect what they hold most dear?

‘Wild, singular…gripped me from the start’ Douglas Stuart

'Passionate, wild, hugely atmospheric' David Nicholls

‘Intelligent, probing’ Maggie O'Farrell

Shortlisted for the John McGahern Book Prize 2025

Longlisted for the 2025 Dublin Literary Award

There’s no need to prepare or pressure to contribute at all - just bring your lovely self - but do feel free to mention a particular passage or character that you enjoyed during your reading.

Each entry place costs £5, fully redeemable as a voucher towards a copy of the book. We hope you’ll join us for some great conversation, and perhaps some themed baked goods!