Academy Street

By Mary Costello,

Book cover of Academy Street

Book description

AS HEARD ON BBC RADIO 4 BOOK AT BEDTIME

WINNER OF THE IRISH BOOK AWARDS NOVEL OF THE YEAR 2014

SHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA FIRST NOVEL AWARD 2014

Tess Lohan appears to be a quiet child. But within lies a heart of fire. A fire that will propel her from…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Academy Street as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

This is one of my favorite novels and one that I can’t stop recommending. There isn’t a word wasted in this intimate and evocative novel which is based between Ireland and New York.

The protagonist, Tess Lohan, was born in Ireland in 1944. Through Tess, we are given a ringside view of Irish life in the 40s, the harshness and stoicism, the distance between family and that which is unsaid. Tess takes us from Ireland to New York City in 1962 and the challenges of loneliness and joy of an Irish immigrant.

We see her struggling as a single mother…

Want books like Academy Street?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 66 books like Academy Street.

Browse books like Academy Street

Book cover of Cutting for Stone
Book cover of The Glass Palace
Book cover of The Joy Luck Club

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,187

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in New York City, Ireland, and stoicism?

New York City 1,143 books
Ireland 308 books
Stoicism 77 books