In her second novel, Megan Nolan ventures into darker territory than her acclaimed debut Acts of Desperation, crafting a haunting narrative that explores the devastating ripple effects of trauma, poverty, and social isolation. Set primarily in 1990s London and Ireland, Ordinary Human Failings weaves together multiple perspectives to tell the story of the Green family – Irish immigrants whose lives are upended when 10-year-old Lucy is suspected of a violent crime.
Plot and Structure
The novel opens with a devastating incident: three-year-old Mia Enright is found dead near her home in a London council estate. Suspicion quickly falls on Lucy Green, a withdrawn child from an Irish immigrant family living in the same building. Through the lens of ambitious tabloid reporter Tom Hargreaves, we begin to unravel the complex web of circumstances that led to this tragedy.
Nolan masterfully structures the narrative through multiple timelines and perspectives, gradually revealing the deep-rooted trauma and generational dysfunction that shaped the Green family. The story moves between 1990s London during the immediate aftermath of Mia’s death, and earlier periods exploring Lucy’s mother Carmel’s teenage pregnancy, the family’s migration from Ireland, and their struggle to build a life in England.
Writing Style and Literary Merit
Nolan’s prose is lean yet evocative, carrying echoes of writers like Anne Enright and Claire Keegan in its unflinching examination of Irish family life. Her greatest strength lies in her ability to render psychological complexity with remarkable precision:
“She had learned that it was a better use of energy to suppress her urge toward restless movement – the fidgeting and repetitive jerks and self-injury – than to let it go untethered. Using the same force which drove it, she boiled the urge down to a tight hard gem inside herself.”
However, some readers may find the multiple perspective shifts occasionally disorienting, and certain plot threads feel somewhat underdeveloped compared to the central narrative.
Themes and Social Commentary
Class and Migration
The novel offers a searing critique of class divisions in 1990s Britain, particularly through Tom’s cynical exploitation of the Green family for tabloid fodder. Nolan expertly captures the casual cruelty of social prejudice against Irish immigrants.
Family and Inheritance
At its heart, this is a story about the ways trauma passes through generations. Through characters like Carmel, Richard, and John Green, Nolan explores how patterns of dysfunction perpetuate themselves despite our best intentions.
Truth and Memory
The unreliability of memory and the subjective nature of truth are central preoccupations. Lucy’s incomplete recollection of events mirrors larger questions about how we construct and maintain our personal narratives.
Character Development
The novel’s greatest achievement lies in its complex character work, particularly:
Carmel Green: A masterfully drawn portrait of a woman grappling with the consequences of teenage pregnancy and maternal ambivalence
Lucy Green: A haunting depiction of childhood trauma and isolation
John Green: A nuanced portrayal of masculine stoicism and emotional repression
Tom Hargreaves: Though occasionally verging on caricature, his ambitious amorality effectively drives the plot
Critical Analysis
Strengths
Profound psychological insight
Elegant prose style
Complex exploration of intergenerational trauma
Nuanced treatment of class and social issues
Areas for Improvement
Some secondary plot threads feel underdeveloped
Occasional pacing issues in the middle section
Certain characters could be more fully realized
Comparisons and Context
Readers who enjoyed Nolan’s debut Acts of Desperation will find similar themes of self-destruction and complicated relationships, but handled with greater maturity here. The novel also bears comparison to works like Claire Keegan’s Small Things Like These and Anne Enright’s The Gathering in its exploration of Irish family dynamics and buried secrets.
Impact and Significance
While not perfect, Ordinary Human Failings represents a significant evolution in Nolan’s craft. It tackles ambitious themes with sophistication and demonstrates her growing confidence as a novelist. The book’s exploration of class, migration, and family trauma feels particularly relevant to contemporary discussions about social inequality and mental health.
Final Verdict
Despite some minor flaws, Ordinary Human Failings is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that confirms Nolan’s place as one of Ireland’s most promising young writers. Her unflinching examination of human nature’s darker aspects is balanced by deep empathy for her characters’ struggles.
Recommendations for Readers
This book is ideal for readers who:
Appreciate psychologically complex family dramas
Enjoy Irish literary fiction
Are interested in class dynamics and social issues
Don’t mind darker themes and moral ambiguity