In her debut novel “Nesting,” Roisín O’Donnell delivers a raw and unflinching portrayal of one woman’s journey to break free from an emotionally abusive marriage. The title is both metaphorical and literal—examining how we build our lives, how we protect our children, and what happens when the very nest meant to shelter becomes the site of harm. Set against the backdrop of Ireland’s severe housing crisis, this timely novel weaves together themes of motherhood, identity, and the invisible chains of coercive control that can bind a person more effectively than physical restraints.
O’Donnell, previously known for her short story collections, demonstrates impressive control of pacing and emotional tension in this longer format. While the novel’s execution occasionally falters, it ultimately succeeds in creating an immersive and powerful portrait of a woman reclaiming her agency against formidable odds.
The Narrative: A Fragile Flight to Freedom
The story centers on Ciara Fay, a mother of two young daughters (with a third child on the way) who makes the snap decision to leave her controlling husband Ryan. This seemingly impulsive act opens the novel with striking immediacy, plunging readers into the chaotic aftermath of Ciara’s choice. O’Donnell structures the novel across seasons—Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, and back to Summer—charting Ciara’s physical and emotional journey through a full cycle of change.
After fleeing her home in Dublin’s Glasnevin neighborhood, Ciara finds herself trapped in a bureaucratic nightmare. With limited funds and no immediate support system (her mother and sister live in Sheffield, England), she and her children are placed in emergency hotel accommodation. The Hotel Eden—ironically named—becomes both sanctuary and prison, a liminal space where Ciara attempts to rebuild while constantly facing the threat of Ryan’s manipulation.
O’Donnell’s prose shines in her descriptions of motherhood’s sensory intimacy:
“She thinks of the clearing in Beloved. A sacred, reclaimed space where people danced. Pulling away a choke of weeds, in the far corner of the garden, she finds an overgrown rockery. Cheery gnomes. Fairies with chipped wings. In another overgrown corner, she finds strawberry plants with jagged, heart-shaped leaves.”
Through carefully constructed scenes that build tension like a slowly tightening spring, we witness Ciara’s struggle to maintain her resolve in the face of Ryan’s relentless gaslighting and emotional warfare. The novel’s climax—where Ryan abducts their newborn son—delivers a genuinely heart-stopping sequence that crystallizes the novel’s exploration of control, fear, and maternal protection.
Strengths: Emotional Veracity and Social Commentary
“Nesting” succeeds most powerfully in three areas:
Authentic portrayal of coercive control – O’Donnell meticulously chronicles the insidious nature of emotional abuse, showing how Ryan’s manipulation tactics—from love-bombing to isolation, gaslighting to intimidation—create a web that ensnares Ciara’s sense of reality. The novel excels at depicting the confusing oscillation between moments of apparent normality and terrifying psychological cruelty.
Vivid depiction of institutional failure – The bureaucratic maze Ciara must navigate represents a scathing indictment of systems ostensibly designed to help vulnerable women. O’Donnell demonstrates how housing scarcity, financial dependency, and legal complexities create nearly insurmountable barriers for those attempting to leave abusive relationships.
The texture of motherhood – The novel captures the visceral experience of mothering young children with remarkable sensory detail. From the “swirl of steaming casseroles” to “congealed grease” and “caked-in shit,” O’Donnell doesn’t romanticize motherhood but renders it in all its exhausting, messy glory—while also capturing moments of transcendent connection.
The supporting characters provide crucial texture. Particularly effective are Cathy, Ciara’s neighbor in the hotel who becomes her first real friend in years; Diego, the Brazilian maintenance worker whose gentle presence offers the possibility of healing; and Sinéad, Ciara’s fierce but frustrated sister whose protectiveness manifests as both support and pressure.
Weaknesses: Pacing Issues and Character Development
Despite its significant strengths, “Nesting” struggles with several issues:
Uneven pacing – The first two sections (Spring and Summer) move with deliberate slowness, creating an effective sense of claustrophobia. However, the later sections accelerate dramatically, with major developments—including Ciara securing housing and Ryan’s escalating behavior—receiving less development than they warrant.
Ryan’s characterization – While O’Donnell avoids the trap of making Ryan a one-dimensional villain, his moments of tenderness and vulnerability (particularly concerning the rescued crow nestlings) sometimes feel mechanically inserted rather than organic to his character. The result is a character whose psychological motivations sometimes read as plot-serving rather than authentic.
Structural repetition – The cyclical nature of abuse is mirrored in the novel’s structure, with similar scenes of tension, escalation, and temporary relief recurring throughout. While this effectively reflects Ciara’s experience, it occasionally creates narrative fatigue, particularly in the middle sections.
Social Context: Ireland’s Housing Crisis
One of the novel’s most compelling aspects is its integration of Ireland’s housing crisis as more than backdrop—it becomes almost a character itself, an oppressive force shaping Ciara’s choices and limiting her options. O’Donnell illustrates how economic vulnerability becomes another tool of control, both within Ciara’s marriage and within larger systems of power.
The Hotel Eden functions as a microcosm of contemporary Ireland, where “emergency accommodation” has become semi-permanent for many families. Through brief but revealing glimpses of other families in similar situations, O’Donnell broadens her lens to show the widespread nature of the crisis while maintaining focus on Ciara’s specific struggle.
Language and Atmosphere
O’Donnell’s prose balances lyrical moments with stark realism. Her background as a short story writer shows in her attention to small, telling details—the “lopsided halos” of a hen party, the way a child’s “elbows should be dimples,” the “raspberry syrup oozing between Sophie’s fingers.” These precise observations ground the narrative in sensory reality.
The novel also employs effective symbolism, most notably with the crow nestlings Ryan rescues. The parallel between these vulnerable creatures and Ciara’s children provides an understated metaphorical layer that enriches the text without becoming heavy-handed.
Final Assessment: A Promising Debut with Flaws
“Nesting” is a novel of considerable ambition and heart that doesn’t quite achieve all it reaches for. While its exploration of domestic abuse and systemic failure is powerful and nuanced, the narrative momentum occasionally stalls, and certain character developments feel rushed or underdeveloped.
O’Donnell demonstrates clear talent for creating emotional tension and rendering complex psychological states. The novel’s strongest sections—particularly Ciara’s initial flight and the climactic confrontation in the church—showcase a writer with keen insight into human relationships and social dynamics.
Strengths:
Authentic portrayal of emotional abuse and coercive control
Vivid, sensory prose that creates immediate emotional impact
Thoughtful integration of Ireland’s housing crisis
Nuanced exploration of motherhood
Weaknesses:
Uneven pacing, particularly in later sections
Some character motivations feel mechanically inserted
Occasionally repetitive narrative structure
Rushed resolution of major plot developments
Recommendation
“Nesting” will appeal to readers who appreciate domestic fiction with social relevance and psychological depth. Fans of authors like Anna Burns, Lisa Harding, and Louise Kennedy will find similar attention to the interior lives of women navigating hostile environments, both domestic and institutional.
For a debut novelist, O’Donnell shows remarkable assurance in tackling difficult subject matter with compassion and authenticity. Despite its flaws, “Nesting” marks her as a writer to watch—one with the capacity to illuminate complex social issues through intimate human stories. The novel’s ultimate message—that escape from abuse is not a single act but a continual process of reclaiming one’s agency—resonates with hard-earned truth.
While not a perfect novel, “Nesting” is an important one, giving voice to experiences that often remain hidden behind closed doors. O’Donnell reminds us that sometimes the bravest act isn’t flying away, but building a new nest, piece by piece, in which to shelter and grow.