Louise Kennedy

Changes with Annie Macmanus

This is one of our favourite episodes. An Irish writer, Louise Kennedy is funny boned and great craic, with a remarkable life story to tell. Louise grew up in Belfast before moving when her family's pub was targeted with bombs twice. A chef for 30 years, Louise was dragged along reluctantly by a friend to a writing group and her life changed. Inspired by her own experiences in Northern Ireland, Louise’s debut novel ‘Trespasses’ is a love story between a protestant and a catholic set in a small town near Belfast in 1975 at the height of The Troubles. It became a number 1 bestseller, was novel of the year for publications like the Times and the Guardian, won The British Book Awards Book Of The Year for Debut Fiction, the An Post Irish Book Awards Novel Of The Year 2022, was shortlisted for the Women's Prize of Fiction 2023 and many more.

Here, Louise catches up with Annie about the stories from her childhood in Belfast and the huge transitions that have happened in her life, including a cancer diagnosis. In typical Irish fashion, Louise is hilariously self-deprecating and despite her huge success and challenges plays everything down with a wit and humour that will make you laugh out loud at times. You may even be inspired to take up something new, you never know what could happen.

You can buy Louise’s book ‘Trespasses’ here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trespasses-Louise-Kennedy-ebook/dp/B09G1MHJFM

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