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Anne Griffin’s WHEN ALL IS SAID Nominated for TWO Irish Book Awards!

Posted on Wednesday, October 30th, 2019

We are delighted to share the news that Anne Griffin‘s acclaimed, best-selling debut novel WHEN ALL IS SAID has been nominated for two Irish Book Awards! The novel, published in Ireland and in the UK by Sceptre, is up for the Popular Fiction Book of the Year and Newcomer of the Year awards.

Huge congratulations to Anne for both of these very well-deserved nominations!

Here’s the synopsis for the novel…

Five toasts. Five people. One lifetime.

‘I’m here to remember – all that I have been and all that I will never be again.’

At the bar of a grand hotel in a small Irish town sits 84-year-old Maurice Hannigan. He’s alone, as usual -though tonight is anything but. Pull up a stool and charge your glass, because Maurice is finally ready to tell his story.

Over the course of this evening, he will raise five toasts to the five people who have meant the most to him. Through these stories – of unspoken joy and regret, a secret tragedy kept hidden, a fierce love that never found its voice – the life of one man will be powerfully and poignantly laid bare.

Heart-breaking and heart-warming all at once, the voice of Maurice Hannigan will stay with you long after all is said.

WHEN ALL IS SAID is also published in North America by St. Martin’s Press, and is available in a growing number of translated editions.

Here is just a small selection taken from the aforementioned critical acclaim…

‘Anne Griffin’s debut novel is a must read. Beautifully observed, masterful story telling – stunning!’ — Graham Norton

‘An extraordinary novel, a poetic writer, and a story that moved me to tears… There is something special here.’ — John Boyne

‘An intimate character study of a wealthy 80-year-old Co Meath farmer, WHEN ALL IS SAID is also a study of extreme reticence and self-sabotage, giving voice to a man who, in matters of the heart, has all too often chosen to remain silent… Griffin’s strength is in voice and in the rhythm of her prose, which is rich without being overwritten. A winner of the John McGahern Award for Literature, she fits into the Irish lyrical tradition… but WHEN ALL IS SAID feels like a bridge between the past and the present, Maurice’s belated loquacity breaking open that familiar Irish silence… a testament to Griffin’s talent that she paints such a complete portrait of a man whose contrariness disguises his stoicism. By the end of the novel his humanity is clear; he has made himself known.’ — Independent

‘Griffin’s portrait of an Irish octogenarian provides a stage for the exploration of guilt, regret, and loss, all in the course of one memorable night.’ — Kirkus

‘Maurice’s humor, his keen observations on class and family, and his colloquial language, as well as Griffin’s strong sense of place, create the feeling of a life connected to many others by strands of affection and hatred.’ — Publishers Weekly

‘The most impressive aspects of this first novel from the pen of prize-winning short-story writer Anne Griffin are its rich, flowing prose, its convincing voice, and its imaginative and clever structure. She has complete mastery of her quite complex plot, and manages to imbue her sizeable cast of diverse characters with life and energy… Griffin is a writer of unusual confidence and authority, and a welcome arrival to the literary scene.’ — Irish Times

‘Pitch-perfect prose… Moving and beautifully written, this is a wonderfully assured debut.’ — Mail on Sunday

‘It’s all beautifully done; a tale told in the plain but poetic prose of a man who recognises the tragic truths gleaned from a life of love and loss. A gem of a book.’ 5* — Sunday Express

‘A proper tear-jerker, but one that will ultimately leave you feeling hopeful.’ — Grazia

Anne Griffin’s EIN LEBEN UND EINE NACHT out now in audio!

Posted on Thursday, September 26th, 2019

A new audiobook edition of Anne Griffin‘s acclaimed, best-selling debut novel, WHEN ALL IS SAID is out now in Germany! Published by Argon Hörbuch as EIN LEBEN UND EINE NACHT, and narrated by Reinhard Kuhnert, here’s the synopsis…

In einer irischen Kleinstadt sitzt Maurice Hannigan, 84 Jahre alt, an einer Hotelbar und blickt auf sein Leben zurück. Fünf Mal wird er im Lauf des Abends sein Glas erheben, um auf die wichtigsten Menschen in seinem Leben anzustoßen und seine Geschichte zu erzählen. Maurice stammte aus einfachen Verhältnissen. Sein Vater war Bauer, die Mutter arbeitete als Küchenmagd. Sein großer Bruder, den er über alles liebte, starb noch in der Kindheit. Wir erfahren, wie Maurice seine große Liebe Sadie kennenlernte, wie beide ihr erstes Kind verloren und er zu einem wohlhabenden Mann wurde. Der Mann, der seinen Gefühlen kaum Ausdruck verleihen konnte, erzählt in dieser Nacht von Momenten der Freude und des Zweifels, von verpassten Chancen und der Tragödie seines Lebens, die er vor allen versteckt hielt.

The novel is published in print in Germany by Rowohlt.

WHEN ALL IS SAID is published in the UK and Ireland by Sceptre, and in North America by St. Martin’s Press. It has also been published widely in translation (with more editions on the way!). Here’s the English-language synopsis…

‘I’m here to remember – all that I have been and all that I will never be again.’

At the bar of a grand hotel in a small Irish town sits 84-year-old Maurice Hannigan. He’s alone, as usual -though tonight is anything but. Pull up a stool and charge your glass, because Maurice is finally ready to tell his story.

Over the course of this evening, he will raise five toasts to the five people who have meant the most to him. Through these stories – of unspoken joy and regret, a secret tragedy kept hidden, a fierce love that never found its voice – the life of one man will be powerfully and poignantly laid bare.

Heart-breaking and heart-warming all at once, the voice of Maurice Hannigan will stay with you long after all is said.

‘A hugely enjoyable, engrossing novel, a genuine page-turner. Maurice is a fabulous character, wonderfully flawed and completely engaging; his voice is familiar and real, full of sadness and regret and defiance, and unexpected tenderness.’ — Donal Ryan, award-winning author of The Spinning Heart

‘[An] impressively confident debut … Maurice Hannigan emerges as an engaging, compassionate creation’ — Guardian

‘Anne Griffin’s debut novel is a must read. Beautifully observed, masterful story telling – stunning!’ — Graham Norton

‘Griffin’s portrait of an Irish octogenarian provides a stage for the exploration of guilt, regret, and loss, all in the course of one memorable night.’ — Kirkus

‘Maurice’s humor, his keen observations on class and family, and his colloquial language, as well as Griffin’s strong sense of place, create the feeling of a life connected to many others by strands of affection and hatred.’ — Publishers Weekly

‘An extraordinary novel, a poetic writer, and a story that moved me to tears… There is something special here.’ — John Boyne

‘The most impressive aspects of this first novel from the pen of prize-winning short-story writer Anne Griffin are its rich, flowing prose, its convincing voice, and its imaginative and clever structure. She has complete mastery of her quite complex plot, and manages to imbue her sizeable cast of diverse characters with life and energy… Griffin is a writer of unusual confidence and authority, and a welcome arrival to the literary scene.’ — Irish Times

‘Beautiful. Intimate. Tearful. Aching and lyrical. So simply and beautifully told.’ — Louise Penny

Large Print French edition of WHEN ALL IS SAID out now!

Posted on Wednesday, September 18th, 2019

A large print edition of WHEN ALL IS SAID, Anne Griffin‘s best-selling, critically-acclaimed debut novel, is out now in France! Published by Éditions Voir de Près as TOUTE UNE VIE ET UN SOIR, here’s the synopsis…

Dans une bourgade du comté de Meath, Maurice Hannigan, un vieux fermier, s’installe au bar du Rainsford House Hotel. Il est seul, comme toujours – sauf que, ce soir, rien n’est pareil. Au fil de la soirée, il veut porter cinq toasts aux cinq personnes qui ont le plus compté pour lui. Il lève son verre à son grand frère Tony, à l’innocente Noreen, sa belle-sœur un peu timbrée, à la petite Molly, son premier enfant trop tôt disparu, au talent de son fils journaliste qui mène sa vie aux États-Unis, et enfin à la modestie de Sadie, sa femme tant aimée, partie deux ans plus tôt. Au fil de ces hommages, c’est toute une vie qui se révèle dans sa vérité franche et poignante… Un roman plein de pudeur et de grâce qui contient toute l’âme de l’Irlande.

The regular French edition of the novel is published by Delcourt Littérature. WHEN ALL IS SAID has been widely praised since its release, and is now available eight territories (with more on the way!). It is published in English by Sceptre (UK and Ireland) and St. Martin’s Press (North America).

Here are just a few of the great reviews the novel has received so far…

‘Cinq toasts autour desquels est organisé TOUTE UNE VIE ET UN SOIR, cinq toasts pour raviver les instants-clés qui ont fait l’histoire d’Hannegan et, à travers lui, celle des métamorphoses de l’Irlande après son indépendance…’ — Le Monde

‘An intimate character study of a wealthy 80-year-old Co Meath farmer, WHEN ALL IS SAID is also a study of extreme reticence and self-sabotage, giving voice to a man who, in matters of the heart, has all too often chosen to remain silent… Griffin’s strength is in voice and in the rhythm of her prose, which is rich without being overwritten. A winner of the John McGahern Award for Literature, she fits into the Irish lyrical tradition… but WHEN ALL IS SAID feels like a bridge between the past and the present, Maurice’s belated loquacity breaking open that familiar Irish silence… a testament to Griffin’s talent that she paints such a complete portrait of a man whose contrariness disguises his stoicism. By the end of the novel his humanity is clear; he has made himself known.’ — Independent

‘Griffin’s portrait of an Irish octogenarian provides a stage for the exploration of guilt, regret, and loss, all in the course of one memorable night.’ — Kirkus

‘Maurice’s humor, his keen observations on class and family, and his colloquial language, as well as Griffin’s strong sense of place, create the feeling of a life connected to many others by strands of affection and hatred.’ — Publishers Weekly

‘The most impressive aspects of this first novel from the pen of prize-winning short-story writer Anne Griffin are its rich, flowing prose, its convincing voice, and its imaginative and clever structure. She has complete mastery of her quite complex plot, and manages to imbue her sizeable cast of diverse characters with life and energy… Griffin is a writer of unusual confidence and authority, and a welcome arrival to the literary scene.’ — Irish Times

‘Anne Griffin’s debut novel is a must read. Beautifully observed, masterful story telling – stunning!’ — Graham Norton

‘An extraordinary novel, a poetic writer, and a story that moved me to tears… There is something special here.’ — John Boyne

‘Beautiful. Intimate. Tearful. Aching and lyrical. So simply and beautifully told.’ — Louise Penny

‘Beautifully written, unhurried and thoughtful, a lonely man truthfully wrought and a character you love from the off, in spite of his flaws or maybe because of them… a terrific debut.’ — Kit de Waal, award-winning author of My Name is Leon

‘A hugely enjoyable, engrossing novel, a genuine page-turner. Maurice is a fabulous character, wonderfully flawed and completely engaging; his voice is familiar and real, full of sadness and regret and defiance, and unexpected tenderness.’ — Donal Ryan, award-winning author of The Spinning Heart

‘[An] impressively confident debut … Maurice Hannigan emerges as an engaging, compassionate creation’ — Guardian

Anne Griffin’s EIN LEBEN UND EINE NACHT out now in Germany!

Posted on Tuesday, August 20th, 2019

Anne Griffin‘s critically-acclaimed, best-selling debut novel, is out now in Germany! WHEN ALL IS SAID is published by Rowohlt as EIN LEBEN UND EINE NACHT. Here’s the synopsis…

Ich bin hier, um mich zu erinnern…

…an alles, was ich gewesen bin, und alles, was ich nie wieder sein werde.”

In einer irischen Kleinstadt sitzt Maurice Hannigan, 84 Jahre alt, an einer Hotelbar und blickt auf sein Leben zurück. Dies ist keine gewöhnliche Nacht. Fünf Mal wird er im Lauf des Abends sein Glas erheben, um auf die Menschen anzustoßen, die ihm am meisten bedeutet haben.

Der Mann, der seinen Gefühlen kaum Ausdruck verleihen konnte, erzählt in dieser Nacht von Momenten der Freude und des Zweifels, von verpassten Chancen und der Tragödie seines Lebens, die er vor allen verborgen hielt…

Ein Roman über Liebe und Verlust.Traurig und tröstend zugleich hallt die Stimme seines Helden noch lange nach.

WHEN ALL IS SAID is published in the UK and Ireland by Sceptre, in North America by St. Martin’s Press, and is available in a rapidly growing number of translated editions. Here’s the English-language synopsis…

Five toasts. Five people. One lifetime.

‘I’m here to remember – all that I have been and all that I will never be again.’

At the bar of a grand hotel in a small Irish town sits 84-year-old Maurice Hannigan. He’s alone, as usual -though tonight is anything but. Pull up a stool and charge your glass, because Maurice is finally ready to tell his story.

Over the course of this evening, he will raise five toasts to the five people who have meant the most to him. Through these stories – of unspoken joy and regret, a secret tragedy kept hidden, a fierce love that never found its voice – the life of one man will be powerfully and poignantly laid bare.

Heart-breaking and heart-warming all at once, the voice of Maurice Hannigan will stay with you long after all is said.

Here are just a few of the many great reviews the novel has received so far…

‘Griffin’s portrait of an Irish octogenarian provides a stage for the exploration of guilt, regret, and loss, all in the course of one memorable night.’ — Kirkus

‘Maurice’s humor, his keen observations on class and family, and his colloquial language, as well as Griffin’s strong sense of place, create the feeling of a life connected to many others by strands of affection and hatred.’ — Publishers Weekly

‘Anne Griffin’s debut novel is a must read. Beautifully observed, masterful story telling – stunning!’ — Graham Norton

‘[An] impressively confident debut … Maurice Hannigan emerges as an engaging, compassionate creation’ — Guardian

‘An extraordinary novel, a poetic writer, and a story that moved me to tears… There is something special here.’ — John Boyne

‘An intimate character study of a wealthy 80-year-old Co Meath farmer, WHEN ALL IS SAID is also a study of extreme reticence and self-sabotage, giving voice to a man who, in matters of the heart, has all too often chosen to remain silent… Griffin’s strength is in voice and in the rhythm of her prose, which is rich without being overwritten. A winner of the John McGahern Award for Literature, she fits into the Irish lyrical tradition… but WHEN ALL IS SAID feels like a bridge between the past and the present, Maurice’s belated loquacity breaking open that familiar Irish silence… a testament to Griffin’s talent that she paints such a complete portrait of a man whose contrariness disguises his stoicism. By the end of the novel his humanity is clear; he has made himself known.’ — Independent

Pięć toastów Hannigana: WHEN ALL IS SAID by Anne Griffin out now in Poland!

Posted on Wednesday, August 14th, 2019

Pięć toastów Hannigana, the Polish edition of Anne Griffin‘s acclaimed, best-selling debut novel, WHEN ALL IS SAID is out now! Published in Poland by Wydawnictwo Czarna Owca, here’s the synopsis…

Historia jednej nocy. Opowieść o całym życiu.

Gdybyście musieli wybrać pięć osób, które podsumowałby wasze życie, kogo byście wybrali? W hotelowym barze w małym irlandzkim miasteczku 84-letni Maurice Hanniganzamawia pięć drinków. Przy każdym z nich wznosi toast za najważniejsze osoby w swoim życiu: ukochanego starszego brata, nietuzinkową szwagierkę, córkę, z którą spędził zaledwie piętnaście minut, syna mieszkającego w Stanach Zjednoczonych i za zmarłą, żonę, z której odejściem nie umie się pogodzić. Z historii ludzi, którzy go opuścili układa opowieść o swoim burzliwym życiu, o tym czego żałuje, o tragediach, miłościach i małych zwycięstwach.

Opowieść Maurice’a Hannigana rozgrzewa serce i budzi silne emocje, a jego głos rozbrzmiewa na długo po tym, gdy wszystko zostaje już wypowiedziane.

The novel is published in the UK and Ireland by Sceptre, in North America by St. Martin’s Press, and widely in translation (see below for some of the covers). Here’s the English-language synopsis…