Himself

A Novel

By: Jess Kidd

Narrated by: Aidan Kelly

A charming ne’er-do-well returns to his haunted Irish hometown to uncover the truth about his mother in this “supernaturally skilled debut” (Vanity Fair) and turns the town—and his life—upside down.

Having been abandoned at an orphanage as a baby, Mahony assumed all his life that his mother wanted nothing to do with him. That is, until one night in 1976 while drinking a pint at a Dublin pub, he receives an anonymous note implying that she may have been forced to give him up. Determined to find out what really happened, Mahony embarks on a pilgrimage back to his hometown, the rural village of Mulderrig. Neither he nor Mulderrig can possibly prepare for what’s in store…

From the moment he arrives, Mahony’s presence completely changes the village. Women fall all over themselves. The real and the fantastic are blurred. Chatty ghosts rise from their graves with secrets to tell, and local preacher Father Quinn will do anything to get rid of the slippery young man who is threatening the moral purity of his parish.

A spectacular new addition to the grand Irish storytelling tradition, Himself “is a darkly comic tale of murder, intrigue, haunting and illegitimacy…wickedly funny” (Daily Express).

Fantastic

Incredible book, lyrically written. Told like a story passed down like a myth from a trusted grandmother. The Irish narration makes me want to cross the sea and begin a new life. Pain, friendship, discovery and growth are all explored like a new doctor picking through an infected wound, but shot through with colour and life and poetry. Highly recommended!

can't wait for the movie!

great writing, awesome narration. story is funny and scary. Now one of my favorites!One of those books you recommend to your friends. I enjoyed the descriptions of old Irish women and their fierce determination to right a wrong.

magical story read beautifully

With a lovely but understandable Irish accent, the narrator reads this story that caught me from the very beginning with its mystery and humor.

Weird but real good.

I enjoyed the whole book. it was weird from the beginning but still a really good listen.

Entertaining and magical

An imaginative story about a young man (Mahony) in his 20s searching for answers about his mother. I was swept up in this tale that was filled with colorful characters who made me laugh or cringe.
The audiobook made the story even better because if I'm reading a book set in Ireland I want to hear it. Aidan Kelly's narration was first rate and highly entertaining.