The novel explores the Troubles from a Catholic Nationalist point of view.

Madden began writing the book in 1994, just before the anniversary of British troops arriving in Northern Ireland.

[1] Three Northern Irish sisters growing up in Ulster deal with political violence during the Troubles.

[3] The New Hibernia Review noted the book "demonstrates the impossibility of pure forgiveness in the circumstances".

The award website said the novel "confirms Deirdre Madden’s reputation as one of Irish fiction’s most outstanding talents.