The second novel by Annie Macmanus – more readily known as Irish DJ and radio personality Annie Mac, whose pivot to writing with 2021 debut Mother Mother was well received – is an unusually structured piece of work which examines the relationship between a daughter with their mother and father. The Mess We’re In goes on to demonstrate the impact these relationships have on all others, via a colloquial writing style which eschews speech marks.

Its enjoyable narrative concerns protagonist Orla Quinn’s move from Dublin to London, winding up living with a band named Shiva. The feeling that this is like hitting the jackpot for a young transient is captured, as are the cracks when they begin to show.

Unlike this generation’s eminent Irish novelist, Sally Rooney, Macmanus’ exploration of young life addresses the heartbreak of being stuck in a dead-end job, and the reminiscences about Orla’s childhood felt realistic and fulfilled. This portrait of a hedonistic lifestyle might draw readers to lose themselves in this realistic demonstration. A go-to affinity with music lingo will likely prove useful when reading The Mess We’re In, though: to me, certain parts felt like either shorthand or a foreign language.