Nothing But Blue Sky

'A poignant, gentle and astutely observed novel about marriage and the evolution of love' Sunday Times, NOVELS OF THE YEAR 2020
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Is there such a thing as a perfect marriage?

David thought so. But when his wife Mary Rose dies suddenly he has to think again. In reliving their twenty years together David sees that the ground beneath them had shifted and he simply hadn't noticed. Or had chosen not to.

Figuring out who Mary Rose really was and the secrets that she kept - some of these hidden in plain sight - makes David wonder if he really knew her. Did he even know himself?

Nothing But Blue Sky is a precise and tender story of love in marriage - a gripping examination of what binds couples together and of what keeps them apart.

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'What a beautiful novel ... Elegant, understated, subtly powerful, and rings so perfectly true' Donal Ryan

'Heart-rending ... MacMahon's words ring with the honesty of truth, offering genuine insight into the human condition' Business Post

'Skilfully written with a wonderful lightness of touch' Irish Times

'Gentle and triumphant, MacMahon offers us a novel seeped in beautiful prose and poignant tenderness' Anne Griffin

'A beautifully written and powerful tale' Woman & Home

'A tender dissection of a marriage' Independent

'A piece of perfection ... the best book I've read all year' Irish Examiner

'Sure and subtle, MacMahon holds the reader in her spell. She is a born storyteller' Mike McCormack

Review: A poignant, gentle and astutely observed novel about marriage and the evolution of love * Sunday Times, Novels of the Year 2020 *
A piece of perfection - a subtle, thought-provoking investigation of a marriage. It rings true. It's the best book I've read all year * Irish Examiner *
What a beautiful novel ... elegant, understated, subtly powerful, and rings so perfectly true ... Beautiful, poignant moments, drawn with such quiet power. And that quiet power is alive and at work on every page -- Donal Ryan
Insightful and deeply moving, this is a story of one man's grief that somehow manages to hold onto its sense of humour. I loved this book -- Christine Dwyer Hickey
Skilfully written with a wonderful lightness of touch ... An acutely observed portrait of a relationship ... filled with astute observations of human behaviour * Irish Times *
Kathleen MacMahon's prose could not appear more effortless or beautiful * Sunday Independent *
Heart-rending ... a tender and beautiful [love story] ... MacMahon's words ring with the honesty of truth, offering genuine insight into the human condition * Business Post *
A tender dissection of marriage * Independent *
This elegant, tender novel is an absolute pleasure * Best *
A beautifully written and powerful tale * Woman & Home *
Gentle and triumphant, MacMahon offers us a novel steeped in beautiful prose and poignant tenderness -- Anne Griffin
The most beautiful prose I have read in years ... Not only my favourite novel of the year, but possibly of the decade -- Margaret Madden * Sunday Independent *
I've been recommending Nothing But Blue Sky to anyone who'll listen ... It's about grief and eulogising and getting into the "habit of happiness" and I just loved it -- Emer McLysaght * Irish Times, Best Books of 2020 *
Beautiful ... A gentle but deeply affecting read, and the perfect reminder of how sadness and hope can sometimes live side by side * Woman's Way *
Sure and subtle, MacMahon holds the reader in her spell. She is a born storyteller -- Mike McCormack
Kathleen MacMahon has written an absorbing, grave, and emotionally resonant study of a marriage, of a life, of masculinity and of grief. A marvellous achievement -- Neil Hegarty
Kathleen MacMahon sensitively explores the complexities of the human heart and reveals how even in the depths of grief, unexpected light can emerge from the darkness -- David Park
Full of humour and brims with the warmth of family, friendship and the possibility of second chances * Irish Sunday People *
An elegantly written and moving account of one man coming to terms with the sudden death of his wife * Irish Times Magazine *
Excellent (and darkly funny) ... A sensitive, nuanced, and ultimately hopeful exploration of grief -- Eimear Ryan * Irish Examiner *
Full of humour and brims with the warmth of family, friendship and the possibility of second chances * Sunday Mirror *
Touching and enthralling * Sunday Times *
Stunning -- Henrietta McKervey * via Twitter *
A tender portrait of a marriage and how we are formed by our closest relationships * Good Housekeeping *
Heart-wrenching ... Almost a parable, it's a cautionary tale for those failing to appreciate just how short life can be * RTE Culture *
It's rare to read an account of a happy normal marriage and she does it brilliantly -- Sue Leonard
Kathleen MacMahon writes with a confidence and ease and with an unerring sense of timing * Irish Times *