Eriu, the Dublin-based imprint of Bonnier Books UK, is set to publish Charleen Hurtubise’s “audacious act of storytelling”.
UK and Commonwealth rights (excluding Canada) to Saoirse were acquired by publishing director Deirdre Nolan from Felicity Blunt at Curtis Brown and will be published in February 2026 alongside the US edition, published by Celadon Books, in a deal brokered by Gráinne Fox at United Talent Agency.
The book is set in the wilds of Donegal in 1999, and the publisher described it as “a haunting and evocative story that explores the fine line between dishonesty and reinvention”.
The synopsis continues: “Saoirse is an artist living what appears to be an idyllic life with her husband and daughters. But when her work unexpectedly wins a major award, the resulting attention threatens to unravel the life she’s so carefully built. What no one knows is that Saoirse has been on the run since she was 17, living under a stolen identity. As her past resurfaces, the novel moves between her childhood in Michigan and her journey to Ireland in search of safety and belonging.”
Hurtubise has lived in Dublin, Ireland for more than 25 years, having moved from Michigan in the US. She is a teacher and artist as well as a writer, and her short fiction, essays and poetry have appeared in various publications.
Hurtubise said: “I found it such a thrill to write Saoirse, to uncover her grit and sinew – to discover her resilience and bid for reinvention against all odds. Mostly, I love how hard she has fallen in love. I can’t wait for readers to jump into Saoirse’s world.”
Nolan said: “Charleen Hurtubise creates an unforgettable heroine in Saoirse, and her atmospheric, lyrical narrative provides a compelling tension that will keep readers gripped to the last page.”
Blunt said: “We are thrilled to be working with Gráinne Fox and Eriu to bring Saoirse to a UK audience – this is a poignant and thought-provoking story about creativity, reinvention and escape. Set between Michigan and Ireland, the book deftly explores the long reach of the past in spite of how hard we might try to escape it. A perfect story for readers of Colm Tóibín and Colin Walsh – we are very excited to see this published next year.”