Dirt Pickers is the acclaimed debut novel from debut author Edie May Hand – read an extract here.
A tale of love, trauma and survival set in a remote valley in Idaho in 1981, Dirt Pickers follows a man, a woman and three children, among the few survivors of a terrible tragedy.
They stop running only long enough to wash the blood from their hands and bodies. Their only choice now is, somehow, to become a family…
We asked Edie for her choice cultural picks…
FILM
Niamh Barry is an Irish photographer I’ve been a fan of for years, but recently they shot a short film in Oklahoma’s Tornado Alley about transgender storm chaser, meteorologist, and climate advocate, Raychel Sanner. In Barry’s own words, Something in the Air is “extremely urgent and very timely”, particularly given the rise of conservatism across the globe and how this affects the stripping (or complete absence) of transgender people’s rights alongside the rejection of climate change’s impact on our daily lives. The short film premiered at this year’s Galway Film Fleadh, and screens at the GAZE Festival in Dublin on July 31st – Barry is in the process of raising funds for a full feature-length film which will go into production this year. I can’t wait to see what they create.
Raychel Sanner in Something in the Air (Pic: Niamh Barry)
MUSIC
There is so much to look forward to in music this year. Phoebe Bridgers’ third album, Lost Weekend, is releasing on the 14th of August, and Ariana Grande’s eighth album, petal, will be with us at the end of this month. I am a die-hard fan of both. As for Irish musicians, I’m big into Lankum at the moment and, of course, CMAT. I’d listen to an album of any genre if CMAT recorded it.
BOOK
William Keohane’s book Out There is being published by And Other Stories Publishing in November of 2026. Given that they published this year’s International Booker Prize winner, I’m really looking forward to this one. Recently, though, I’ve been wanting to buy a copy of Sara Baume’s Opening Night, which came out at the start of July. Her book Seven Steeples is a favourite of mine, and I adore how she writes.
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THEATRE
I’d love to see Dracula in the Gaiety Theatre this November, as it’s certainly the right time of year for it. And I’ve heard that Hadestown will be in Dublin next summer, so that’s something to look forward to. I’ve only seen it once while on a trip to London, and it’s still up there with one of the best musicals I’ve ever been to.
TV
My friends and I are currently watching Widow’s Bay. It’s a horror/comedy set on an island off the east coast of America, starring Matthew Rhys as a mayor who is doing his best to make the island “the next Martha’s Vineyard”. This, of course, does not work out for him, because the island is seemingly cursed. The show somehow balances the two genres brilliantly and creates the kind of tension that has you on the edge of your seat, without being too frightening.
GIG
My last gig was The Kooks with my brother in Trinity College. It was the 20th anniversary of their debut album, Inside In/Inside Out. I went to the 10th anniversary in the Olympia when I was seventeen, so it felt only right to attend this one. Next month, there’s The Weeknd, The Strokes in October, then MUNA and Phoebe Bridgers in November. Between all of that, I’ll take whatever I can get my hands on.
ART
The National Gallery of Ireland’s William Blake exhibition is pure magic. I went with a friend recently and we left feeling so inspired. There are only a few weeks left to visit, but it’s well worth the trip. You can even take a wander around the gallery after. It’s a whole day’s worth of art to look at.
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PODCAST
I’m not big on podcasts, but one I do look forward to is Dua Lipa’s Service95. A few months ago, she interviewed author Claire Keegan about her novel, So Late in the Day, and since then I’ve tried to listen to as many episodes as I can. Dua takes such a considered approach with her questions and uses her platform to spotlight voices from around the world, which is brilliant, because I think we could all do with listening to each other a little more.
Dua Lipa (Pic: Getty)
TECH
Charfoodguide’s website (and Instagram) is a comprehensive guide to food and drink in Ireland. If you’re on a budget, or want to bring visitors to somewhere exciting and new with the guarantee that it will be a hit, it’s definitely worth checking out their articles and videos.
THE NEXT BIG THING…
Lola Petticrew. I haven’t seen much of their work, but I love how they dress and carry themselves; how they speak about the things that matter to them. Their next film, I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning is out this year, and I’ve heard great things!
Dirt Pickers is published by Manilla Press
