Book cover of Ordinary Human Failings

Book description

*LONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION 2024*

*SHORTLISTED FOR FICTION - 2023 NERO BOOK AWARDS*

After the death of a young girl, the finger of suspicion is pointing at one reclusive family...

'Ambitious and original' DAVID NICHOLLS

'Gripping... A triumph' SUNDAY TIMES

It's 1990 in London and, after the…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Ordinary Human Failings as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I chose this book first for the sheer beauty of the writing and second, for the cautionary spotlight it places on the destructive power of the media.

Set in London in 1990, this is the story of an Irish immigrant family tied by blood but not by intimacy. Their tragedies are exaggerated for gain by the ambition of a sketchy tabloid reporter who exploits the vulnerabilities of these flawed characters. I love how Nolan uses her exquisitely beautiful prose to describe tragic events and dark secrets. Everything is infused with sharp psychological insights and a keen eye for the intricate…

From Sarah's list on the strength of the human spirit.

If you love Ordinary Human Failings...

Ad

Book cover of December on 5C4

December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

Want books like Ordinary Human Failings?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 87 books like Ordinary Human Failings.

Browse books like Ordinary Human Failings

Book cover of Demon Copperhead
Book cover of Save Yourself
Book cover of Wired Hard

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,277

readers submitted
so far, will you?

Ad

📚 If you like Ordinary Human Failings, you might also like...

Book cover of The Bridge: Connecting The Powers of Linear and Circular Thinking

The Bridge by Kim Hudson,

The Bridge provides a compassionate and well researched window into the worlds of linear and circular thinking. A core pattern to the inner workings of these two thinking styles is revealed, and most importantly, insight into how to cross the distance between them. Some fascinating features emerged such as, circular…

Book cover of And Then They Were Gone: Teenagers of Peoples Temple from High School to Jonestown

And Then They Were Gone by Judy Bebelaar,

Of the 918 Americans who died in the shocking murder-suicides of November 18, 1978, in the tiny South American country of Guyana, a third were under eighteen. More than half were in their twenties or younger.

The authors taught in a small high school in San Francisco where Reverend Jim…

5 book lists we think you will like!