Evenings and Weekends

by Oisín McKenna
Evenings and Weekends cover
Good Books rating 4.06
Contemporary Fiction
Technical:
  • ID: 378
  • Added: 2025-09-10
  • Updated: 2025-09-18
  • ISBN: 9780008604196
  • Publisher: HarperCollins UK
  • Published: 2024-05-09
  • Formats: 18
  • Reviews: 4
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99 Hardback • £16.99

Evenings and Weekends is a vivid and intimate portrait of London during the hottest summer on record, capturing the lives of diverse characters who navigate love, ambition, and hardship. Maggie, 30, pregnant and broke, faces the possibility of returning to the hometown she fled, questioning if having a baby with her boyfriend Ed will be her last act of spontaneity. Meanwhile, Ed wrestles with his past and secret dreams, Phil escapes his dull office job while falling for his housemate Keith, who is already in a relationship, and Rosaleen, Phil's mother, confronts her cancer diagnosis as she tries to reach her son. The novel paints a kaleidoscopic picture of a city that never stops — from boozers and drag queens to hen parties — against the backdrop of political upheaval and personal transformation. Praised for its beauty, humanity, and sharp social insight, Evenings and Weekends announces the arrival of a vital new literary talent, resonating deeply with themes of class, identity, and the fleeting joys of life.

Reviews
A Wanderer's Diary · 2025-09-10
brave 4.50

The book beautifully captures the liminal space of young adulthood with vulnerability, exploring themes of grief, motherhood, love, and the tension between dreams and practicality.

This reviewer considers Evenings and Weekends one of their favorite reads, praising its nuanced portrayal of the transitional period between youth and adulthood. The heatwave setting acts almost as a character, intensifying the emotional and sexual tensions in the story. The novel's multiple intertwined characters provide a rich exploration of bravery in staying true to oneself despite fears and challenges, making it deeply relatable for readers navigating complex life decisions and relationships.

Quick quotes

    It beautifully captures the weird liminal space of not feeling like a child in your 20s but also not feeling like an adult.

    The heatwave is this kind of unspoken character, underscoring the intense emotional and sexual tension that is the heartbeat of the story.

    I truly think this book is one about bravery; about doing the scary thing, no matter how terrifying it is, because it’s true to who you are and what you want.

Goodreads · Jack Edwards · 2025-07-26
engaging 4.50

A modern, fast-paced debut novel that explores the emotional and political challenges of young adults in London through a cast of messy, empathetic characters.

Jack Edwards describes the novel as a sizzling debut that serves as a love letter to London, capturing its gritty and sweaty reality. He highlights the complexity of the ensemble cast, each grappling with personal turmoil such as pregnancy, cancer, and love triangles. The story's intensity is heightened by the setting of a heatwave, making the drama feel claustrophobic and intoxicating. Edwards appreciates that there are no villains, as the author writes each character with warmth and empathy, encouraging readers to root for all of them. The book also balances emotional depth with moments of levity and quirky details, such as the whale stuck in the Thames.

Quick quotes

    Strikingly heartfelt, sexually charged, and disarmingly comic.

    There’s a peculiar intensity to the drama, in which every character feels a little too close for comfort — it’s claustrophobic and intoxicating.

    McKenna writes each character with warmth and empathy — we’re truly rooting for everyone.

Books Are My Favourite And Best · 2024-12-08
solid 3.00

The novel offers a multi-perspective, dramatic weekend in London with solid dialogue but somewhat lacks emotional depth compared to literary predecessors.

This reviewer was drawn to the novel by its cover and comparisons to Sally Rooney and Zadie Smith, expecting a certain emotional complexity. While the story is structured around multiple perspectives and intertwining secrets, the emotional narrative feels less rich and more dramatic than nuanced. The dialogue is praised for its strength, which reflects the author's background in playwriting, but overall the book lacks the deeper inner voice that might have elevated its emotional impact. The comparison to Colm Toibin's 'Long Island' highlights the contrast between simpler, emotionally rich secrets and McKenna's more action-driven plot.

Quick quotes

    Initially, I was reminded of Colm Toibin’s Long Island – both books are written from multiple perspectives.

    The dialogue was solid but the emotional narrative lacked depth.

    McKenna has gone for something more dramatic – there’s more action and less inner-voice informing the narrative.

Book Marks · Madeleine Feeny · 2024-05-09
impressive 4.25

The prose is intensely sensory and rhythmic, immersing readers deeply into the characters' psyches and urban life, while also serving as a poignant critique of late-capitalist Britain.

Madeleine Feeny appreciates how the language in the novel prioritizes rhythm and flow, using poetic repetitions that sometimes verge on cliché but ultimately create an intimate connection with the characters. She views the book as both a howl of rage at societal issues and a love letter to the city, highlighting the possibilities for self-identity and the complex interconnectedness of urban living. John Boyne praises the compelling narrative and hypnotic prose, noting the energy, humor, and erotic charge that pulse through the debut, even if some characters feel less fully developed. Both reviewers regard it as an impressive and emotionally resonant debut.

Quick quotes

    McKenna’s language is intensely sensory.

    Evenings and Weekends is a love letter to the city – the chance it offers to forge your own identity, and the interconnectedness of urban life.

    An impressive debut, pulsating with energy, humour and an agreeable amount of erotic charge.

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