The Busker-Praise

Praise for So It Is

‘Shades of Brian Moore’s Lies of Silence abound in this no-holds-barred debut about an Irish republican paramilitary who becomes first hunter, then hunted… Bell resists clichés and stretches the tension out to a bitterly abrupt end in which there are no winners.’

‘A fresh perspective on the Troubles.’

‘This confident debut alternates between two characters and invites us to speculate on the connection between them (the truth of which is tantalisingly deferred). The scenes dealing with young Aoife are beautifully handled. Though her story is harrowing, there are moments of humour and warmth that would seem to confirm her plaintive dictum: “It’s not always cruelty that shows through.”’

Financial Times

‘Very impressive.’

BBC Radio Ulster

‘No word is wasted, no imagery subdued in this powerful book… An emotional rollercoaster with a very thought-provoking ending where the true value of life is considered.’

We Love This Book

‘A deftly written, confident debut.’

Jess Richards, author of Snake Ropes

‘Combines a gripping narrative drive with a deep sensitivity to the language, thoughts and emotions of its characters.’

Times Higher Education

‘A mature exploration of a controversial and difficult subject… wisely choosing to place the human – not the political or paramilitary – story at the centre of the novel.’

Gutter magazine

‘By turns lyrical and brutal, Liam Murray Bell’s novel is a gripping and unforgettable literary debut. Interweaving an acutely observed coming-of-age story with a chilling account of one woman’s involvement in Republican paramilitary activity, So It Is unflinchingly examines the devastating impact of violence on individual lives. This is a first novel of astonishing maturity from a talent to watch.’

‘Bell uses our present peacetime context to examine the impact of all that has gone before. The interwoven narrative of a contemporary character who seeks to bring some retribution to bear upon those figures that live amongst us still in Northern Ireland – those with plenty of secrets and lies in their closets – interestingly seems to offer some catharsis to our villains in their attempts to deal with their own past.’

Culture Northern Ireland

‘Had me close to tears… If you like your books gritty with more than a hint of truth… then you will enjoy this one.’

newbooks magazine

‘Vividly and sympathetically written.’

‘So It Is explores the physical and psychological devastation of the Northern Irish conflict on many levels with sensitivity and compassion… intelligent [and] carefully constructed.’

‘[Bell] knows how to tell a tale… It’s an ending with no winners. Women, Bell would have us believe, are here no different from men… A challenging political thriller cum coming-of-age story.’