M.J. Hyland – This Is How

The Independent“Causality is a question at the heart of the gripping narrative...” Hyland compellingly patrols the border of normality and self-control, at which a civilised, "decent" person can turn criminal...

Book Bag“Not yet reviewed”

The New York Times“An eerie, commanding book...” A style almost entirely devoid of affect; but there is nothing simplistic about her achievement. “This Is How” is an unflinching, absorbing, morally complex portrait of one life gone suddenly and terribly awry...

The New Yorker“Not yet reviewed”

Guardian“The first half is involving, the second is extraordinary...” Bleak yet moving, mercilessly dispassionate yet shot through with kindness and wit, it is a profound achievement...

Publishers Weekly“Hyland's clever prose is first-rate...” Hyland sails across Patrick's dark exterior with humor and empathy, but as with everyone Patrick encounters, she hesitates to dive below the surface...

Financial Times“This book is preoccupied with the life of an outsider...” It’s all credit to Hyland that I’m still thinking about this one, still excited and perturbed by it, still trying to work out what exactly it is that I just read...

Scotsman“Not yet reviewed”

The Telegraph“A strong note of redemptive humanity pervades a vividly imagined tragedy...” Every word of Hyland’s narrative – observed with the bright, deranged precision of a Richard Dadd painting – resonates with Patrick’s tragic awareness of what he lacks...

The Times“This is an expertly paced, gripping novel that doesn’t falter...” The novel offers a moment-by-moment account of the transformation that takes place when a person commits an irrevocable act and enters the criminal justice system. Hyland’s focus is steady, her detail relentless...