What writers and readers are saying About On The Way Out

Since publishing On The Way Out in November 2025, I’ve been very happy with the reactions it has drawn from acclaimed writers, judges of the Gerald Griffin Competition and readers who encountered the book in entirely their own way.

As a debut novelist, I’m grateful for every response, and I’d like to share some of them here. I do so mindful of the fact that there are undoubtedly some for whom the book doesn’t work – no book pleases everyone.

One of the first reviews came from Joseph O’Connor, the bestselling author of My Father’s House and The Ghosts of Rome. Joseph spoke about the book’s tone and texture, describing the writing as “skilful, vivid, nuanced,” and noting how it moves “from insight to humour to emotional truthfulness, often in the one crafted paragraph.”

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From the Gerald Griffin Competition panel, Kerry Beth Neville — judge, short-story writer and author of Momma May Be Mad — offered a perspective that meant a great deal. She said the novel “navigates the lives of ordinary people with tenderness, wit, and acuity,” and that the dialogue is “sharp but not heartless,” capturing both the ache of loneliness and the resilience of community.

She saw the town itself as “a character… a bit ragged but full of possibility,” which is exactly what I wanted to achieve.

Another judge, the poet and novelist Ciaran O’Driscoll, author of The Golden Ass, responded to the mix of humour and local politics. He called the book “a deft coming together” of story and character and spoke about the “wit and savvy of small-town politics” that run through it.

His observation that the novel suggests not confrontation but “wisdom and canniness” as the better way forward felt especially apt.

On a lighter note, I loved the reaction from Louise Rooney, who read the book early. She called it “witty” and “laugh-out-loud,” saying it contains “more Irishisms than BellX1’s entire discography,” before declaring it “the chocolate at the end of your Cornetto.”

It’s impossible not to smile at that.

At the launch, author Declan Varley, whose own novels include Kittyland and The Confession of Peadar Gibbons, offered a deeply personal reflection.

Declan placed the book within the Ballinrobe tradition we both come from, speaking about the influence of my late father’s district notes in the local newspaper and the everyday conversations that shaped my understanding of tone and local life.

He said the characters “breathe, falter, try again,” and that the town “beats like a heart behind every page.”

Declan has seen versions of this manuscript over the past year, so his comment that “every sentence is crafted and is dripping with meaning… not a single word wasted,” struck more of a chord with me than he probably realises.

Readers have contributed their own insights, each with a different window into the book.

Frank Foley, from Trim in Co. Meath (yes, Gaelic football fans, that Frank Foley), wrote that the novel feels “full of empathy and experience, warmth and hope,” and that it shows how community, friendship and a certain stubbornness help people navigate the twists of life. I particularly like how he described me, as the observer of local life, “hiding in plain sight”.

Sean Lowry, from Ballinahown in Athlone (yes, Gaelic football fans, that Sean Lowry), wrote that he stumbled across the book by accident and ended up reading it in one sitting. That’s something no writer ever tires of hearing. He said it brought home “how Ireland, and towns in particular, are changing.” He also loved the language.

And Maureen Nalubega, from Balla, wrote that the novel felt like “a good friend.”

Mike Maguire from Limerick had this to say: “This guy can do that thing of very plain, simple language, not overtly trying to impress anyone – just telling the tale but with as economic prose as possible and hitting all the right notes.”

Máire Garvey, Westport, described it as “a hug of a book”. It’s a world away from her usual “go-to read…crime or thriller, the darker the better”. This is a world removed from that. In Rathfin, “a world populated by real people, ordinary people, worried about how they’re going to pay the bills, but who still have room to try something new”, she met “Louise and Matt, our main protagonists, but other smaller though important characters as well – the irrepressible Joanne, Maggie, who was born, bred, married and will die in the town, ‘Pound Shop’, whose brief appearance was one of the many laugh-out-loud moments for me. And that’s one of the things I loved about this book – the humour. It’s subtle and sneaks up on you unawares and is woven into the story just as it weaves its way into our own lives.”

The book took her “by surprise somewhat”. She added: “Nobody McGyvers anything, no plot twists fall from the sky, though without giving anything away, there’s a lovely little surprise near the end that made me go ‘ahh’. And all of the characters are real, flawed, likeable people that I’d be happy to have in my life (Pound Shop excepted, maybe!) You’ll find yourself rooting for them, and if you’re like me, wanting to know what happens next for our main protagonists.”

Kathryn O’Connell, New South Wales & Ballinrobe, also enjoyed On the Way Out.

“I loved it and didn’t want it to finish. The characters came over so well that I found myself totally involved in their lives from early on. The way the story is built and unfolds feels just right, carrying the reader along at a perfect pace,” she wrote.

“By the end, I was already wondering what happened next – on the Camino and on Rathlin – once everyone returned home. I hope there are ideas for the next one, which I’m sure there are. Congratulations on an amazing achievement, with many more to come.”

Donal McGoey, Co. Limerick, wrote: “On The Way Out is a thoroughly engaging read. The book captures the characters and drama of small-town life with clarity and confidence. There is a strong sense of place throughout, rooted in community and everyday experience. The writing is a real strength. Many of the sentences are beautifully crafted, and the style feels precise and assured. The depiction of local struggles for shared facilities is convincing and adds to the realism of the story. I was particularly struck by the use of short paragraphs. Whether this was a deliberate choice from the outset or something refined in editing, it works extremely well. It keeps the narrative moving and suits the modern reader. A fully deserved winner of the Gerald Griffin Award for First Adult Fiction 2025.”

Liz Kelleher, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, wrote: “This novel captures the ache of loneliness and loss with tenderness and humour, while never losing sight of hope. The friendship formed between Matt and Louise develops during this unputdownable book and we are intrigued to find out what happens. Will the Camino be more than just a walk? The reader feels a deep sense of attachment to the main characters and the community of Rathfin which mirrors many West of Ireland towns. I loved it and look forward to reading the rest of this story…hopefully!”

Martha Higgins, author of Hiding from the Heart (you can buy it here), offered this review: “Liam Horan has a deep understanding of rural Ireland, small towns and the people who live there. The writing is nuanced and insightful, and often very funny, it captures the essence of rural people where so much is unsaid. So many will identify with the characters, who find strength and camraderie in adversity. But the tensions are not ignored here, the loss of faith in politicians is explored and the realisation that people have to rescue themselves. I found Louise’s situation particularly poignant. Lovely writing with a great turn of phrase. I look forward to more from this writer.”

Brian Keating, Co. Limerick, whose story story Missing Person will be published in the April 2026 edition of The Galway Review, had this to say about On The Way Out: “Liam Horan’s debut novel, On The Way Out, offers a portrait of a quintessentially Irish small town. The story is told with a deft, graceful touch. The characters of Matt and Louise, along with the secondary cast, the town, and the dialogue, all feel very authentic, so that the reader becomes emotionally invested in their fight for their community.”

Teresa Egan, Knock, Co. Mayo, wrote: “I loved Liam Horan’s recently published novel On The Way Out. As someone who occasionally reads books, this captured humour and raw emotion in equal measures, and much more besides, set in a small rural community. You can envisage these characters in real life with every page you turn. It’s an easy read and one I thoroughly enjoyed. Given the simplicity and interesting way Liam has beautifully written this novel, it is indeed not surprising he won the prestigious Gerald Griffin Competition for First Adult Fiction 2025 award.”

Bringing these reactions together has reminded me why I wanted to write this book: to capture the rhythms and contradictions of small-town life, the humour that gets us through, and the quiet acts of “keeping on keeping on” that often go unseen.

To everyone who has taken the time to read, reflect or share a view, a sincere thank you.

Buy On The Way Out in your local bookshop or from our online store