Ordinary Decent Criminals

In "Ordinary Decent Criminals," bestselling author Lionel Shriver offers an insightful exploration of the complex interplay between politics and personal relationships, set against the backdrop of a turbulent Northern Ireland. The story follows Estrin Lancaster, a restless expatriate who has spent a decade avoiding home, as she arrives in Belfast, a city weary from years of violence. There, she encounters Farrell O’Phelan, a disillusioned local with a history of conflict, and together they navigate their shared feelings of alienation and ennui amid societal strife. This reissue, celebrating 25 years since its original publication, showcases Shriver's early talent for blending humor and tragedy in a narrative about individuals grappling with their demons and the chaos around them.