“ltpgtltstronggtPraise forltemgt Old RomanticsltemgtltstronggtltpgtltpgtAs for the prose you could bathe in it The details the clever turns of phrase A ticking clock is strict censorious like a clacking tongue A heart bangs like a broken toyltpgtltpgtltstronggtNiamh Donnelly ltemgtIrish TimesltemgtltstronggtltpgtltpgtThe collection builds to four final stories with power insight and compassion for human frailtyltpgtltpgtltstronggtMartina Devlinltemgt Irish IndependentltemgtltstronggtltpgtltpgtAn audacious debutltpgtltpgtltstronggtltemgtIrish TimesltemgtltstronggtltpgtltpgtReaders of ltemgtOld Romanticsltemgt will be swept up in the verve of Armstrongs storytelling but the deeper purpose of the humour as with all good comedic writing is that of connection of recognition this crazy thing called life tell me you feel it too The more we laugh the closer we are to tears ltemgtOld Romanticsltemgt is a collection big on feeling on living romanticism with a capital RltpgtltpgtltstronggtSarah Gilmartin ltemgtThe Stinging FlyltemgtltstronggtltpgtltpgtltemgtOld Romanticsltemgt is a dazzling snapshot of Dublin in the early 21st century full of wry social observation This book deserves a broad readership Its one for your friend or your sister or your favourite daughterinlaw it will appeal to anyone who likes clever modern writing about womanhoodltpgtltpgtltstronggtAingeala Flannery ltemgtIrish IndependentltemgtltstronggtltpgtltpgtltemgtOld Romanticsltemgt is somehow both elegant and fiery Maggie Armstrongs Dublin is full of surprises An excellent debutltpgtltpgtltstronggtNicole FlatteryltstronggtltpgtltpgtExquisite and inventive prose conjures simmering menace along with sardonic comedy and razorsharp selfawareness in this mesmerising collectionltpgtltpgtltstronggtSophie WhiteltstronggtltpgtltpgtFunny and awkward and honest and perceptive and shrewd a very exciting new voice in Irish fictionltpgtltpgtltstronggtLouise ONeillltstronggtltpgt”