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Louise O'Neill

ルイーズ・オニール

Louise O'Neill

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1985-01-01 （Clonakilty, Ireland）
Nationality
Ireland
Languages
English
Religion
Unknown
Residence History
Clonakilty, Ireland → New York City, USA → Ireland

Career

Occupations
Novelist, freelance journalist
Active Years
2014-2024

Awards

Irish Book Awards Newcomer of the Year
2014
Work: Only Ever Yours
Category: Newcomer
Organization: Irish Book Awards
Result: Winner
Irish Book Awards Children's Book of the Year (Senior)
2015
Work: Asking For It
Category: Children's Senior
Organization: Irish Book Awards
Result: Winner
YA Book Prize
2015
Work: Only Ever Yours
Organization: The Bookseller
Result: Winner
Michael L. Printz Award Honor
2017
Work: Asking For It
Organization: American Library Association
Result: Honor
Honorary Doctorate in Law
2021
Organization: University College Cork
Result: Recipient

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Only Ever Yours

2014 Young adult fiction

Set in a dystopian world where only boys are born naturally, follows two lab-created girls fighting to be selected as companions (wives).

FeminismDystopiaOppression of women
Adaptations
  • [Film/TV] Only Ever Yours

Asking For It

2015 Young adult fiction

The story of Emma, an 18-year-old student in rural Ireland who is raped, and the fallout on her family and friends.

Sexual assaultRape cultureFeminism
Adaptations
  • [Theatre] Asking For It (2018)

Almost Love

2018 Fiction

Sarah in her late twenties teaches at a Dublin school instead of pursuing art, struggling with relationships and past. Structured 'Now' and 'Then' in reverse order.

RelationshipsDissatisfactionPast trauma

The Surface Breaks

2018 Young adult fiction

Feminist reimagining of The Little Mermaid; Gaia breaks free from oppressive father.

FeminismMermaidsOppression

Idol

2022 Fiction

Bibliography

  • Only Ever Yours
  • Asking For It
  • Almost Love
  • The Surface Breaks
  • Idol

Adaptations

  • Asking For It stage adaptation (2018, Landmark Productions)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Feminist perspectiveProvocativeEngaging YA style
Recurring Motifs
Women's oppressionSexual consentCritique of social norms

Legacy

Irish YA author acclaimed for feminist works addressing oppression of women and sexual assault. Received Honorary Doctorate from UCC.

In Popular Culture

  • Asking For It adapted into RTÉ2 documentary (2016)

Trivia

  • Moved to New York in 2010, returned to Ireland in 2011 and began first novel.
  • Called 'the best YA fiction writer alive today' by The Guardian.