Women writers came out in force this week to welcome the launch of Clare Dowling's book, No Strings Attached, which reached number three in the bestselling books of original fiction in its first week in the shops. Dowling, a scriptwriter for the RTÉ soap, Fair City, "has a rare gift. She has no idea of how good she is", said writer Sarah Webb, who launched No Strings Attached.
"Her dialogue is spot-on. It sparkles and crackles and has real wit. Her characters are just brilliant," she said, explaining that the story of No Strings Attached is "about awoman who is gifted". And, she said, "Clare has a habit in her books of throwing in a bad boy".
Among those at the party in Eason Hanna's bookshop were writers Denise Deegan, Martina Devlin, Catherine Daly and playwright Michelle Read. Caroline Williams, whose first novel, Pretending, published by Penguin, came out last year, was also there to salute the publication of Dowling's fifth book. And novelist Brian Gallagher, whose last book, Pursuit, was published by Poolbeg, was also present.
Dowling "can write social comedy superbly", said Kevin McHugh, Fair City series editor. "Along with the wit . . . she can express the human dilemma behind it."
Dowling, who grew up in Johnstown, Co Kilkenny, was joined by members of her family at the party. Her sisters, Pam Dowling, who owns the Ground Floor Cafe on Main Street, Kilkenny, and Margaret Dowling, were there, as were her aunt, Rita O'Shaughnessy, and her brother, John Dowling, with his wife, Laura Cooke.
Friends who came to celebrate the arrival of No Strings Attached included Fair City assistant script editors Lena Byrne and Sharon McClone and scriptwriter John Fagan.
No Strings Attached, by Clare Dowling, is published by Headline Review