Fun and Games
THE INSTANT TOP 10 IRISH BESTSELLER
An Observer Best Debut Novelist of 2025
āOne of the most exciting writers working in Ireland todayā SALLY ROONEY
'One of my favourite books of the yearā JULIA ARMFIELD
āA funny and frank coming-of age-drama' OBSERVER
'Gorgeous ā¦ a writer of immense talent' MICHAEL MAGEE
āGrowing up isnāt all fun and gamesā SERVICE95
A stunning debut novel following a teenage boy as he comes of age on the west coast of Ireland, from the author of the acclaimed story collection Pure Gold.
Seventeen-year-old John Masterson has no idea what he wants. Itās his last summer on the small island where he has grown up and he should be enjoying the weeks until his exam results come through. Instead, heās working mind-numbing shifts at the local hotel and trying to keep his head down after his motherās nude sext to another man was leaked to the whole island.
As John joins the local senior football team, gets caught up in fights and parties, and embarks on a tentative relationship with his slightly older co-worker Amber that he feels both proud and ashamed of, he can almost pretend that this summer will last forever. But soon John must face up to the choices before him: to stay or leave, to stand out or fit in, and whether to love and let himself be loved, despite or perhaps because of, the flaws that make us all human.
Fun and Games is a darkly comic, beautifully crafted debut novel that is full of feeling both harsh and tender. It takes in social class and its firm borders, manhood and its frailties, family and, of course, love.
'Brilliantly written; as evocative as it is funny. Think: the male version of Sally Rooney' VOGUE
'A writer at the top of his technical game' TELEGRAPH
'In 20 years of reviewing, Iām not sure Iāve read a funnier book, or one Iāve enjoyed moreā DAILY MAIL
'Warmth and sensitivity, and a skillful humour' GUARDIAN
'Funny and heartbreakingā FERDIA LENNON
āBrilliant and bittersweet ode to young love, friendship and GAA' IRISH TIMES
'One of the debuts of the year' iPAPER
'An utter joy to read' COLIN BARRETT
āA gifted writer' ANNE GRIFFIN
āBighearted and boisterous, bursting with life' COLIN WALSH
'A remarkable depiction of burgeoning masculinity' REBECCA WATSON
'Totally brilliant and unputdownable' IRISH EXAMINER
John Patrick McHugh's 'Fun and Games' was a Irish top ten bestseller w/c 2025-04-28.
Fun and Games
THE INSTANT TOP 10 IRISH BESTSELLER
An Observer Best Debut Novelist of 2025
āOne of the most exciting writers working in Ireland todayā SALLY ROONEY
'One of my favourite books of the yearā JULIA ARMFIELD
āA funny and frank coming-of age-drama' OBSERVER
'Gorgeous ā¦ a writer of immense talent' MICHAEL MAGEE
āGrowing up isnāt all fun and gamesā SERVICE95
A stunning debut novel following a teenage boy as he comes of age on the west coast of Ireland, from the author of the acclaimed story collection Pure Gold.
Seventeen-year-old John Masterson has no idea what he wants. Itās his last summer on the small island where he has grown up and he should be enjoying the weeks until his exam results come through. Instead, heās working mind-numbing shifts at the local hotel and trying to keep his head down after his motherās nude sext to another man was leaked to the whole island.
As John joins the local senior football team, gets caught up in fights and parties, and embarks on a tentative relationship with his slightly older co-worker Amber that he feels both proud and ashamed of, he can almost pretend that this summer will last forever. But soon John must face up to the choices before him: to stay or leave, to stand out or fit in, and whether to love and let himself be loved, despite or perhaps because of, the flaws that make us all human.
Fun and Games is a darkly comic, beautifully crafted debut novel that is full of feeling both harsh and tender. It takes in social class and its firm borders, manhood and its frailties, family and, of course, love.
'Brilliantly written; as evocative as it is funny. Think: the male version of Sally Rooney' VOGUE
'A writer at the top of his technical game' TELEGRAPH
'In 20 years of reviewing, Iām not sure Iāve read a funnier book, or one Iāve enjoyed moreā DAILY MAIL
'Warmth and sensitivity, and a skillful humour' GUARDIAN
'Funny and heartbreakingā FERDIA LENNON
āBrilliant and bittersweet ode to young love, friendship and GAA' IRISH TIMES
'One of the debuts of the year' iPAPER
'An utter joy to read' COLIN BARRETT
āA gifted writer' ANNE GRIFFIN
āBighearted and boisterous, bursting with life' COLIN WALSH
'A remarkable depiction of burgeoning masculinity' REBECCA WATSON
'Totally brilliant and unputdownable' IRISH EXAMINER
John Patrick McHugh's 'Fun and Games' was a Irish top ten bestseller w/c 2025-04-28.
Product Information
Product Information
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
Description
THE INSTANT TOP 10 IRISH BESTSELLER
An Observer Best Debut Novelist of 2025
āOne of the most exciting writers working in Ireland todayā SALLY ROONEY
'One of my favourite books of the yearā JULIA ARMFIELD
āA funny and frank coming-of age-drama' OBSERVER
'Gorgeous ā¦ a writer of immense talent' MICHAEL MAGEE
āGrowing up isnāt all fun and gamesā SERVICE95
A stunning debut novel following a teenage boy as he comes of age on the west coast of Ireland, from the author of the acclaimed story collection Pure Gold.
Seventeen-year-old John Masterson has no idea what he wants. Itās his last summer on the small island where he has grown up and he should be enjoying the weeks until his exam results come through. Instead, heās working mind-numbing shifts at the local hotel and trying to keep his head down after his motherās nude sext to another man was leaked to the whole island.
As John joins the local senior football team, gets caught up in fights and parties, and embarks on a tentative relationship with his slightly older co-worker Amber that he feels both proud and ashamed of, he can almost pretend that this summer will last forever. But soon John must face up to the choices before him: to stay or leave, to stand out or fit in, and whether to love and let himself be loved, despite or perhaps because of, the flaws that make us all human.
Fun and Games is a darkly comic, beautifully crafted debut novel that is full of feeling both harsh and tender. It takes in social class and its firm borders, manhood and its frailties, family and, of course, love.
'Brilliantly written; as evocative as it is funny. Think: the male version of Sally Rooney' VOGUE
'A writer at the top of his technical game' TELEGRAPH
'In 20 years of reviewing, Iām not sure Iāve read a funnier book, or one Iāve enjoyed moreā DAILY MAIL
'Warmth and sensitivity, and a skillful humour' GUARDIAN
'Funny and heartbreakingā FERDIA LENNON
āBrilliant and bittersweet ode to young love, friendship and GAA' IRISH TIMES
'One of the debuts of the year' iPAPER
'An utter joy to read' COLIN BARRETT
āA gifted writer' ANNE GRIFFIN
āBighearted and boisterous, bursting with life' COLIN WALSH
'A remarkable depiction of burgeoning masculinity' REBECCA WATSON
'Totally brilliant and unputdownable' IRISH EXAMINER
John Patrick McHugh's 'Fun and Games' was a Irish top ten bestseller w/c 2025-04-28.
