A poignant, gentle and astutely observed novel about marriage and the evolution of love

A piece of perfection – a subtle, thought-provoking investigation of a marriage. It rings true. It’s the best book I’ve read all year

What a beautiful novel … elegant, understated, subtly powerful, and rings so perfectly true … Beautiful, poignant moments, drawn with such quiet power. And that quiet power is alive and at work on every page

Beautiful and moving

Insightful and deeply moving, this is a story of one man’s grief that somehow manages to hold onto its sense of humour. I loved this book

Skilfully written with a wonderful lightness of touch … An acutely observed portrait of a relationship … filled with astute observations of human behaviour

Kathleen MacMahon’s prose could not appear more effortless or beautiful

Heart-rending … a tender and beautiful [love story] … MacMahon’s words ring with the honesty of truth, offering genuine insight into the human condition

A tender dissection of marriage

This elegant, tender novel is an absolute pleasure

A beautifully written and powerful tale

Gentle and triumphant, MacMahon offers us a novel steeped in beautiful prose and poignant tenderness

The most beautiful prose I have read in years … Not only my favourite novel of the year, but possibly of the decade

I’ve been recommending Nothing But Blue Sky to anyone who’ll listen … It’s about grief and eulogising and getting into the “habit of happiness” and I just loved it

Beautiful … A gentle but deeply affecting read, and the perfect reminder of how sadness and hope can sometimes live side by side

Sure and subtle, MacMahon holds the reader in her spell. She is a born storyteller

Kathleen MacMahon has written an absorbing, grave, and emotionally resonant study of a marriage, of a life, of masculinity and of grief. A marvellous achievement

Kathleen MacMahon sensitively explores the complexities of the human heart and reveals how even in the depths of grief, unexpected light can emerge from the darkness

Full of humour and brims with the warmth of family, friendship and the possibility of second chances

An elegantly written and moving account of one man coming to terms with the sudden death of his wife

Excellent (and darkly funny) … A sensitive, nuanced, and ultimately hopeful exploration of grief

Full of humour and brims with the warmth of family, friendship and the possibility of second chances

Touching and enthralling

Stunning

A tender portrait of a marriage and how we are formed by our closest relationships

Heart-wrenching … Almost a parable, it’s a cautionary tale for those failing to appreciate just how short life can be

It’s rare to read an account of a happy normal marriage and she does it brilliantly

Kathleen MacMahon writes with a confidence and ease and with an unerring sense of timing