Contemporary
Straad is a drifter, searching for less shallowness in his life. He longs for Cláragh. She ambushes his busy days and haunts his lonely nights. She looks past the mirror of his eyes and sees into his soul. But she is also obsessed by another and questions whether she is ready to commit.
Cláragh and Straad’s fervid affair dominates this tale. But here also are the affairs of their friends; a perfect one to never end, a forever dead one to live again, a forbidden one to find the light. There is hatred and death, longing and betrayal, but all is a journey.
A story which questions the times in our lives when we are forced to make decisions; some made on a whim, some driven by obsession, some made by others. These are choices which affect ourselves, our lovers, and our descendants, forever.
After making these decisions, do we get another chance?
A darkly humorous story of living, longing, dying. Questioning commitment and desire.
Here's what readers have to say about this book....
STRAAD makes you question the big things in life, what do we really need? Or who? What is important? Is love enough? The novel follows the journey of main protagonist, Straad, as he navigates his new life in Ireland. I was immediately drawn to him. You can’t help but root for him as he embarks on new work-ventures and his all-consuming quest for Cláragh’s heart (or soul). He has an effortless way of winning people over, meeting people who quickly become more like family than friends. The pub scenes were a real highlight, Cairnduff captures them so vividly that I genuinely felt like I was there, wrapped up in their stories. His imagery and descriptions throughout the novel are brilliant and bring every setting to life. The love story between Straad and Cláragh is a complicated one - raw, real, and deeply human. I found myself wanting the best for Straad but also questioning what that really is. This book made me feel everything, and I was moved to tears by the end. A powerful, immersive read that makes you look inward at your own relationships, hopes, dreams and reality.
I’ve just finished STRAAD by new author Ken Cairnduff, and I am honestly reeling. This story is a rare find—it manages to be funny and romantic one moment, then dark and deeply touching the next. What struck me most was how "real life" it felt. Cairnduff’s writing is so evocative that I could visualise the homes, the markets, and the hills as though I’ve known them all my life. I didn’t just read about this world; I felt I was standing right in the middle of it. The characters are beautifully drawn. By the end, I felt like I truly knew these people, and the tear-jerking twists and turns kept me glued to the pages. I couldn't put it down but at the same time I didn't want it to finish. I’m already craving more from this author! Highly recommended for anyone who loves a story with heart, grit, and incredible atmosphere.
A multi-levelled journey looking past a normal love story into what makes us tick. Or stop ticking. The setting works well to allow the characters to develop outside the modern age of mobiles and the internet, but still live in modern times, with modern morals. Straad and Claragh are obviously the main characters, but there are so many others to love. Particularly Mack and Ginger, and Straad's rebel Granny, who finds a new path on her single-track road. Only those with no heart will have dry eyes at the end.
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