Ordinary Criminals: A Novel

Reissued 25 years after its initial publication, a new edition of one of Lionel Shriver's early novels is now available. This captivating book explores the complex intersection of politics and human relationships, taking place in the turbulent setting of Northern Ireland.

For a decade, Estrin Lancaster has been on the run from Philadelphia. Traveling from the Philippines to Berlin, she has lived as an expatriate without a true home. In each city she visits, Estrin establishes herself with an apartment, a job, and a lover, never staying long enough to feel bored. Her latest stop is Belfast, a city that, after two decades of violence, is worn out - where even the sound of another bomb going off in the city center is met with resignation and apathy.

In Belfast, the tall and bitter Farrell O'Phelan, a former bomb-disposal expert with a technical Catholic background, navigates the complexities of the region by disparaging all sides. Despite their differences, Farrell's relationship with the inquisitive Estrin is a connection between two loners, both feeling stuck in their perpetual travels around the globe.

In the standstill of Northern Ireland, it becomes increasingly difficult to believe that any progress is being made. "Ordinary Decent Criminals" is a darkly humorous exploration of those who thrive on conflict, who fear the monotony of everyday life and create chaos in their personal relationships and communities to avoid facing their own inner demons. This book showcases the early talent of Lionel Shriver, demonstrating the ambition and intelligence that has since made her a globally celebrated author.

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