Louise O’Neill: A Bigger Life

Dublin Book Festival is delighted to present an evening with award-winning author Louise O’Neill to celebrate her new book, A Bigger Life. Known for her sharp and unflinching feminist writing, with bestselling novels including Idol and Asking for It, Louise will now join author Sophie White in conversation about her first memoir.

At 38, Louise had the life she thought she wanted—until her long-term relationship ended, taking with it the home, future, and sense of certainty she’d built. Part memoir, part manifesto, A Bigger Life is a candid, courageous exploration of what happens when the life we have built is upended, and how, when one door closes, another opens. Heartbroken but defiant, Louise made the radical decision to say yes to everything, to take risks, and to reclaim her life—on her own terms. What followed was a dating experiment that took her across the world and challenged everything she had been taught to settle for – in life, love, and in herself. Both candid and full of wit, this memoir is a courageous exploration of modern womanhood, sexual freedom, and the myths we’re sold about what makes a life worthwhile. It’s about embracing uncertainty, finding joy after heartbreak, and creating space for the version of yourself that doesn’t play small.

Join us for an evening of reflection, insight and uplifting humour as we consider the question at the heart of the book: What does it really mean to live a bigger life?

Louise O’Neill is the bestselling and multi-award-winning author of Only Ever Yours, Asking For It, Almost Love, Idol and Whatever Happened to Madeline Stone.. Known for her sharp, fearless feminist writing, she has become one of the most important voices in contemporary Irish literature. Her work has been widely praised for its bold social commentary and emotional depth. A Bigger Life is her first full-length memoir.

Sophie White is an award-winning novelist, essayist and podcaster from Dublin. She is the author of books including Filter This, The Snag List, Corpsing and Where I End, which won the Shirley Jackson Award for best novel. Her seventh book and fifth novel, My Hot Friend won the An Post Irish book Award for Popular Fiction. Her latest book, Such A Good Couple, was published last year. Sophie writes a weekly column ‘Nobody Tells You’ for the Sunday Independent LIFE magazine.

There are two ticket options available for this event. The Book & Ticket bundle includes a trade paperback edition of A Bigger Life.

Please note we may be capturing imagery at this event for use on our social media and website.

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With thanks to our venue partner 1WML.