Trespasses

Published in 2022, Louise Kennedy’s Trespasses is an adult historical fiction novel. The story unfolds during the 1970s in a town near Belfast, a city deeply divided by the sectarian violence of the Northern Ireland conflict, commonly known as “the Troubles.” The protagonist, Cushla Lavery, is a young Catholic schoolteacher. Her quiet life takes a turn when she embarks on a risky and passionate affair with Michael Agnew, a married Protestant barrister who is involved in defending Irish Republic Army (IRA) suspects. As their relationship develops, Cushla finds herself navigating a complex web of societal expectations, religious divides, and personal desires. The novel, which explores themes of violence, relationships, and ethical dilemmas, won the McKitterick Prize and was named the Novel of the Year at the An Post Irish Book Awards and the British Book Awards Book of the Year for Debut Fiction.

Citations in this study guide refer to the e-book edition released by Riverhead Books in 2022. Kennedy made the stylistic choice not to place quotation marks around dialogue, so this guide uses the author’s original spacing to indicate when the speaker changes within a quotation.

Content Warning: This guide describes and discusses the novel’s treatment of wartime violence, homicide, and alcohol addiction.