PRAISE FOR PANENKA

"A timeless and touchingly singular story of regret and redemption " Waterstones
"... a tonic for our times... Hession's writing is absolutely beautiful... " The New European
"Ronan Hession is not just a fine writer but one of Ireland’s most original thinkers on literary matters and the craft of good writing." The Sunday Times
“Panenka’s rejection of the grim, in favour of small moments of grace, looks like a bold and successful choice.” The Guardian
“It’s as good on the world’s most popular sport as Fever Pitch was, and former goalie Albert Camus would be proud of this diehard Watford fan. What Hession brings to his work is a songwriter’s sensibility, so his novels feel like a long song as he returns again and again to the damage humans can cause when they can’t – or won’t – be honest with one another, or themselves. The relationship between the taciturn Panenka and his daughter is one any father can relate to as they dance around their feelings... Fans of his debut have been sweating that this might be the literary version of that difficult second album, but they needn’t worry as Hession has struck this one sweetly into the back of the net.” Louder Than War
“Panenka is a subtle masterpiece: the fascinating painting on the cover art could not be more appropriate. With careful, intentional strokes, Hession paints a word-portrait of a man who is neither better nor worse than any of us: he is simply a flawed human being who has made mistakes, who faces obstacles, who tries to live his life in relation to those around him. A good heart beats at the centre of this book, and though Panenka is sadder in tone than Hession’s first novel, it still has that warm glow of gentle faith in humanity, in the power of connection, in finding a way in the world that makes sense for each one of us. It is a beautiful book, and I loved it.” Helspells

“Rónán Hession is an exceptional writer. He creates the most beautiful stories with the most gorgeous, yet ordinary, characters and, with a stroke of a pen, captures the reader and immerses them completely into his world. Contemplative and expressive, Panenka is quite simply a joy to read, and reread again. A novel with great depth exploring human fragility and vulnerability, Panenka is another extraordinary read from an extraordinary writer.” Swirl and Thread

“Panenka is a great novel.
It’s a great novel about life and a great novel about people.
But it is also a great novel about football. And Hession is not afraid to admit it.” Niall Bourke

RIGHTS SOLD: SLOVAKIA (ARTFORUM), TURKEY (KETEBE)
SHORTLISTED FOR THE BOOKS ARE MY BAG AWARDS AND AN POST IRISH BOOKS AWARD FOR NOVEL OF THE YEAR

"His name was Joseph, but for years they had called him Panenka, a name that was his sadness and his story."

Panenka has spent 25 years living with the disastrous mistakes of his past, which have made him an exile in his hometown and cost him his dearest relationships.
Now aged 50, Panenka begins to rebuild an improvised family life with his estranged daughter and her seven-year-old son. Faced with losing everything, he meets Esther, a woman who has come to live in the town to escape her own disappointments. Together, they find resonance in each other's experiences and learn new ways to let love into their broken lives.