Are You Somebody? is a deeply personal memoir written by the Irish journalist and author Nuala O’Faolain. First published in 1996, the book quickly became a bestseller and remains one of the most powerful accounts of an Irish woman’s life in the 20th century. O’Faolain, born in 1940, had worked in journalism and television for many years, but it was this book—raw, reflective, and heartbreakingly honest—that made her a household name.
Originally meant to be just a preface to a collection of her newspaper columns, Are You Somebody? evolved into a full memoir. In it, O’Faolain recounts her life growing up in Dublin, one of nine children in a family marked by poverty, instability, and emotional neglect. Her father, a well-known newspaper columnist, was often absent, and her mother struggled with alcoholism. O’Faolain writes openly about the hardship of growing up in such a household and the long-term effects it had on her sense of self-worth and belonging.
But the memoir is more than a personal story—it’s a reflection of Irish society in the mid-to-late 1900s. O’Faolain examines the cultural restrictions placed on women, the deep influence of the Catholic Church, and the weight of traditional expectations around marriage, motherhood, and propriety. She speaks candidly about her decision not to marry or have children, her romantic relationships (including a long-term partnership with another woman), and her ongoing search for meaning and connection in a world that often felt alienating.
One of the most striking qualities of the book is its brutal honesty. O’Faolain doesn’t sugarcoat her pain or pretend to have found easy answers. She wrestles with loneliness, questions her choices, and exposes her vulnerabilities in a way that feels both brave and deeply human. That openness struck a chord with readers around the world, especially women, many of whom saw their own struggles reflected in hers.
The memoir was widely praised for its lyrical writing and emotional depth. Critics described it as a powerful portrait of a woman and of a country in transition. Some called it one of the most honest pieces of writing to come out of Ireland in decades. It became a bestseller not only in Ireland but internationally, and was translated into several languages. It also inspired academic discussion, was adapted for stage and screen, and is now a staple in university courses that explore modern Irish literature and women’s studies.
Though O’Faolain passed away in 2008, Are You Somebody? continues to resonate. It stands as a powerful testament to the complexity of one woman’s life, but also to the shared experience of many—especially those who have felt invisible, unheard, or unsure of where they belong. In telling her story, O’Faolain gave voice to a generation, challenged social norms, and created space for a more honest, inclusive Irish narrative.
