On the occasion of her 50th birthday, single and put-upon Annie McMahon discovers a strange series of lumps in the hollow of her throat. Already battered by feelings of increasing insignificance, Annie fears that cancer is about to end her life before it actually begins. Annie’s frustration is amplified by her twin sister Julia; newly-promoted at work, married to a wealthy husband and with a gifted child.

When Annie is forced into a sideways career move, she finds herself researching the lives of local historic women. The escape from her toxic office is a welcome respite. But Annie’s physical woes and lack of self-worth isn’t everything. She has also started having intrusive thoughts; a voice in her head, authoritative and defiant. Her doctor dismisses this as merely symptoms of the menopause, ushering her away with pamphlets on HRT.

She fears her sanity has abandoned her completely when she vomits up a black crow. The voice in her head is growing in stature, her body feeling like it is no longer her own. She forces herself to concentrate on her research, becoming captivated by Marie Rua O’Neill – otherwise known as Red Mary of Lemanagh – who saw off 25 husbands and defied the patriarchy of the 17th century. As Annie’s inner voice grows in volume, she finds herself becoming liberated by its message…

The superb They Shut Me Up is published by PS Publishing under their Absinthe Books imprint. Tracy Fahey is an award-winning Irish writer whose work is never less than captivating, and this novella packs a real punch into its 107 pages. The story works on several different levels – part body-horror, part psychological fantasy, part social commentary on middle-age – and They Shut Me Up masterfully offers up a triumphant feminist battle cry within the framework of its supernatural narrative. Annie is an engaging character – her humility and self-deprecating humour is a delight – and we recognise her disappointment at life’s mundane journey, especially us of a certain age . But as she embarks on her journey of self-empowerment we are right beside her, cheering her on. In a world where, despite efforts to reverse the long-standing effects of inequality, this is a message that’s as relevant now as it’s ever been. Highly recommended.