As the conditions up north are edging toward unstable territory, we are reminded that history repeats itself. Michelle Gallen holds a magnifying glass to a familiar ‘90s Northern Ireland through a cast of ridiculously angry, lifelike characters in her second novel, Factory Girls.

With a driving independence and a provocative wit, Maeve Murray’s brash disposition is a product of The Troubles. In the days leading up to her A level results, Maeve deals with working in a factory plagued by religious tension. Brutally descriptive and always channelled through the wisecrack internal dialogue of Maeve, Gallen’s story comes to life through her vivacious language and loveable, cold characters.

Gallen handles difficult societal issues, from poverty to division and religion, with a dimensional comedic tone. This work of fiction lives in a mirrored moment in history, wherein many Maeves lived and left. Factory Girls is a well-rounded word painting of Northern Ireland in the ‘90s.

Factory Girls is out now via John Murray Press.