Review of Fun and Games by John Patrick McHugh

At the age of seventeen where sexual experiences are like currency exchanged between the boys on the football field, John is trying to soak in all that’s there in his small Irish hometown before going away to college. It’s the summer before the rest of his life. He’s working in the hotel to save money, taking shifts between football practice and desperately trying to get closer to Amber, a girl he works with, who’s nineteen, slightly older and more experienced. It’s getting closer to results day and everything hangs in the balance, whether he stays or gets to  flee and restart his life in Galway. All his friends are in the same boat and there’s talks of all living together, but everything is so uncertain. His sister is getting married and his parents are splitting up and John just wants out.

Exploring masculinity and how young men navigate unknown territory of dating, growing up, family, friends and freedom, Fun and Games is a nostalgic and witty coming of age novel. For fans of Isaac by Curtis Garner and lovers of Irish fiction.

Reviewed by Victoria

Published on 24/04/25 by 4th Estate

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