'The Rachel Incident' looks back on early-20s friendships, love and mistakes

Rachel and James: A 20-something Friendship in Cork City

The Rachel Incident, written by Caroline O'Donohue, delves into the lives of Rachel and James, best friends navigating their messy 20-something years in Cork City, Ireland, during 2009. The book explores the mixed messages women receive about sexuality, as Ireland remained conservative while the US experienced scandals and conversations about sex tapes and celebrity behavior. Rachel comes from an upper-middle-class background, but her family is financially affected by the 2008 economic recession, making her broke. Meanwhile, James, an effervescent and charismatic figure, faces the struggles of being closeted. While their friendship forms the core of the story, various characters, including a college professor and Rachel's other boyfriend, who is a constant presence, provide insights into adulthood. The novel delves into abortion as a significant theme, framing Irish women's experiences in a society defined by historical repression and restrictions on sexuality. O'Donohue combines contradictory messages about femininity during that time, drawing inspiration from the horror genre to depict the millennial horror story of Irish women's lives.