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Happy are the Happy
Happy are the Happy
Jan 13, 2026 11:01 AM

Author:Yasmina Reza,Sarah Ardizzone

Happy are the Happy

1 novel. 18 people. 18 lives.

Infinite combinations: families and friends, colleagues and patients, lovers and mourners... But sometimes a crowd is the loneliest place to be.

An award-winning exploration of dreams and disillusionment, love and infidelity from the creator of global theatre sensation Art and God of Carnage.

Reviews

Fast becoming the hit of the summer... At times it's darkly comic, but there's loss and heartbreak, too

—— Laurel Ives , Style, Sunday Times

Reza has a sketch artist's ability to create pictures and atmosphere with a few careful strokes... Bittersweet, yet beautiful to read

—— Daily Mail

She has a superpower for zeroing in on each beat of an argument, each buried emotion... Moments of simple joy stand out from the vividly awkward domestic tussles that surround them

—— The Times

Sharply observant wit...a rather particular delight...the mistress of subtle detail

—— Louise Jury , Independent

Happy are the Happy is a spiky, brilliantly observed novel about marriage, infidelity, dreams and disillusion

—— Stella Magazine, Sunday Telegraph

The author skillfully peels away the veneer of life to reveal the secrets seething within

—— Anita Sethi , Observer

A funny, caustic book about how we all think we’re so different – when we’re painfully similar

—— Viv Groskop , Red

Reza has form for nailing relationships in all their joy and ugliness. But she does so with the lightest, sharpest skewer imaginable

—— Harpers Bazaar

Witty writing and astute observations...a fascinating, yet moving snapshot of the lives of a group of people who are inextricably linked in an intricate web

—— Irish Examiner

Fascinating, yet moving...poetically and thoughtfully penned

—— UK Press Association

Reza has set herself a challenge in her latest novel, and she rises to it beautifully

—— Economist

Reza's prose is natural, true and steeped in each character

—— The Skinny

Outré and witty

—— Madeleine Kingsley , Jewish Chronicle

This is a deft, shrewd, frequently anguished, occasionally hilarious investigation into the endless ways in which we make ourselves miserable

—— Sarah Crown , The Times Literary Supplement

With implacable wit and a dramatist’s sense of timing, Reza offers snapshots from the psyches of eighteen characters… The tone is wry, warm, and accepting

—— New Yorker

An addictive and intoxicating coming-of-age tale with a dark and serious edge

—— The Bookseller

Intense and emotionally charged . . . A fascinating cast and a relentless plot . . . Intriguing

—— The Bookseller

A brilliantly gripping and atmospheric novel of sudden revelations as memories surface . . . Characters are vivid and engaging, the plot is compelling and unpredictable and the mood is, in turn, humorous, romantic, magical, dangerous, frightening and haunting

—— Magpies

Stylishly written, highly engaging and utterly captivating, The Accident Season heralds the arrival of one the most original and striking voices in YA fiction for decades

—— Daisy Chain Book Reviews

A brilliant, eerie debut

—— Mumsnet

There’s a lot of buzz about this book, and I can see why. From the first chapter you’re immediately drawn in. There’s a sense of danger from the outset . . . This is an incredibly haunting debut and I’m looking forward to seeing more from Fowley-Doyle

—— Askews & Holts

Thrilling, exciting, twisted, engaging and unique. As a slightly darker book, the storyline keeps the reader on the edge of their seat and eager to read on . . . perfect for someone who enjoys riveting stories and is a must-read for any keen readers like myself

—— Bridie, 15 , Big Issue

Fowley-Doyle’s stunning debut novel weaves the temporal and the spiritual into a seamless reality, rich in emotional impact . . . Will cast its spell over older teens and adults alike

—— School Library Journal

A haunting and atmospheric coming of age story whose offbeat characters and lyrical prose style beguile the reader from the first page. An arresting & memorable debut

—— Peters Newsletter

The whole package: teenage angst (but of course), broken families, strong friendships, a sprinkle of romance and a lot of mystery

—— Star

An extremely cool and quirky science fiction adventure, stacked full of hilarious and fitting pop culture references. Cline has created a fast paced and engaging story using a perfect blend of humour, futuristic tech and video-game like action sequences.

—— Brit Book Boy

Ernest Cline is a genius in every sense of the word…This was truly wonderful, everything I had hoped it would be, and then heaps and heaps more.

—— Tea and Book Reviews

Release your inner nerd and rejoice!

—— The Fancy Octopus

Armada is a gamer’s fantasy come true.

—— Read at Midnight

thriller-like plotting…immensely readable

—— SFX

It’s a hoot, from beginning to end

—— Christoria

Literally everything I could ask for

—— Emma's Bookery

A highly rewarding journey…thoroughly enjoyable fiction.

—— SF Book

Armada is a journey towards emotional intelligence and understanding, a journey towards some questions answered, others posed – huge questions they are too. Armada’s a good ‘un.

—— Frost

A surprising thriller, a coming of age, space-fighting adventure which will thrill sci-fi fans and gamers alike.

—— Metro

It is often said that the best novels are those that don’t waste any time – the ones that grip the reader from the very first line. Armada does this better than perhaps any other book I’ve read.This book is a love-letter to the science fiction genre. It’s a concentrated shot of sci-fi nerdery that’s definitely worth experiencing.

—— One Giant Read

Armada is fun, so go enjoy it for the first time… or the second.

—— Geekdad
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