Join us for an afternoon of conversation with writer Ali Isaac to discuss her powerful debut memoir, Imperfect Bodies - an intimate and unflinching exploration of motherhood, identity, and the politics of the female body, published by Hlose Press.
When Ali learns that she is expecting a child with a rare genetic condition affecting the heart, face, skin, and development, her world is shaken. Doctors tell her that her baby will not survive pregnancy - but against all odds, Carys is born.
In Imperfect Bodies , Isaac reflects on her journey as Caryss mother, confronting the intersections of motherhood, disability, and womanhood with clarity and grace. Through lyrical prose and piercing insight, she interrogates how pregnancy, ageing, and disability are framed by medicine and society, and how cultural notions of normality shape the way we see and value bodies.
A deeply moving and thought-provoking memoir that will resonate with readers of Claire Kilroy, Anne Enright, and Deborah Levy, Imperfect Bodies celebrates resilience and redefines what it means to live - and love - within a body that defies expectation.
Ali Isaac lives in Ireland with her husband, two sons, and daughter, Carys. A graduate of Maynooth University, she holds First Class Honours degrees in English, History, and English Literatures of Engagement. Her writing has appeared in The Stinging Fly, Sonder, Paper Lanterns, and Catatonic Daughters.
Ali was selected for the Penguin Write Now programme in 2020 and has received mentorship from author Sara Baume through Words Ireland and The Arts Council of Ireland. She is also a recipient of the Arts Council Literature Bursary Award. Imperfect Bodies is her first book.
Hlose Pressis an independent publisher dedicated to amplifying womens voices and celebrating literary writing that challenges norms and inspires change. Imperfect Bodies marks the presss first memoir - a landmark publication for a publisher known for its bold, boundary-pushing fiction.
This in-person conversation between Ali Isaacand Opt Indie Books will explore the creation of Imperfect Bodies , the ethics of writing about care and disability, and the wider cultural narratives that shape our understanding of the body. Part of City Librarys Womens History Month celebrations.
When Ali learns that she is expecting a child with a rare genetic condition affecting the heart, face, skin, and development, her world is shaken. Doctors tell her that her baby will not survive pregnancy - but against all odds, Carys is born.
In Imperfect Bodies , Isaac reflects on her journey as Caryss mother, confronting the intersections of motherhood, disability, and womanhood with clarity and grace. Through lyrical prose and piercing insight, she interrogates how pregnancy, ageing, and disability are framed by medicine and society, and how cultural notions of normality shape the way we see and value bodies.
A deeply moving and thought-provoking memoir that will resonate with readers of Claire Kilroy, Anne Enright, and Deborah Levy, Imperfect Bodies celebrates resilience and redefines what it means to live - and love - within a body that defies expectation.
Ali Isaac lives in Ireland with her husband, two sons, and daughter, Carys. A graduate of Maynooth University, she holds First Class Honours degrees in English, History, and English Literatures of Engagement. Her writing has appeared in The Stinging Fly, Sonder, Paper Lanterns, and Catatonic Daughters.
Ali was selected for the Penguin Write Now programme in 2020 and has received mentorship from author Sara Baume through Words Ireland and The Arts Council of Ireland. She is also a recipient of the Arts Council Literature Bursary Award. Imperfect Bodies is her first book.
Hlose Pressis an independent publisher dedicated to amplifying womens voices and celebrating literary writing that challenges norms and inspires change. Imperfect Bodies marks the presss first memoir - a landmark publication for a publisher known for its bold, boundary-pushing fiction.
This in-person conversation between Ali Isaacand Opt Indie Books will explore the creation of Imperfect Bodies , the ethics of writing about care and disability, and the wider cultural narratives that shape our understanding of the body. Part of City Librarys Womens History Month celebrations.
Event Dates
| Date | Available Ticket Types | Ticket Price | Book Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
|
21st March 2026, 12:30pm |
|
| Book Now |
