In 2021 knowitall.ch published an article about Clare O’Dea’s book, Voting Day, at this link. We just found out that she has just published a new novel, Before the Leaves Fall, set in Switzerland.
What is this novel about?
Before the Leaves Fall is the story of Margrit and Ruedi who meet again by chance after many years. Their paths cross for the most important of reasons: Margrit is planning to die with an assisted suicide organisation and Ruedi is the facilitator sent to help her through the process. When they realise their past connection, an unexpected bond forms, one that will illuminate both their lives.
What was the inspiration behind this novel?
You can’t help hearing about assisted dying when you live in Switzerland, which now accounts for two to three per cent of all deaths. It is quite easily accessible and has become almost an ordinary thing to do, just another aspect of Swiss self-determination. But it is extraordinary to have that power to remove the mystery of how and when we will die. And it is a different experience for loved ones compared to a natural death.
Have you been working on this idea forever, or was it something that came to you recently?
Ever I since I first reported on the subject as a journalist, I was interested in the reasons why some people chose this path while others, who might objectively be suffering more, did not want to miss a minute of their lives. Behind each decision is a unique life story and that’s what I wanted to explore with the character Margrit.
What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?
Geography! I’ve lived in Switzerland for two decades and my fiction so far has been set in this country. But despite being a dual national, I am not seen as a Swiss writer, and readers in my home country of Ireland may not be drawn to Swiss stories and characters. Having that background makes me all the more grateful that Fairlight Books in the UK chose to published my novels.
What are your plans for the future?
My dream would be to write full-time but that might have to wait. In the meantime, my plan is to do a two-week writer’s residency next year so that I can concentrate solely on writing for more than a few hours at a time. Maybe I’ll be lost with all that freedom or maybe I’ll get to a new level of creativity. It’s worth finding out!
Do you have feedback on Before the Leaves Fall from other writers?
The writing community has been very supportive. I particularly like this quote from Annie Lyons, author of The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett: “A beautifully written story of unlikely friendship and the choices we face as we reach the end of our lives. Profound, poignant and refreshingly honest, this is very much a novel of our times.”
Clare has kindly offered one of our readers the chance to win a hard copy of Switzerland: Before the Leaves Fall (value around CHF 18.50) for delivery to an address in Switzerland.
To enter the competition, just fill in this form and answer this multiple choice question: What is the name of Clare O'Dea's first book?
Only one entry per person and per email is allowed. The competition closes at midnight on Thursday, 6 November 2025. The names of all those submitting correct answers will be placed into the digital hat and the winner’s name drawn at random on Friday, 7 November 2025. No cash equivalent of prizes is permitted. The winner will be notified by email.
Before the Leaves Fall
By Clare O'Dea
Published by Fairlight Books
Dimensions: 19.8 x 13 x 1.4 cm softcover
Number of pages: 182
Published October 2025
ISBN: 9781914148828
Make sure to attend her book signing event at Payot Rive Gauche (Rue de la Confédération 7, 1204 Genève) on Thursday, 6 November 2025 from 17h30-19h!
Available through Swiss bookshops, online, and other good online shops around the world.
Payot
Ex Libris
Orell Füssli
Photo credit ©Ger Holland
