Esquire has revealed its first-ever Better Men 2025 list, and we’re delighted to see Oisín McKenna included in recognition of the cultural impact of his debut novel, Evenings and Weekends.
Chosen as “The Debutant,” McKenna was selected, in Esquire’s words, “because it takes both chutzpah and talent to secure book of the summer with your debut novel.” The editors add: “It takes a very fresh perspective to breathe new life into a storyline as familiar as ‘London during a heatwave’, but debut author Oisín McKenna pulled it off with 2024’s Evenings and Weekends. By focusing on the lives of queer, underprivileged and very confused 30-somethings, McKenna revealed an unexpected and messy side to the city. No wonder you couldn’t move for seeing its cover on the Tube. ‘Getting my book deal felt like a triumph,’ he says. ‘This is what I’ve wanted since I was seven years old.’”
The Better Men list celebrates positive masculinity and recognises men who are shaping culture in innovative, meaningful ways. We’re thrilled to see Oisín included among such inspiring company, from actor Jonathan Bailey to Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton.
Since its publication, Evenings and Weekends has found an enthusiastic, devoted readership, and Oisín McKenna’s place on this list only further reflects the novel’s lasting resonance and the admiration it continues to inspire.
