The Country Girls by Edna O'Brien

The Country Girls Trilogy #1 

Published in 1960, the The Country Girls debut novel and its sequels by Irish author Edna O'Brien were banned by the Irish Censorship Board and condemned by the Catholic Church for their frank, honest portrayals of female sexuality, desire, and independence.

Meet Kate and Baba, two young Irish country girls who have spent their childhood together. As they leave the safety of their convent school in search of life and love in the big city, they struggle to maintain their somewhat tumultuous relationship. Kate, dreamy and romantic, yearns for true love, while Baba just wants to experience the life of a single girl. Although they set out to conquer the world together, as their lives take unexpected turns, Kate and Baba must ultimately learn to find their own way.