I was initially drawn to Marian Keyes' Walsh family series when Moira at Clothes in Books reviewed The Mystery of Mercy Close. That book is a mystery; the protagonist, Helen Walsh, is a private investigator. When I saw it was part of a series, I wanted to read the previous books, in order, even though I knew that they were not mysteries. I first read Watermelon (about Claire, the oldest daughter). Now I have read Rachel's Holiday, the second book in the series.
The story is set mostly in Dublin. Rachel is the third daughter in a family with five daughters. She has supportive parents, although there are communication issues in both directions. In her late twenties, she has been living in New York but she overdoses on drugs, almost dies, and her family brings her home to Dublin to go into a rehab facility called The Cloisters. Rachel mistakenly thinks it is a luxurious spa and is eager to go. The majority of the book takes place at the rehab facility, which treats people with various addictions. It was an emotional, immersive book, but it could have been shorter.
My thoughts:
- I liked the depiction of the rehab facility. I don't know how accurate it was, for the time it was written, or for now. But the approach to the actual rehabilitation process seemed valid. The story continued after she left the facility and covered how she adjusted to recovery from her addictions. This sounds like it would be a sad story, and there were plenty of low points. But there is also humor throughout.
- I empathized strongly with Rachel, even though her experiences and what she was looking for in life seemed very different from mine. I liked the emphasis on how the events in one's childhood can mold you, and how different personalities react to the same childhood experiences.
- This book had more emphasis on romance than I care for. It also had a little more sex and too much detail in that area than I wanted. However, I don't want to give the wrong impression, for most readers it would be fine.
- There are a lot of interesting characters, both those going through rehab and the counselors. None of them got the attention and character development that Rachel did, especially since she is the narrator of the story, but they offered looks at different types of addictions and different reasons behind it.
- Most of the books I read set in Ireland are crime fiction; it was interesting to read about family settings, daily life, and relationships in a non-crime fiction setting.
- Overall I enjoyed the book. I intend to keep reading the books in this series as long as I like them. And I will read The Mystery of Mercy Close for sure.
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Publisher: William Morrow, 2002. Orig. pub. 1998.
Length: 565 pages
Format: Trade Paperback
Series: Walsh Family, #2
Setting: Dublin, Ireland
Genre: Fiction
Source: I purchased this book.
16 comments:
I rarely read this sort of book but might enjoy it. Is she related to Francis Parkinson Keyes, I wonder.
Many years ago I half read Rachel's Holiday. Never finished it though. Maybe it was too long for me. I remember Rachel being funny and empathetic but also as I recall she was in denial about her addiction. Didn't know the book was part of a series.
Patti, This is not my normal reading either. The first book, Watermelon, was more fun even though it was about a woman whose husband left her immediately after their child was born. This book was more serious and I could relate to how family issues affect you. Re Francis Parkinson Keyes, I doubt there is a relationship, since Marian Keyes is an Irish author, but you never know. I was amazed how many of the sisters end up working in New York at some point.
Kathy, I did not like the length of this one, but that was my only complaint. I think this is the longest one in the series but all the books are 450 pages or more.
Yes, Rachel was in denial for a long time, and that seemed amazing to me, but it happens. I like that it is a series about sisters, and all of them are very different.
I'm a bit ambivilent about Marian Keyes. As she a person she's really funny with a great deal of self-deprecating Irish wit. And I enjoyed one of her books of essays. But I've tried a couple of her fiction books and can't get on with them, the subject matter is often not for me. Realy glad you're enjoying her books though.
You wrote a nice review, Tracy. I've not read anything by this author, but I might at some point. I've been reading a bit outside my normal mystery section lately and I think that's good for me at times. Kind of gives me a bit of a 'reset' and then back to crime solving. Anything to keep from having a 'reading slump' - ha!
The majority of my Irish reading has been novels by Maeve Binchy, who focuses on people and relationships. I loved her books, but I'm not sure this story entices me. Maybe I should look up some of her other books.
Cath, I resisted these books because they are all categorized as chick lit on Goodreads, but the author says she does not write chick lit, and I agree. (The definition of chick lit is kind of loose anyway, but that is a different subject.) I like this series of books (which did not start out to be a series) because of the family relationships, but I know nothing about the rest of her books. I will be lucky to find and read all of this series.
Thanks, Kay. I have been reading a lot of books outside of my normal reads lately. I like most of what I am reading, but it means I am not keeping up with mystery authors as much, both old and new. Mysteries go much quicker for me because they have more of an obvious focus.
Kelly, I liked this story because of its focus on addiction and recovery, but it was also hard to follow a character who was in denial for so much of a long book. The next book in the series is about the "perfect" daughter who always followed the rules, married a good man, etc., etc. Until she leaves her husband and flees to Hollywood. That comes the closest to the role that I had in my family. So I thought it might be interesting personally.
I have not read anything by Maeve Binchy. Maybe next year for Reading Ireland I should pick a book by that author.
This does sound like the sort of book that draws a person in with its atmosphere, Tracy. And I do like the Irish setting. It's interesting, too, when a book places an emphasis on character development. I'm glad you found things to like about it.
565 pages is a bit too long. I usually like rehab kinds of stories ... because I have sympathy for the protagonists. I have not read Keyes yet but I'd like to. I usually love Irish books. I'm glad you reviewed & mostly liked this one.
I read one of Keyes 'chick lit' books years and years ago, and did enjoy it, but haven't read any of her more recent books. Good to know what she's been writing lately. :D
Margot, these books have a lot to offer, and the Irish setting is good. Sort of a look at normal family life, if there is such a thing.
Yes, Susan, the book is too long. More recently I finished a fantasy book that was about 670 pages and that was hard to do. And it was tense for at least the last half of the book. Worth it but still I would prefer a more reasonable length.
The rehab setting was very interesting, especially since TV shows make such settings look so luxurious. I did see one Leverage episode where the rehab setting seemed realistic and used to good effect.
Lark, I look forward to reading as many of Keyes' books in the Walsh family series as I can. This year I am hoping to find some of them at the annual book sale.
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