wendoxford's review against another edition
3.0
It is always a delight to launch into a new Marian Keyes novel. Her style, her dialogue and wit, her interplay with characters is second to none.
I loved the first half of this book. Immersion into Walsh life was great along with an in-depth drawing of both family and work dynamics. The impact and helplessness of the dive into deep grief and addiction was visceral and I was completely caught up in the story. However, at the point of the book when it felt (to me) as if the strands were coming to a head and the book's conclusion was imminent, there were another 200 pages. Whilst I fully understand that the journey between facing issues and the next stage of life is never a direct, clear route, this felt ridiculously over-extended. I found some of the moving forward narrative just too tailored.
Despite my misgivings and a sense that this could have been two novels instead of one, I did enjoy the read. Keyes can visit dark areas of life and toss around devil's advocate inner thoughts to create intelligently crafted, beautifully rounded characters.
I loved the first half of this book. Immersion into Walsh life was great along with an in-depth drawing of both family and work dynamics. The impact and helplessness of the dive into deep grief and addiction was visceral and I was completely caught up in the story. However, at the point of the book when it felt (to me) as if the strands were coming to a head and the book's conclusion was imminent, there were another 200 pages. Whilst I fully understand that the journey between facing issues and the next stage of life is never a direct, clear route, this felt ridiculously over-extended. I found some of the moving forward narrative just too tailored.
Despite my misgivings and a sense that this could have been two novels instead of one, I did enjoy the read. Keyes can visit dark areas of life and toss around devil's advocate inner thoughts to create intelligently crafted, beautifully rounded characters.
maink's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
steffidaydreamer's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
hanac's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
marryallthepeople's review
4.0
Wonderful sequel! I loved hearing about Rachel's journey, her life, her family and her internal monologue.
ailsa_r's review
5.0
Another brilliant Marian Keyes book. Loved revisting the Walsh family and as usual it covers difficult topics with humour. The middle of the book was so true that it broke me so well written was Rachel's pain. It had me cry. The ending was just perfect too.
roelia's review
5.0
Having read "Rachel's Holiday" in January 2022 for the first time, in anticipation of "Again, Rachel", I was probably a very late bloomer when it comes to Marian Keyes' books. I did know (and now fully understand the extend of it) that she's got a whole army of very devout fans who literally count down to the release of her newest publication. I totally get that. Marian write with such wit and humour, whilst also managing to address serious social issues like addiction, depression, etc. When the title and cover of "Again, Rachel" was released I had so many questions. What did Rachel do AGAIN? Do I really want to know? Will I be disappointed? Well, without giving too many spoilers away, it was such a rollercoaster ride! I also feel that, with "Again, Rachel" we got a deeper peek into the Walsh Family - and now I just want to read ALL he books! I do think that you will definitely have to read "Rachel's Holiday" to understand and enjoy "Again, Rachel", but believe me - you will love both reads! 5/5 for me - it was the first book in a very, very long time that gave me a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes!
annmarie_in_november's review
5.0
5 stars
SO GOOD!! I'm giving it the maximum 5 stars but my real rating is more like a thousand stars!! LOL. Marian Keyes is so, so funny - dark and wry and off-the-cuff hilarious. She writes with such emotional intelligence. At times I was just in such complete awe at how deftly she layered the character development. The emotions are so raw and real and vibrant. Rachel is so well-written and memorable, a true joy to spend time with and watch her grow.
I'm so glad I read the two Rachel novels back-to-back. Despite the 20+ years between them, the one flows seamlessly into the other and Keyes has picked up Rachel's story decades on with such style and aplomb. Rachel is madcap, earnest, witty, giving and so sharply observant, and yet she also has the most enormous cognitive dissonance about herself. This is clear in both book one, when she is a deep-in-denial drug addict, and here in book two, when she is an older, wiser woman who is herself an addiction counsellor helping others, but who nonetheless has to take a painful journey to realise that as an addict she is never 'recovered' and always 'in recovery'.
This is chiefly in relation to the breakup of her relationship with Luke, who left her six years ago for reasons the novel takes slow and measured time to unfurl. Even when the painful, tragic story is revealed, Rachel's take on events differs to Luke's version, and it's wonderful to see how clever Keyes is in showing that neither of them is in the right or in the wrong, but more so, both of their versions fit together as one full truth, like pieces of a puzzle.
Rachel's relationship with Luke is one of the most intense and well-written romances I've come across in recent memory. Holy crap, some of the love scenes were on fire, again due to how well Keyes wielded emotions and sensations. I felt like I was literally there, the tension was insane, the buildup and longing so palpable. The two are middle-aged now and have spent years apart, but Keyes manages to emphasise their connection so powerfully that I, along with Rachel, went from hating him and being so cross with him, to slowly warming to him, to falling in love with him all over again.
I miss Rachel and her mad sisters and mother already, so I might be tempted into reading the other Walsh books just to get another chance to spend time with them all, though I fear none will surpass how wonderful this one was.
SO GOOD!! I'm giving it the maximum 5 stars but my real rating is more like a thousand stars!! LOL. Marian Keyes is so, so funny - dark and wry and off-the-cuff hilarious. She writes with such emotional intelligence. At times I was just in such complete awe at how deftly she layered the character development. The emotions are so raw and real and vibrant. Rachel is so well-written and memorable, a true joy to spend time with and watch her grow.
I'm so glad I read the two Rachel novels back-to-back. Despite the 20+ years between them, the one flows seamlessly into the other and Keyes has picked up Rachel's story decades on with such style and aplomb. Rachel is madcap, earnest, witty, giving and so sharply observant, and yet she also has the most enormous cognitive dissonance about herself. This is clear in both book one, when she is a deep-in-denial drug addict, and here in book two, when she is an older, wiser woman who is herself an addiction counsellor helping others, but who nonetheless has to take a painful journey to realise that as an addict she is never 'recovered' and always 'in recovery'.
This is chiefly in relation to the breakup of her relationship with Luke, who left her six years ago for reasons the novel takes slow and measured time to unfurl. Even when the painful, tragic story is revealed, Rachel's take on events differs to Luke's version, and it's wonderful to see how clever Keyes is in showing that neither of them is in the right or in the wrong, but more so, both of their versions fit together as one full truth, like pieces of a puzzle.
Rachel's relationship with Luke is one of the most intense and well-written romances I've come across in recent memory. Holy crap, some of the love scenes were on fire, again due to how well Keyes wielded emotions and sensations. I felt like I was literally there, the tension was insane, the buildup and longing so palpable. The two are middle-aged now and have spent years apart, but Keyes manages to emphasise their connection so powerfully that I, along with Rachel, went from hating him and being so cross with him, to slowly warming to him, to falling in love with him all over again.
I miss Rachel and her mad sisters and mother already, so I might be tempted into reading the other Walsh books just to get another chance to spend time with them all, though I fear none will surpass how wonderful this one was.
susimills's review against another edition
4.0
It was nice seeing Rachel and Luke again but honestly seemed kinda pointless because the people they got with when they broke up were obviously not going to last as they were pretty unlikeable but I liked seeing Luke and Rachel back together in the final chapters, their moments together bumped this up to a 4 star as I like their relationship, but the rest of the book was very un needed but was fun to read because I like the family.
mrswhiscombe's review
4.0
Oh I missed Rachel and Luke. It was brilliant to find out what happened. So sad about Yara but a happy needing where they were back where they belonging. The eneded I wanted and needed.