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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A really well done family drama that interrogates the ways in which adults get stuck in patterns established at youth. Even when they do deviate from it, they’re unaware of it and can’t seem to break free. A byproduct is a malaise that permeates most every character—but change, though painful, comes calling eventually. When it does, it showcases the adaptability and resilience of people thought broken.
I liked this a lot but I really like these ‘dysfunctional’ dramas centering a family full of secrets, stagnant, but pushed into frenetic change. The perspective switches often. The characterization feels well done. It’s funny and sad—actually landing the funny bits, a hard thing to do. Everyone is exposed for who they are and there is no capital V villain, though there are absolute assholes.
No one is spared. All very good.
I liked this a lot but I really like these ‘dysfunctional’ dramas centering a family full of secrets, stagnant, but pushed into frenetic change. The perspective switches often. The characterization feels well done. It’s funny and sad—actually landing the funny bits, a hard thing to do. Everyone is exposed for who they are and there is no capital V villain, though there are absolute assholes.
No one is spared. All very good.
I didn't not enjoy it, but not her best. I kept having to check the family tree to see who was who but after a few chapters you get the idea. I don't think I have ever read a book with so many characters plus being Irish names sometimes you are not even sure if they are male or female! It felt like reading a TV series where little by little you learn about the characters lives. I didn't like all of them, others I loved and related too! Not sure I'd recommend it, it's a loooonnnnggggg book for not a great deal of story. Touches on a few difficult topics, bulimia, finances, family issues and refugees but nothing too in depth.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Grown Ups by Marian Keyes is a sharp, funny, and emotional family drama. The seemingly perfect Casey family starts to unravel when one of them gets a concussion and spills everyone’s secrets. Keyes juggles multiple perspectives brilliantly, making the characters feel real and relatable.
It’s a bit slow in parts, and the large cast can be a lot to keep up with, but overall, it’s a witty, heartfelt read. A solid 4 stars—engaging, thought-provoking, and full of warmth.
One of Marian Keyes’ best ever. Not as funny as her usual books, but a great examination of family dynamics.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Casey brothers are all married with three very different wives and a mess of children. As they meet for various family events, secrets are revealed and some relationships are upended.
Holy Cannoli this was a long book! And slow! I'll preface this by saying that I'm a really big lover of Marian Keyes, but girlfriend needs and editor. She has messy Irish families to art form, but this family just didn't grab me. There wasn't any characters that I loved and jinky, there was a lot of them. I don't think I ever got any of the children straight other than Ferdia. Like so many characters. I couldn't keep track. Ferdia had two girlfriends? And then one disappeared? If my review is confusing, blame the book.
I have to say that I thought that it was really gross that there were two older people who sexually took advantage of younger characters. One was presented as slimy and one was angled as romantic; two star crossed lovers needing to get each other out of their system. It was exploitive and the portrayal left me uncomfortable.
Normally in Keyes' books there is a dark underlying theme, a nasty man gets his in the end, always a character you love to hate. Although there is one in this one (a few, honestly), it felt a bit contrived and empty. You knew from a few chapters in what this guy was going to do.
It was a long go, but I made it through. I'd rate it a solid "meh".
PS - I wish everyone would just leave poor Alanis alone. She knows what irony is now. We all know what irony is now. It's still a great song, we know you sing along when it comes on the radio.
Holy Cannoli this was a long book! And slow! I'll preface this by saying that I'm a really big lover of Marian Keyes, but girlfriend needs and editor. She has messy Irish families to art form, but this family just didn't grab me. There wasn't any characters that I loved and jinky, there was a lot of them. I don't think I ever got any of the children straight other than Ferdia. Like so many characters. I couldn't keep track. Ferdia had two girlfriends? And then one disappeared? If my review is confusing, blame the book.
I have to say that I thought that it was really gross that there were two older people who sexually took advantage of younger characters. One was presented as slimy and one was angled as romantic; two star crossed lovers needing to get each other out of their system. It was exploitive and the portrayal left me uncomfortable.
Normally in Keyes' books there is a dark underlying theme, a nasty man gets his in the end, always a character you love to hate. Although there is one in this one (a few, honestly), it felt a bit contrived and empty. You knew from a few chapters in what this guy was going to do.
It was a long go, but I made it through. I'd rate it a solid "meh".
PS - I wish everyone would just leave poor Alanis alone. She knows what irony is now. We all know what irony is now. It's still a great song, we know you sing along when it comes on the radio.
it's like being a fly on the wall to one large family and whilst I was expecting more drama and for it to be funnier I did still enjoy this family drama. The characters were well thought out and easy to relate to with detailed descriptions.. I'd have quite liked an epilogue to see where they all were a year from now, See how Nell's letter to her future self matched reality.
I found it a little slow in places and thought that this could have been just due to the genre of the book but also maybe a little too many pointless scenes / page fillers.
Overall the book was entertaining and fun to read, certainly makes you realise all families have a different life going on behind closed doors!
I found it a little slow in places and thought that this could have been just due to the genre of the book but also maybe a little too many pointless scenes / page fillers.
Overall the book was entertaining and fun to read, certainly makes you realise all families have a different life going on behind closed doors!
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious