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Summary: Rachel's Holiday Is Filled With Laughter and Tears
Review: Marian Keyes explores the most complex of the Walsh sisters as she tells the story of twenty-seven year old Rachel, the middle daughter of the whacky Walsh clan. While Claire's story was told more light-heartedly in WATERMELON and sister Maggie's story was the subject of ANGELS, middle sister Rachel suffers the most serious problems in the family---drug and alcohol addiction. I had put off reading this one for a long time fearing it would be too depressing, but after being captivated by Marian Keyes style in LUCY SULLIVAN IS GETTING MARRIED, LAST CHANCE SALOON and others, I decided to give this one a try. Although the same biting humor is present and the wonderfully conversational tone is used by the first-person narrator, this book tackles a much more serious problem than her others and therefore packs a grimmer punch. Though Rachel considers her drug abuse just a form of socializing, her family is justifiably concerned when she ends up in a New York City hospital nearly dead from an overdose. They whisk her home to Dublin to a rehab center. Adamant that she is not a druggie, Rachel only consents to being admitted because she hopes to meet rock stars and other celebrities. What Rachel does encounter is other people like herself who abuse drugs, alcohol, food, sex, whatever. There are no celebs, just dowdy men clad in brown sweaters and unhappy women deep in denial. She feels above them and takes a long time (nearly 400 pages) before she realizes that she too is an addict. I thought the best part of this book was when she leaves rehab and struggles with staying clean and sober in the real world. All is not rosy and Rachel hits rock bottom before winding up in the hospital again. Can she ever come to terms with her parents perceived dislike of her? Can she overcome her feelings of being the least pretty and least bright of the five Walsh sisters? Will she reconcile with the friends she has hurt, the siblings she is jealous of, and the boyfriend who just can't take any more? Rachel's journey is not a pleasant one. Her situation is serious and only her hang-tough humor and deep vulnerability kept me rooting for her to overcome her demons. Marian Keyes gives a disturbingly accurate portrayal of someone whose life has spun out of control and the long and difficult journey necessary to gain self-respect.
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Summary: Rachel is a very funny character, this book was great
Review: Rachel is an Irish young woman who lives in Manhattan, NY. She has a best friend and roommate who is her running partner. They club together, bar hop together, do drugs together and they have a jolly good time painting the town red! Rachel, however takes her fun a little too far and indulges in narcotics beyond the social level. Her family, friends and boyfriend notice a big problem and all decide it would be best for her to go back to Ireland and seek help at a Betty Ford type clinic. Rachel of course, "doesn't have a problem" everyone is just overreacting. She does go along in the hopes that she does find a rockstar at the clinic, but she doesn't. She only finds the truth and the truth hurts! Initially I didn't like this book because I was expecting something else; I hadn't read any reviews on this book, so I thought that Rachel was going on vacation. I didn't know her holiday was at a Rehab. After I accepted what the book was about, I LOVED it and I enjoyed it. Rachel is a riot, she is hilariously funny and even with her problems, I found myself liking her. I would laugh out loud on my bus commute home reading this book. I think Marian Keyes did a wonderful job and it was great to get an idea of the goings on inside a rehab clinic. I would definitely read another book by this author. If you want to chuckle, pick this book up.
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Summary: Rachel's Holiday
Review: One of the most entertaining books I've read in a very long time.
Not only did I truly enjoy the story and its characters, I am in love with Marian Keyes' writing style. I have found myself going back and re-reading passages because I just so enjoy her turn of phrase.
I look forward to more!
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Summary: Loved it.
Review: The fact that the narrator cannot be trusted is just half the fun. Rachel is an Irish abroad in NYC who is dating a guy stuck in the 70s, trying to hold down a job, and doing a lot of drugs. A wakeup call comes in the form of an overdose, and her family whisks her away to a treatment center back on her native isle. Rachel is blessed with a wicked and twisted sense of humor, refreshing innocence in spite of her jaded actions, and an acute perception of those around her. Do not believe what the addict says, but she sure is entertaining! It is worth plowing desperately through the novel at break-neck speed (in my case, 3 days) just for the gratification of the simple, old-fashioned ending. Its not often that a book rewards a reader in such a way. Every time a character crosses an ocean for the right reason you just have to smile. Have a laugh and get your dose of drama - travel sized for your convenience.
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Summary: Great Book
Review: When I first started this book, I didn't think I was going to like it - the setting seemed like sort of a downer. But the characters quickly become interesting and Rachel's situation becomes more and more realistic. I would strongly recommend this book for a summer read (or any other time!). I have yet to read a book by Marian Keyes that I didn't thoroughly enjoy.
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Summary: Best Marian Keyes
Review: I've read all of this author's books, and this is by far my favourite. Funny and sad, and nice and thick, so you can really get your teeth into it. Definitely one of the better examples of "chick lit", it probably won't change your life, but it will provide a nice distraction for a few hours.
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Summary: Addicting!
Review: Somehow Marian Keyes tackles a weighty subject with insight and humor at the same time-amazing! A gripping story with a character you will root for. Well worth your time. Fans of Keyes will love Shade of the Maple by Kirk Martin - another WOW!
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Summary: Another Hit by Marian Keyes
Review: I started this book with high expectations because Keyes fans all told me this was Marian's best. Well, I love all of her books equally even after this one, they are all simply fabulous. This is the story of the middle Walsh sister Rachel's coming of age. In her mid-late twenties, and living in NYC with her best friend from Dublin, Rachel constantly struggles with how people perceive her. Insecure and immature, she uses drugs as a way to cope with everything, without realizing how much she uses them.
The dichotomy between Rachel's development and her roommate's helps us see the magnitude of Rachel's drug problem. Brigit gets promotions and new jobs, where as Rachel parties, skips work, and is unfaithful and mean to her wonderful boyfriend simply because she is quite certain that even though she likes him, he is not cool enough. Well, eventually she over doses and lands herself in a hospital. Despite her certainty that she does not have a problem, her parents take her to the Cloisters, a rehab center for various kinds of addicts. At first Rachel is angry at everyone for putting her in this place, but since she believes there will be stars and famous people there she accepts her fate. But when she realizes this is not a retreat for the stars, she has to succumb to the treatment and the realization that she does have a problem. Confronted by her boyfriend, her family and her best friend, she begins to see herself more clearly. Only then is she able to transform herself. This is a wonderful and often times funny coming of age story. All of the Walsh sisters are a delight to read about, and Rachel is surely no exception. My favorite thing of all about Keyes, aside from excellent characters, great love stories, and consistent laughs, is that the endings leave you feeling satisfied and ready to move on to the next story Ms. Keyes presents us with. I already have Angels by my bedside.
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Summary: Absolutely fantastic book
Review: This is the second Keyes book I read. I bought Last Chance Saloon on a whim and was hooked. When I finished it, I went out and got Rachel's Holiday. I couldn't put it down. Now I'm hooked. I want to read Watermelon and can't wait for the next book!
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Summary: Actually Took the Book to DInner with My Family
Review: I ususally can only be found reading my textbooks for school (I am a painting major at UCF), but when I started this book on a vacation I spent every free moment reading it! It was just catchy and humorous. Not exactly a deep novel, but was a light-hearted approch to a serious subject, addiction. I read the entire book almost without stopping. I found it easy to relate to the characters and there seemed to be someone from my life that was similar to the characters in the book. A great read for a beach day or plane ride. Last Chance Saloon by Keyes is delightful as well.
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