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Original poster

New Marian Keyes....anyone excited?

92 replies

Spidey66 · 15/02/2022 12:32

So, this Thursday is the release of Again, Rachel, the 25 year sequel to Rachel's Holiday, which is possibly one of my all time favourite books. I do love her books but Rachel's Holiday is my stand out. I must have read it and re read it god knows how many times.

I've preordered it on my Kindle and am biting my nails with excitement!

Anyone else looking forward to it?

OP posts:
ABitBesottedWithMyDog · 18/02/2022 07:12

I'm excited and am expecting a return to form. Getting inside Rachel's head will help MK find her witty, observant voice again.

Silvetmoon · 18/02/2022 07:11

I’ve read it and while there are glimmers, it’s nothing like the old Rachel….

Flatandhappy · 18/02/2022 07:07

I’m sitting outside with a glass of wine (early Friday evening here) alternating between reading the book and faffing around on MN. Part of me thinks that if I was really enjoying it I would just keep reading rather than picking up my iPad every ten minutes 😁

Dustyblue · 18/02/2022 06:49

Agree that MK is a bit hit and miss. The Brightest Star in the Sky was pretty terrible, whereas I loved This Charming Man. Loved Rachel's Holiday, thought Angels was crap etc.

I'll borrow this from the library, it has to be better than Grown Ups.

tribpot · 18/02/2022 06:32

A separate spoiler thread would be useful @DoingsSophie as I'm lurking on here to get views on whether to buy it. I loved Rachel's Holiday and I would rather not read the sequel if it doesn't feel like a credible continuation of the story.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who struggled with Mercy Close.

DoingsSophie · 18/02/2022 04:56

I have read it all, can we talk spoilers here or do we need another thread? I rate it 7/10.

Hydrate · 18/02/2022 03:07

Sorry, meant to say, I agree but I won't wait to buy it, I am pretty sure it will be another winner.

Hydrate · 18/02/2022 03:05

@22Newnames

Another one who loved her earlier books but Grown Ups was really hard work. Very rare that I give up on a book without finishing but I did with that one.

I’ll wait and see what people say about the new one and maybe buy it when it’s cheaper.

I'll be buying it.
ChessieFL · 18/02/2022 02:14

Read it all yesterday and loved it!,

QueenofWhatever · 17/02/2022 17:30

Thanks for the heads up. I really enjoyed Grown Ups and listened to it as an audiobook from the library, worked really well as she writes dialogue well.

ChessieFL · 17/02/2022 16:40

The ages don’t always quite tie up in the other Walsh books too - can’t remember the details but I did try and work it all out once when I reread them all in order (yes I’m sad like that)

TheMooch · 17/02/2022 16:02

@Mumoftwoinprimary

I’m 26% of the way through. Enjoying it so far.

However…..she has messed up the maths!

In Watermelon Claire is 29 and gives birth to Kate. Helen is in first year university so 18/19. Kate is now 23. Therefore Helen is 42 / 43.

But…. they have given Helen’s age as 39. (To be exact they said that Helen met Bella when Helen was 33 and Bella was 9 and Bella is now 15.)

(I’m a mathematician - I like to get the numbers straight in my head!)

Arghhhh it annoys me when they get their characters wrong. I can't read Jane Fallon anymore because the main character in her book was brunette then blonde overnight with no trip to the salon.
SOLINVICTUS · 17/02/2022 14:36

I may buy it on Kindle when it drops to 99p but I haven't liked any MK's after Sushi for Beginners.
My favourites were Lucy Sullivan and Last Chance Saloon.
Of the Walsh books I didn't mind Rachel, but probably preferred Watermelon.

Original poster
Spidey66 · 17/02/2022 14:31

I havent looked at my kindle yet as Im wfh and dont want to get distracted. Damn work!

OP posts:
LittleDiaries · 17/02/2022 13:04

Mine arrived this morning too. Hoping to start reading soon.

Mumoftwoinprimary · 17/02/2022 12:32

I’m 26% of the way through. Enjoying it so far.

However…..she has messed up the maths!

In Watermelon Claire is 29 and gives birth to Kate. Helen is in first year university so 18/19. Kate is now 23. Therefore Helen is 42 / 43.

But…. they have given Helen’s age as 39. (To be exact they said that Helen met Bella when Helen was 33 and Bella was 9 and Bella is now 15.)

(I’m a mathematician - I like to get the numbers straight in my head!)

ChessieFL · 17/02/2022 11:39

It’s arrived!!

WhyPaulMemory · 17/02/2022 08:16

[quote HollowTalk]@mrsnec I have tried to read that book a few times and just can't do it. I only like the Walsh girls but hated Mercy Close. Helen is by far the most interesting character and I thought she just got her completely wrong there. I am half dreading reading this new book![/quote]
I thought exactly the same! I can see that Helen would be difficult to write as a real person as she almost verges on caricature in some of them (but I do love her!), but Mercy Close just wasn’t right at all. I think she was in quite bad place when she wrote it. Love the other Walsh girls novels and have read a few of the others and enjoyed.

I’m a bit nervous about sequels, especially as this one is so long after Rachel’s Holiday. Might see what the reception is like first!

JacquelineCarlyle · 17/02/2022 00:08

I might wait to see what you guys think before giving it a go!

Iamthewombat · 16/02/2022 23:47

She hasn’t written a good book since This Charming Man. I really hope she hasn’t ruined Rachel, who was the subject of the best thing she ever wrote (Rachel’s Holiday).

Drywhitefruitycidergin · 16/02/2022 23:08

I'm excited but nervous about it. Loved Rachel's Holiday so much at the time. Might be due a re-read before the new one.
I did read the preview chapter of Rachel Again on Christmas day. Let's see....

Cherryblossoms85 · 16/02/2022 22:55

Her writing really changed after her depression got worse. I want to like it!

ENoeuf · 16/02/2022 22:55

Not after buying Grown Ups and realising her early appeal is lost.

JacquelineCarlyle · 16/02/2022 22:52

Oh wow, didn't realise there was a sequel! Will have to get it! Thanks Op, just hope it's good!

22Newnames · 16/02/2022 22:51

Another one who loved her earlier books but Grown Ups was really hard work. Very rare that I give up on a book without finishing but I did with that one.

I’ll wait and see what people say about the new one and maybe buy it when it’s cheaper.