Rachel's Holiday

[JaneJeffer]

Marian Keyes has written a sequel coming out next February called Rachel Again. Looking forward to reading it.

That’s interesting - I loved Rachel”s Holiday

Oh great, I love Rachel's Holiday, her best book IMO.

It's actually called Again, Rachel not Rachel Again. Can't wait for more Luke Costello

I'm dreading this! It's one of my favourite books, though I felt that when Rachel appeared in another book (about Anna, maybe) she seemed subdued and as though her character had changed - not in a good way, either.

I still wish I hadn't read Mercy Close, Helen's story. It was written when Marian was very depressed and in the story Helen suffers from depression, too. Again that didn't tie in with how I thought of Helen in the other four books.

I love the Walsh series, though.

I wasn't too bothered about Rachel being different in Anna's book - we were seeing her from Anna's point of view and the sisters are all at least as inclined as average to live in their own worlds.

I agree that Helen's story was a big disappointment.

I was pissed off by Angels as well - this was a character change that couldn't be handwaved away by "different viewpoint" (and didn't even really scrape in with the "terrible secret" excuse either) and just screamed to me that MK was finding it difficult to understand a character she had observed so well from the outside.

However, the "conversation" in Rachel's Holiday is my absolute favourite Unreliable Narrator and for that I can forgive her a lot.

It was the first book of hers I read, though my favourite is Last Chance Saloon.

I knew nothing about the storyline in Rachel's Holiday when I first read it in my early 20s. It was a powerful read as I had so much sympathy for her at first as I was still out and partying at weekends (when I wasn't too tired from work!). Then, as reading, I realised things were not as they seemed. I usually can guess a twist/work out how a story will go - even down to predicting what characters will say before they say it in films but this was a satisfying read.

I'm not sure I want to read a sequel! I haven't read The Testaments either. Don't mind planned trilogies though. Does anyone know if there was always going to be a sequel?

I was 21 when I read it so I wouldn't have thought so.

Sorry, meant to add I'm 43 now!

God, was it that long ago!!!

I'm pretty similar in age Kai.

Hopefully it'll be a good read.

Oh I loved Rachel's Holiday. Sadly super relatable and very insightful.

Posting now in the hope that someone posts on this thread in February to remind us to buy it!

Based on the rest of the books about the Walsh girls, I’m guessing Rachel’s relationship has unraveled again. I liked the character in Rachel’s Holiday so hopefully I will continue to in the next instalment.

Agree with PP about Helen also felt the same about Anna. Would like to read about how Claire is now.

Rachel’s Holiday is one of my favourite books and I am very excited about the sequel but also very nervous in case it doesn’t live up to the original.

A pp asked if a sequel was always intended - no it wasn’t, Marian said herself that she always used to say she would never do a sequel but has now changed her mind!

Interestingly, The Break was originally due to be a sequel to Claire’s story (Watermelon) but Marian said the storyline of The Break just wasn’t where she wanted the characters to go in the end so she changed it to be about completely new people (trying to be vague to avoid spoilers for anyone who hasn’t read Watermelon!). You can see some of the similarities though, one of the characters in The Break has a large family that is quite similar to the Walsh family.

Loved the Walsh family series. Rachel's Holiday was such a good book, if a dark topic. Loved Watermelon, Sushi for Beginners, all those ones.

But.

I have her latest one, Grown Ups, and just can't get into it. I don't like any of the characters and keep reading them as if they are American. I'll try again when I'm in hospital in a few weeks, but it might be one of her books I have to give up on :(

Sushi for Beginners is my favourite.

Loved Rachel’s Holiday. I must dig out all my old MK books and re-read them! I’ve not got all of them anymore, unfortunately.

@longtompot - I struggled with Grown Ups too. I found it got better the more I read and was enjoying it by the end.

@user1481837070

Loved Rachel’s Holiday. I must dig out all my old MK books and re-read them! I’ve not got all of them anymore, unfortunately.

@longtompot - I struggled with Grown Ups too. I found it got better the more I read and was enjoying it by the end.

I'm glad it's not just me. It shall have one last chance then it's off to the naughty step (back of the bookshelf) for it ;)

Oh yay! Can't wait for this. I haven't loved her more recent stuff so hopefully this will spell a return to her old form.

Also didn't get on with Grown Ups, I so wanted to love it! I might work my way through the old ones before this one comes out, I can barely remember Rachel's Holiday as I read it so long ago! I'd forgotten how many non-Walsh ones were brilliant too.

Hmm while I am excited to read it, I’m also a bit meh as her last few books have been bloody awful. I gave up on “Grown Ups” about a third through.

I think, bizarrely, she's got worse as a writer, rather than improving. Possibly due to her mental health?

I loved Rachel's Holiday, and Last Chance Saloon, but in recent years have really struggled to get into her books.

I haven't liked her recent ones either.

I love everything Marian’s done, but I agree nothing has quite hit the heights of Watermelon, Rachel’s Holiday or Last Chance Saloon.

OMG - I loved this book but must be well over 20 years when I first read it. Will have to re-read and look forward to the sequel. Fantastic news!