Title: AGAIN, RACHEL
Author: Marian Keyes
ISBN: 978 0241 4411 38
Publisher: Michale Joseph
Pages: 581
Source: Private Copy
In her twenties, Rachel Walsh was a mess.
Since her spell in rehab, though, she’s come a long way on the road to recovery – and now, she’s ready to go back to where it all began. But this time, the student has become the teacher. She used to hate the staff in charge of treating her addiction. Now, she’s one of them.
Rachel’s finally got herself on track – but life never stops being messy.
And when an old flame resurfaces, will she go back to who she once was? Or nearing fifty, can she find herself all over again?
Official Summary
16 August 2023
I loved Rachel’s Holiday so naturally I had to read Again, Rachel. While these books are nowhere near my genre of choice, I have fallen in love with the Walsh family. These characters are simply fantastic. I love the way Marian Keyes highlights serious issues while adding just enough humour not to leave the reader feeling morbid.
Marian Keyes has certainly shown me that exploring different genres can be a wonderful new reading experience. If you, like me, have left this book sitting on your TBR due to the size of the book – don’t. It is a fantastic read and despite the page count, I found myself flying through this one.
Opening this book, I expected to find a light-hearted, funny story. While the author managed to maintain easy humour, I found this book to be serious and even had some tears to wipe away. Marian Keyes has a wonderful storytelling style and she manages to bring a serious message with a touch of humour. Rachel is guaranteed to steal your heart and I am very keen to read more of the books in the Walsh series
Rachel was a mess in her twenties, but now she is in her forties and it seems as if she finally has herself sorted out. However, when Luke turns up in her life again, Rachel is forced to look back on events that lead to their divorce and finds that things may not be as she choices to remember them.
I must admit that Marian Keyes has forced me to admit that I might have been wrong about the genre. An emotional, feel-good story with some humour thrown into the mix is a fabulous escape. Again, Rachel is all of that. I loved the message and the fact that this book had me laughing and crying. I do not think I have read any other book that has left me laughing one minute and wiping away a tear the next. Perhaps I am just becoming a little emotional with age.
Rachel Walsh is a brilliant character. Meeting the messed-up version of Rachel in Rachel’s Holiday, it was wonderful to see her clean and sorted at the start of Again, Rachel. As the story unfolds and you realise that everything may not be as perfect as it appears. As Rachel relives her break-up with Luke and the events that lead to that you see that she is still not being very honest with herself and as reality forces its way into her mind you share her shock at all the things she chooses to not acknowledge.
This is a fantastic read and I have happy to say that this book has sneaked into my top ten for the year despite it not being my genre of choice.
This book will appeal to readers who enjoy a light, easy-reading book that packs a punch. This book is an emotional roller coaster ride and you will find yourself only giving the serious issues raised any thought once you close the book. I enjoyed every minute I spent in Rachel’s world and recommend that if you haven’t yet, you give this book a try. You will not be disappointed. This is without a doubt chic-lit at its best.
Also By Marian Keyes
Rachel's Holiday
Meet Rachel Walsh. She has a pair of size 8 feet and such a fondness for recreational drugs that her family has forked out the cash for a spell in Cloisters – Dublin’s answer to the Betty Ford Clinic. She’s only agreed to her incarceration because she’s heard that rehab is wall-to-wall jacuzzis, gymnasiums and rock stars going tepid turkey – and it’s about time she had a holiday.
But what Rachel doesn’t count on are the toe-curling embarrassments heaped on her by family and group therapy, the dearth of sex, drugs and rock’n’roll – and missing Luke, her ex. What kind of a new start in life is this?
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
Marian Keyes (born 10 September 1963) is an Irish novelist and non-fiction writer, best known for her work in women’s literature. She is an Irish Book Awards winner. Over 22 million copies of her novels have been sold worldwide and her books have been translated into 32 languages. She became known worldwide for Watermelon, Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married, and This Charming Man, with themes including domestic violence and alcoholism.
Thank you for visiting the blog and reading my review. I apologise if you were hoping for another Crime/Thriller review. Not to worry, while I loved this book and hight recommend it, I will always return to the darker stuff out there. If you stop by tomorrow, you will find a review of a fabulously dark psychological thriller.
