Rebecca Hardiman's debut novel revolves around a multigenerational Irish family living in Dun Laoghaire, Dublin, a small gossipy place where everyone knows everyone. Feisty gran, 83 year old Millie is a real live wire, with her dangerous driving, penchant for shoplifting and plans to grow old disgracefully. Her middle aged son is the put upon and exhausted Kevin, a stay at home father to four children, an out of work journalist in an occupation that has been turned upside down. However, it is his troubled, misunderstood, rebellious, hormonal and angst ridden 16 year old twin daughter, Aideen, that is making him want to tear his hair out, along with Aideen's ill feelings directed towards her twin, Nuala.
Kevin's wife is out at work, trying to financially support the family and barely there as a presence. It is all too much for him, and matters come to a head with him bringing in a home aide, the American Sylvia, to keep an eye on Millie, fearful of the prospect of ending up in a nursing home. He puts Aideen into a boarding school for girls, where she promptly becomes friends with another troublemaker. Under the mistaken misapprehension that his problems are mostly resolved, he is looking forward to finding a job, getting waylaid by a romantic interest, little does he know that more chaos is to ensue. Whilst Sylvia initially seems to settle in well, issues arise that have Millie and Aideen join forces.
There is much to enjoy in the capers and in dysfunctional Gocarty's off the wall family dynamics, but the humour in it was a hit and miss affair for me and the narrative often ventured into what for me was much too ridiculous territory. Nevertheless, this is an entertaining and engaging family drama, an emotional roller coaster of a book that will appeal to many readers seeking a light hearted, escapist contemporary Irish novel. The star and highlight for me the gran, the vibrant Millie, seeking to live her life to the full.
Kevin's wife is out at work, trying to financially support the family and barely there as a presence. It is all too much for him, and matters come to a head with him bringing in a home aide, the American Sylvia, to keep an eye on Millie, fearful of the prospect of ending up in a nursing home. He puts Aideen into a boarding school for girls, where she promptly becomes friends with another troublemaker. Under the mistaken misapprehension that his problems are mostly resolved, he is looking forward to finding a job, getting waylaid by a romantic interest, little does he know that more chaos is to ensue. Whilst Sylvia initially seems to settle in well, issues arise that have Millie and Aideen join forces.
There is much to enjoy in the capers and in dysfunctional Gocarty's off the wall family dynamics, but the humour in it was a hit and miss affair for me and the narrative often ventured into what for me was much too ridiculous territory. Nevertheless, this is an entertaining and engaging family drama, an emotional roller coaster of a book that will appeal to many readers seeking a light hearted, escapist contemporary Irish novel. The star and highlight for me the gran, the vibrant Millie, seeking to live her life to the full.