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yasmintownsend's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
pinecone22's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
patchworkbunny's review against another edition
4.0
The Radleys live in a village in Yorkshire. They are your typical middle class family, Peter is a doctor, Helen paints inoffensive watercolours, they have a son and a daughter, Rowan and Clara. Rowan feels like a freak at school and is subjected to daily bullying. Clara is quiet and has moved from vegetarian phase to full blown vegan. They have an uncle no one talks about and the kids don't even know he exists. To the outside world, they just seem a little odd but underneath they are harbouring a dark secret.
If you don't want to know what their secret is, stop reading now. You may also want to avoid other reviews and marketing bumpf as the synopsis provided by Canongate is pretty clear. I know some people might like working it out for themselves so I'm giving you fair warning...
They keep their curtains closed on summer days, the children are painfully pale and apply sunscreen before school each day and they are pro red meat. One thing that the Radleys don't do is drink blood, because whilst you may have guessed that they are vampires they abstain.
Before you click away thinking “Oh no, not another vampire book”, The Radleys is not some heady romance or action-packed fantasy yarn. No, these vampires live a fairly ordinary life. Matt Haig's prose is witty and entertaining. It's a tale about what happens when you try to be something you're not.
If you don't want to know what their secret is, stop reading now. You may also want to avoid other reviews and marketing bumpf as the synopsis provided by Canongate is pretty clear. I know some people might like working it out for themselves so I'm giving you fair warning...
They keep their curtains closed on summer days, the children are painfully pale and apply sunscreen before school each day and they are pro red meat. One thing that the Radleys don't do is drink blood, because whilst you may have guessed that they are vampires they abstain.
Before you click away thinking “Oh no, not another vampire book”, The Radleys is not some heady romance or action-packed fantasy yarn. No, these vampires live a fairly ordinary life. Matt Haig's prose is witty and entertaining. It's a tale about what happens when you try to be something you're not.
haley09's review against another edition
dark
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
rpych2's review against another edition
4.0
Matt Haig is slowly becoming one of my favorite authors, because I’ve liked everything that I’ve read of his. The Radleys was no exception, and his style of not quite fantasy but not quite literary fiction just works for me. This particular book was about a family of vampires living as normal humans until something happens and the children are finally told of their heritage.
I love the main lesson of the story so much, it’s one that everyone should apply to their own lives. It’s a story about accepting who you are and being happy with that, not trying to live as someone you aren’t. The characters were all great too, though the teenagers Clara, Rowan, and Eve were my favorites. Not my favorite Haig, but one I will definitely revisit in the future.
I love the main lesson of the story so much, it’s one that everyone should apply to their own lives. It’s a story about accepting who you are and being happy with that, not trying to live as someone you aren’t. The characters were all great too, though the teenagers Clara, Rowan, and Eve were my favorites. Not my favorite Haig, but one I will definitely revisit in the future.
taimcpherson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I read The Radleys for my book club and it's pretty much the only reason I finished it. Matt Haig writes incredibly well but I just don't do vampire stories .
The beginning was promising, but the story dragged until the very end, which was also sort of predictable. It was an OK read, but nothing special.
The beginning was promising, but the story dragged until the very end, which was also sort of predictable. It was an OK read, but nothing special.
julieprosser's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
rachxedge's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
_david_'s review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Barely anything in this book felt interesting to me. I didn't like any of the characters and their motivations, the plot was also easy to guess. The style of writing and the short chapters did make for an easy read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Blood, Addiction, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Moderate: Self harm, Body shaming, Cannibalism, Classism, Sexual assault, Stalking, Death, Alcohol, Bullying, Kidnapping, Sexual violence, Death of parent, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Medical content, and Rape
Minor: Alcoholism