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keen23's review against another edition
4.0
Australian. Little bit of an amnesia trope, but handled really well.
kellygoesgeocaching's review against another edition
4.0
Love the concept behind this book, saw one of the major plot twists coming a mile off but still enjoyed the book. One of the characters deserves a massive brick to the head (subtle, I know) but otherwise, it's a good, easy read.
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
Hello from the Gillespies by Monica McInerney is a very interesting book. It tells the story of Angela, her husband, Nick, and their children (what a group they are too). Every year Angela sends out a Christmas letter to all their friends. She normally does what many people do around the world--she tells half-truths and embellishes wherever she can! However, this year, Angela's heart is not into it. The family has had a rough time and she feels like venting. So for the fun of it, Angela writes a letter and tells the truth. She never intends for this letter to be seen by anyone but herself. Just as she is finishing the letter an accident happens with her son, Ig. He cuts off his finger and she has to rush him to the hospital. The family all shares one computer (something that would drive me nuts). Her husband, Nick, goes to use the computer and sees the letter. He thinks he is helping by sending out her Christmas letter on time. Unfortunately, Nick never takes the time to read the letter. The book covers the year after the letter and how the family changes, copes, and comes back together as a family. If I had this family, I think I would have run away screaming. Angela has the patience of a saint and I can certainly understand why she has such awful headaches. I love the ending of this book. The author tied up all the story lines nicely and left us with a good ending. This book was a delight to read. I hope you take a chance and read it and love it! I did receive a free copy of this book through Penguin's First to Read Program in exchange for an honest review.
jesslolsen's review against another edition
4.0
There was a lot going on in this book, but I guess with such a big family there are a lot of side stories to focus on. The books itself was a bit bigger than the 'standard' novel size too, so I didn't feel like the sub-plots were rushed. I was hooked from the first chapter so the extra storylines didn't bother me at all. About halfway through the story twisted and took it in a new direction, changing the characters.
I also loved reading about rural Australia and the different landscape/lifestyle out there.
I also loved reading about rural Australia and the different landscape/lifestyle out there.
courtisabel's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
philippakmoore's review against another edition
4.0
We’ve all got that email in our “drafts” folder….an email where we just let rip, said everything we were dying to say and were brutally honest, just getting it out, thinking no one would ever read it.
But what if that email accidentally got sent?
That’s the premise of “Hello from the Gillespies”, where super mum Angela’s usual Christmas email to all the family and friends reveals far more than she intended. Friends, neighbours and relatives think it’s the best letter ever – but not the people mentioned in it, Angela’s children and husband. They were a close family while the children were growing up but now most of the kids have flown the coop, and everyone is having trouble adjusting. Angela begins to drift into a reverie of “what if”, remembering life before Nick and her children, yet in the meantime dramas abound and the Gillespies struggle to keep their family together in the present.
Monica McInerney has created a cast of real, compelling and enjoyable characters and while there’s a lot of sadness in this novel, there’s also a lot of humour. I found it thoroughly enjoyable. My first McInerney book and it won’t be my last!
But what if that email accidentally got sent?
That’s the premise of “Hello from the Gillespies”, where super mum Angela’s usual Christmas email to all the family and friends reveals far more than she intended. Friends, neighbours and relatives think it’s the best letter ever – but not the people mentioned in it, Angela’s children and husband. They were a close family while the children were growing up but now most of the kids have flown the coop, and everyone is having trouble adjusting. Angela begins to drift into a reverie of “what if”, remembering life before Nick and her children, yet in the meantime dramas abound and the Gillespies struggle to keep their family together in the present.
Monica McInerney has created a cast of real, compelling and enjoyable characters and while there’s a lot of sadness in this novel, there’s also a lot of humour. I found it thoroughly enjoyable. My first McInerney book and it won’t be my last!
mcearl12's review against another edition
3.0
This is a fair and honest review in return for receiving a free electronic version of this book from NetGalley.
This was really a lovely book. Interesting characters, plot, and background. A bit slow-moving at times, but not so slow as to turn me off. I cared about these Gillespies...every one of them, and the picture painted of that portion of Australia made me want to jump a plane and see it for myself (though not in summer, perhaps ;) I could relate to all the issues the family faced, individually and as a group. I would recommend it, especially to fans of Maeve Binchey. I enjoyed my time with the Gillespies from beginning to middle to end.
This was really a lovely book. Interesting characters, plot, and background. A bit slow-moving at times, but not so slow as to turn me off. I cared about these Gillespies...every one of them, and the picture painted of that portion of Australia made me want to jump a plane and see it for myself (though not in summer, perhaps ;) I could relate to all the issues the family faced, individually and as a group. I would recommend it, especially to fans of Maeve Binchey. I enjoyed my time with the Gillespies from beginning to middle to end.
lisawagner91's review against another edition
2.0
It started of so great, but became increasingly cliché.
rikerandom's review against another edition
4.0
Diese und weitere Rezensionen findet ihr auf meinem Blog Anima Libri - Buchseele
Rezensionsexemplar, zur Verfügung gestellt vom Verlag im Austausch für eine ehrliche Rezension ♥
Okay, Weihnachten ist mittlerweile wirklich eindeutig vorbei, aber irgendwie habe ich trotzdem noch das eine oder andere weihnachtliche Buch hier herumliegen, darunter auch „Das Schönste kommt zum Schluss“ von Monica McInerney. Da das allerdings sowieso eher ein Familienroman/Chick-Lit mit weihnachtlicher Kulisse ist, macht das auch nichts weiter.
Im Zentrum der Geschichte steht Angela Gillespie, Ehefrau, Mutter und rundherum ziemlich frustriert. Und das bekommen ganz unerwartet ihre Familie, Freunde und Bekannte in der alljährlichen Weihnachtspost zu spüren, denn nachdem sich Angela einmal den Frust von der Seele geschrieben hat, verschickt sie die Mail versehentlich an all ihre Lieben und statt des fröhlich-kitschigen Jahresrückblick voller Erfolgsberichte und Familienfotos gibt es eine ausführliche Liste der Dinge, die Angela an ihrer Familie auszusetzen hat: Der Mann hat womöglich eine Affäre, die erwachsenen Töchter verhalten sich dümmer als jeder Teenager und das Nesthäckchen scheint in einer Fantasiewelt zu versinken. Als Angela dann auch noch nach einer Kopfverletzung an temporärer Amnesie leidet, ist das Chaos garantiert.
Ich muss sagen, ich fand Monica McInerneys Roman an sich nicht schlecht, die Idee war lustig, die Handlung an sich auch nicht uninteressant, aber ein paar der Charaktere sind mir einfach ziemlich auf die Nerven gegangen, vor allem Angelas Töchter, die zwar alle drei in den Dreißigern sind, sich aber trotzdem verhalten wie Kinder und absolut nicht überlebensfähig erscheinen, obwohl sie offenbar schon seit Jahren nicht mehr zuhause wohnen. Jedenfalls gehen ihre Leben quasi gleichzeitig den Bach runter und sie schlagen wieder im Hotel Mama auf, um dort ihre Mutter – und den Leser – zur Verzweiflung zu bringen.
Alles in allem eine ziemlich unterhaltsame Lektüre für kalte Wintertage, die sogar hier und da durchaus Tiefgang aufweist, trotzdem konnte mich Monica McInerneys „Das Schönste kommt zum Schluss“ nicht restlos überzeugen und ich würde es jetzt nicht unbedingt als Highlight bezeichnen. Aber wer einfach nur ein leicht zu lesendes Familiendrama mit einigem Humor sucht, der ist hier definitiv an der richtigen Adresse.
Rezensionsexemplar, zur Verfügung gestellt vom Verlag im Austausch für eine ehrliche Rezension ♥
Okay, Weihnachten ist mittlerweile wirklich eindeutig vorbei, aber irgendwie habe ich trotzdem noch das eine oder andere weihnachtliche Buch hier herumliegen, darunter auch „Das Schönste kommt zum Schluss“ von Monica McInerney. Da das allerdings sowieso eher ein Familienroman/Chick-Lit mit weihnachtlicher Kulisse ist, macht das auch nichts weiter.
Im Zentrum der Geschichte steht Angela Gillespie, Ehefrau, Mutter und rundherum ziemlich frustriert. Und das bekommen ganz unerwartet ihre Familie, Freunde und Bekannte in der alljährlichen Weihnachtspost zu spüren, denn nachdem sich Angela einmal den Frust von der Seele geschrieben hat, verschickt sie die Mail versehentlich an all ihre Lieben und statt des fröhlich-kitschigen Jahresrückblick voller Erfolgsberichte und Familienfotos gibt es eine ausführliche Liste der Dinge, die Angela an ihrer Familie auszusetzen hat: Der Mann hat womöglich eine Affäre, die erwachsenen Töchter verhalten sich dümmer als jeder Teenager und das Nesthäckchen scheint in einer Fantasiewelt zu versinken. Als Angela dann auch noch nach einer Kopfverletzung an temporärer Amnesie leidet, ist das Chaos garantiert.
Ich muss sagen, ich fand Monica McInerneys Roman an sich nicht schlecht, die Idee war lustig, die Handlung an sich auch nicht uninteressant, aber ein paar der Charaktere sind mir einfach ziemlich auf die Nerven gegangen, vor allem Angelas Töchter, die zwar alle drei in den Dreißigern sind, sich aber trotzdem verhalten wie Kinder und absolut nicht überlebensfähig erscheinen, obwohl sie offenbar schon seit Jahren nicht mehr zuhause wohnen. Jedenfalls gehen ihre Leben quasi gleichzeitig den Bach runter und sie schlagen wieder im Hotel Mama auf, um dort ihre Mutter – und den Leser – zur Verzweiflung zu bringen.
Alles in allem eine ziemlich unterhaltsame Lektüre für kalte Wintertage, die sogar hier und da durchaus Tiefgang aufweist, trotzdem konnte mich Monica McInerneys „Das Schönste kommt zum Schluss“ nicht restlos überzeugen und ich würde es jetzt nicht unbedingt als Highlight bezeichnen. Aber wer einfach nur ein leicht zu lesendes Familiendrama mit einigem Humor sucht, der ist hier definitiv an der richtigen Adresse.
judithdcollins's review against another edition
5.0
A special thank you to Penguin Group and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Monica McInerney’s Hello From the Gillespies, is an entertaining, hilarious, and brutally honest "family drama of life's messiness at its best" from the front cover to the end!
Angela Gillespie, has a tradition every Christmas. She writes a letter to all her friends with a summary and account of all the exciting events and photos of her family. (not always an honest account with a lot of fluff). Of course, it always has contained the pretty things in life, what everyone wants to hear from a perfect family, right?
This year, as Angela sits down to compile her thoughts, she thinks, why? Her life sucks, and with creative juices flowing, she begins taking each part of her life, her husband, each of her children, her ex-boyfriend, and her pitiful life and what could have been – every last miserable detail. She begins to think for a moment, what it would be like to actually send this email with her real thoughts instead of a false facade as usual.
Of course, this is just an exercise, to vent, and not to actually send (haven’t we all done this, with our bosses, colleagues, friends, family members, ex-husbands or boyfriends)?
At that moment as she is about to delete it, there is a household emergency, sending them to the hospital, leaving the forgotten computer. What she does not anticipate is her husband finding it, thinking he is doing her a favor, by adding in her contact list and sending it out by the deadline, without reading it first.
Can you imagine, this is like having your private diary or journal being found, or back in the old days, your cell phone call has not been disconnected or you inadvertently call someone; having a conversation about your boyfriend and he overhears the entire thing (this happened to a friend of mine, while we were having coffee). Ouch! Everyone has experienced the terror of breached email etiquette and the slip of, reply to all which cannot be undone.
I was laughing so hard, as McInerney has some clever one liners with the character's private thoughts mixed with the tragedy. A family saga which many of us can relate, especially with high expectations during the Christmas season which relate to the perfect family. From sibling rivalry, to old loves, from second guessing, to dreaming what if.
This was my first book by McInerney and enjoyed the conversation with the author at the end, which offers the reader insights into her inspiration for the novel and its characters.
Her exploration of using family life dynamics and members at different life stages: Ig – school, three daughters trying to figure out their career choices and love lives, and Angela and Nick and their marriage was very realistic. Especially grown adult children returning home to live with parents which is very common today, when they should be empty nesters, and her vast research of geographical, historical, and medical information.
Hello from the Gillespies is an ideal book for book clubs or discussions with a nice list at the end as readers explore each character, personalities, secrets, and more!
I was drawn initially by the stunning front cover (as this is the first thing I note when deciding to read a book), as the doors are mysterious, and intriguing, as you want to learn what lies behind closed doors and this family. In addition, nice character development and vivid descriptions of settings, transporting you the place and time.
Hello From the Gillespies is unique; however, reminds me a little of Jan Karon Mitford Series and the humor and complexity of Jo Jo Moyes and Liane Moriarty. Look forward to reading more from this author.
Judith D. Collins Must Read Books
Monica McInerney’s Hello From the Gillespies, is an entertaining, hilarious, and brutally honest "family drama of life's messiness at its best" from the front cover to the end!
Angela Gillespie, has a tradition every Christmas. She writes a letter to all her friends with a summary and account of all the exciting events and photos of her family. (not always an honest account with a lot of fluff). Of course, it always has contained the pretty things in life, what everyone wants to hear from a perfect family, right?
This year, as Angela sits down to compile her thoughts, she thinks, why? Her life sucks, and with creative juices flowing, she begins taking each part of her life, her husband, each of her children, her ex-boyfriend, and her pitiful life and what could have been – every last miserable detail. She begins to think for a moment, what it would be like to actually send this email with her real thoughts instead of a false facade as usual.
Of course, this is just an exercise, to vent, and not to actually send (haven’t we all done this, with our bosses, colleagues, friends, family members, ex-husbands or boyfriends)?
At that moment as she is about to delete it, there is a household emergency, sending them to the hospital, leaving the forgotten computer. What she does not anticipate is her husband finding it, thinking he is doing her a favor, by adding in her contact list and sending it out by the deadline, without reading it first.
Can you imagine, this is like having your private diary or journal being found, or back in the old days, your cell phone call has not been disconnected or you inadvertently call someone; having a conversation about your boyfriend and he overhears the entire thing (this happened to a friend of mine, while we were having coffee). Ouch! Everyone has experienced the terror of breached email etiquette and the slip of, reply to all which cannot be undone.
I was laughing so hard, as McInerney has some clever one liners with the character's private thoughts mixed with the tragedy. A family saga which many of us can relate, especially with high expectations during the Christmas season which relate to the perfect family. From sibling rivalry, to old loves, from second guessing, to dreaming what if.
This was my first book by McInerney and enjoyed the conversation with the author at the end, which offers the reader insights into her inspiration for the novel and its characters.
Her exploration of using family life dynamics and members at different life stages: Ig – school, three daughters trying to figure out their career choices and love lives, and Angela and Nick and their marriage was very realistic. Especially grown adult children returning home to live with parents which is very common today, when they should be empty nesters, and her vast research of geographical, historical, and medical information.
Hello from the Gillespies is an ideal book for book clubs or discussions with a nice list at the end as readers explore each character, personalities, secrets, and more!
I was drawn initially by the stunning front cover (as this is the first thing I note when deciding to read a book), as the doors are mysterious, and intriguing, as you want to learn what lies behind closed doors and this family. In addition, nice character development and vivid descriptions of settings, transporting you the place and time.
Hello From the Gillespies is unique; however, reminds me a little of Jan Karon Mitford Series and the humor and complexity of Jo Jo Moyes and Liane Moriarty. Look forward to reading more from this author.
Judith D. Collins Must Read Books