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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook! The character of Hildy Good was an excellent one - even though she was rough around the edges and in constant denial of her alcoholism. The ending takes a dark and sad turn, but redeems itself when Hildy rechecks herself back into rehab - on her OWN - no intervention - no meddling - this was all her OWN decision mind you! :-)
Mary Beth Hurt embodied Hildy Good perfectly. She made me laugh out loud many times. This is one of those audiobooks where it elevates the story, and I'm certain I enjoyed this far more than I might have had I just read it.
Mary Beth Hurt embodied Hildy Good perfectly. She made me laugh out loud many times. This is one of those audiobooks where it elevates the story, and I'm certain I enjoyed this far more than I might have had I just read it.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The author has a very natural writing style; organic without slipping into colloquialisms. The Good House is about small towns, how wealth is defined, the value of tradition and the stories we tell ourselves. The protagonist Hildy is my new favorite unreliable narrator. The story is interesting, there is some tension and quite a bit of humor. As far as I could tell Leary did not hit a single false note in this book.
Initially I enjoyed this book very much; Hildy, the narrator, was funny and I was intrigued by the newcomer, Rebecca. However, things got dark and darker and by the end I was just skimming to find out what would happen.
Accurate portrayal of an alcoholic in denial. She is not always likable by any means but she is a strong and often funny character and most of it rings true for both the recovery process, relapse, and also the feel of small town New England.
Pretty sure I would have enjoyed this more had someone other than Mary Beth Hurt been the reader.
Hildy Good is a real estate broker in Wendover, MA - a (fictional) town located north of Boston. Her husband left her for a man and she has 2 daughters with him. She is a grandmother. This story starts after she's been released from rehab for drinking (her daughters put her in rehab). It tells Hildy's story once she's home and trying to work and get through the day without drinking. Rebecca and her husband move to Wendover and Rebecca and Hildy become good friends. Hildy is happy (although she's started drinking secretly) until she discovers a secret about Rebecca and someone else in town. When the secrets start to unravel and there is a mysterious disappearance in town, Hildy begins to question some of her actions. At times funny, sad and poignant, the book is well written and you feel for all of the characters in the story. Ann Leary is the wife of Denis Leary, the comedian.
I really enjoyed this read and the character of Hildy. Sometimes it felt like you weren't really reading a story but just her thoughts but then it all began to come together. I still feel there wasn't a ton of plot to it, a few things happened but nothing new or original, however Hildy's view on it and the circumstances she was going through and the way it was put together and written made me want to keep reading and not put it down.
When I saw the email offering me The Good House by Ann Leary to review I was intrigued. It had some fabulous reviews attached to it, and I was quite interested to read a book about an alcoholic, as the last book I read about an alcoholic was amazing – Best Kept Secret by Amy Hatvany (a MUST read, lemme tell you; it dealt with alcoholism so, so well). But, it’s with a sad and heavy heart I must admit that although the novel had a good opening (it was what made me pick it up, I was curious to learn more about Hildy’s vision that allows her to tell a person from their home), it didn’t really fare very well for me.
Despite vociferous complaints to the contrary, Hildy Good is an alcoholic. After an intervention from her two daughters, she heads to rehab, and we meet her post-rehab. Where she’s clean, and sober, and lying her ass off. Because Hildy has realised something: if she drinks all by herself, at home, then there’s no one who can judge her and no one who can accuse her of being alcohol dependent. As long as she keeps up the facade, all will be well. She’s a real-estate agent who’s struggling to make the funds, and befriends new girl Rebecca, who’s just bought one of the most expensive houses in Wendover, in Massachussetts. But as long as Hildy keeps lying, things are going to keep happening and a night after a massive bender, she can’t remember what she did, where she went, or if she hurt someone. Can this alcoholic finally admit she needs help?
I didn’t necessarily think The Good House was a bad read, but I just don’t think it was for me. It started really well and there were bits of it I liked – the whole telling a person from their house thing, Hildy’s uncanny ability to be able to read a person, I initially liked and felt sorry for Rebecca McAllister, I even enjoyed reading about all the beautiful homes Hildy was selling and lived near. But it all seemed to fall apart as the novel progressed. Within the last 50 or so pages it became too complicated for its own good, and I lost interest completely. Hildy just seemed to be a rambling mess and I couldn’t decipher what Hildy was fantasising about or what actually happened. I am still confused even now. Rebecca McAllister became this weird, psycho bunny-boiler character and it sort of ruined her for me. Before that, I liked her, and it’s a shame really Leary took her character on the road it went down.
I think this is definitely a novel some people will enjoy. I didn’t mind Hildy too much, despite the fact she was so obviously in denial – hey, who am I to judge? Addiction, as people keep saying, is a disease and not everyone can admit they need or want help. I just wish the novel hadn’t strayed into such busy territory towards the end because it made my mind boggle. There was just a bit too much for me to keep up with, and I just felt the book sort of lost its way halfway through, which is a shame as it had such a promising start, and it seemed as if it was going to be a read I really enjoyed. This novel will have its fans, and it has loads already, but it wasn’t one for me, sadly.
Despite vociferous complaints to the contrary, Hildy Good is an alcoholic. After an intervention from her two daughters, she heads to rehab, and we meet her post-rehab. Where she’s clean, and sober, and lying her ass off. Because Hildy has realised something: if she drinks all by herself, at home, then there’s no one who can judge her and no one who can accuse her of being alcohol dependent. As long as she keeps up the facade, all will be well. She’s a real-estate agent who’s struggling to make the funds, and befriends new girl Rebecca, who’s just bought one of the most expensive houses in Wendover, in Massachussetts. But as long as Hildy keeps lying, things are going to keep happening and a night after a massive bender, she can’t remember what she did, where she went, or if she hurt someone. Can this alcoholic finally admit she needs help?
I didn’t necessarily think The Good House was a bad read, but I just don’t think it was for me. It started really well and there were bits of it I liked – the whole telling a person from their house thing, Hildy’s uncanny ability to be able to read a person, I initially liked and felt sorry for Rebecca McAllister, I even enjoyed reading about all the beautiful homes Hildy was selling and lived near. But it all seemed to fall apart as the novel progressed. Within the last 50 or so pages it became too complicated for its own good, and I lost interest completely. Hildy just seemed to be a rambling mess and I couldn’t decipher what Hildy was fantasising about or what actually happened. I am still confused even now. Rebecca McAllister became this weird, psycho bunny-boiler character and it sort of ruined her for me. Before that, I liked her, and it’s a shame really Leary took her character on the road it went down.
I think this is definitely a novel some people will enjoy. I didn’t mind Hildy too much, despite the fact she was so obviously in denial – hey, who am I to judge? Addiction, as people keep saying, is a disease and not everyone can admit they need or want help. I just wish the novel hadn’t strayed into such busy territory towards the end because it made my mind boggle. There was just a bit too much for me to keep up with, and I just felt the book sort of lost its way halfway through, which is a shame as it had such a promising start, and it seemed as if it was going to be a read I really enjoyed. This novel will have its fans, and it has loads already, but it wasn’t one for me, sadly.
Too many points of exposition were awkwardly interjected immediately before they became relevant. Spoilers from the inside cover didn't come to fruition until late in the narrative. Not enough witchcraft! Otherwise a solid explanation of why you shouldn't get blackout drunk but should live in a small New England town.
Loved this story of a small town in New England. Love, loss, a little bit of mystery. Written by actor Dennis Leary's wife.