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theoglibrarianmom's review against another edition
4.0
I was immediately pulled into this story. Well written and hilarious despite the subject matter.
emilybeck_13's review against another edition
4.0
Easy to read and somewhat unique feeling book, saw movie ~a year ago and now think it was cast perfectly, maybe enjoy book more having seen the movie but definitely read the whole thing as if George Clooney was narrating
slc54hiwi's review against another edition
3.0
I read this a few years when it first came out & adorned the "local lit" shelves at Hawai'i's public libraries. After seeing the film, I realized that I recalled very little of the book and wondered why it seemed so forgettable next to the film.
The re-read brought back much, of course, but for perhaps the first time I actually found the movie version to be more compelling than the book itself. Most of the characters received their due in the film although Scotty seemed to be much more complex, and therefore interesting, in the book. In general, Matt King and his daugthers are authentic enough although they move in & represent a rather small, privileged portion of society. Nonetheless, it's a well-done portrait of modern Hawai'i, and a lot better than lot of what's out there.
The re-read brought back much, of course, but for perhaps the first time I actually found the movie version to be more compelling than the book itself. Most of the characters received their due in the film although Scotty seemed to be much more complex, and therefore interesting, in the book. In general, Matt King and his daugthers are authentic enough although they move in & represent a rather small, privileged portion of society. Nonetheless, it's a well-done portrait of modern Hawai'i, and a lot better than lot of what's out there.
stacykins78's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book. It's a sad story, but it was truly a great read. It takes place in Hawaii, so it was cool to see where they were geographically. I haven't seen the movie, but it's definitely one I want to see now. :)
laurenfolkmann's review against another edition
4.0
This was a super quick read that I started this morning and finished tonight. I loved the story-it wasn't really a book that I was completely engrossed in and couldn't put down, but I really enjoyed it. I haven't seen the movie yet but I can see how it could be really fantastic. Its a story of love, loss, teenage angst, betrayal...it just seems like it could be a true story because the characters are just very "real". Can't wait to see the movie now!
marie_gg's review against another edition
4.0
http://mariesbookgarden.blogspot.com/2012/07/descendants.html
After seeing the movie before reading the book, I could not get George Clooney as Matt King out of my head. That's not a bad thing. :) I had dragged my dear hubby to see "The Descendants" in March, and we cried through the movie. I didn't cry during the book...guess that is the difference between a book and a movie (except in the case of Wonder, which had me crying throughout).
This book, expanded from a short story, was beautifully written. Hemmings has a keen understanding of the way teenagers think and act (especially those who do not get enough affection or guidance from their parents!). The book is stronger than the movie in that we get to understand Matt's inner life and motivations. His transformation is a bit deeper and more understandable in the book for that reason.
It clearly is a novel of place. Hawaii is ever present, as is its culture, history, and tensions between native Hawaiians and white people. Hemmings also handles the concepts of death and grief in a sensitive, loving, and realistic way.
Most of the colorful characters are not particularly likable, but I liked this book anyway. Joanie is in a coma, but we get a sense of her (I would probably have liked her even less if she had been conscious). Matt grows from a man who is uncomfortable with affection into one who comes to appreciate his family and what he has...a man who can actually say "I love you" to daughters who are completely unaccustomed to hearing that from anyone.
After seeing the movie before reading the book, I could not get George Clooney as Matt King out of my head. That's not a bad thing. :) I had dragged my dear hubby to see "The Descendants" in March, and we cried through the movie. I didn't cry during the book...guess that is the difference between a book and a movie (except in the case of Wonder, which had me crying throughout).
This book, expanded from a short story, was beautifully written. Hemmings has a keen understanding of the way teenagers think and act (especially those who do not get enough affection or guidance from their parents!). The book is stronger than the movie in that we get to understand Matt's inner life and motivations. His transformation is a bit deeper and more understandable in the book for that reason.
It clearly is a novel of place. Hawaii is ever present, as is its culture, history, and tensions between native Hawaiians and white people. Hemmings also handles the concepts of death and grief in a sensitive, loving, and realistic way.
Most of the colorful characters are not particularly likable, but I liked this book anyway. Joanie is in a coma, but we get a sense of her (I would probably have liked her even less if she had been conscious). Matt grows from a man who is uncomfortable with affection into one who comes to appreciate his family and what he has...a man who can actually say "I love you" to daughters who are completely unaccustomed to hearing that from anyone.
alundeberg's review against another edition
4.0
And you may find yourself in another part of the world
And you may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile
And you may find yourself in a beautiful house, with a beautiful wife
And you may ask yourself, "Well... how did I get here?"
Matthew King, the protagonist of Kaui Hart Hemmings novel "The Descendants" reminds me of these Talking Heads' lyrics. After his brash, independent, and complex wife Joanie ends up in a coma from a boating accident, Matt finds himself having to face fatherhood, widowhood, the prospect that Joanie was having an affair, and he is very much wondering just how he got there. Used to coasting and hiding behind his work, he realizes the impact of his absence on his two daughters, 17-year old Alex and 10-year old Scottie, and now has to step into the role as a parent in a time of grief and uncertainty with Alex's sort-of boyfriend Sid in tow. To say he is bewildered is an understatement. Trying to find answers and provide comfort, he is often struck by how ridiculous life and people are.
This is a funny, wry, at times heartbreaking and fearless novel that pushes to the edge of the absurd, but never teeters over. Hemmings explores grief and loss and what it means to love someone. She also explores what it means to be a descendant-- how one is shaped and scarred by the past. Matt is a descendant of a Hawaiian princess and white missionary and has inherited a large swath of Hawaiian land that remains undeveloped. How does he honor this legacy and its future? His daughters are descended from Joanie, and he learns how they contort themselves to be worthy of and free of her. It is also about being present in one own's life. Matt's safety behind his work and the status quo has harmful consequences for his daughters who have a mother that neither can live up to, and in fits and starts, he learns to take responsibility for his descendants, too.
Hemmings based this novel on one of her short stories, and while it is a slim 283 pages, she should have emphasized the "short" part. She carries it all the way to closure and it felt too long and the ending too neat. It reaches too far to hammer home points that are implied throughout the book, and it could have safely ended on page 271, or 277 at the very least. It would have been a stronger book had it had a more ambiguous ending that let us wonder at where they found themselves.
And you may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile
And you may find yourself in a beautiful house, with a beautiful wife
And you may ask yourself, "Well... how did I get here?"
Matthew King, the protagonist of Kaui Hart Hemmings novel "The Descendants" reminds me of these Talking Heads' lyrics. After his brash, independent, and complex wife Joanie ends up in a coma from a boating accident, Matt finds himself having to face fatherhood, widowhood, the prospect that Joanie was having an affair, and he is very much wondering just how he got there. Used to coasting and hiding behind his work, he realizes the impact of his absence on his two daughters, 17-year old Alex and 10-year old Scottie, and now has to step into the role as a parent in a time of grief and uncertainty with Alex's sort-of boyfriend Sid in tow. To say he is bewildered is an understatement. Trying to find answers and provide comfort, he is often struck by how ridiculous life and people are.
This is a funny, wry, at times heartbreaking and fearless novel that pushes to the edge of the absurd, but never teeters over. Hemmings explores grief and loss and what it means to love someone. She also explores what it means to be a descendant-- how one is shaped and scarred by the past. Matt is a descendant of a Hawaiian princess and white missionary and has inherited a large swath of Hawaiian land that remains undeveloped. How does he honor this legacy and its future? His daughters are descended from Joanie, and he learns how they contort themselves to be worthy of and free of her. It is also about being present in one own's life. Matt's safety behind his work and the status quo has harmful consequences for his daughters who have a mother that neither can live up to, and in fits and starts, he learns to take responsibility for his descendants, too.
Hemmings based this novel on one of her short stories, and while it is a slim 283 pages, she should have emphasized the "short" part. She carries it all the way to closure and it felt too long and the ending too neat. It reaches too far to hammer home points that are implied throughout the book, and it could have safely ended on page 271, or 277 at the very least. It would have been a stronger book had it had a more ambiguous ending that let us wonder at where they found themselves.
nataliejade1994's review against another edition
5.0
This book was amazing, not my typical read, but I thought that I would give it a chance, and I did I found myself totally immersed into this book from the first page, both funny aspects and emotional aspects, would recomend to anyone, loved it!:D
ari__s's review against another edition
4.0
Disclaimer: I did read the book before seeing the movie.
I really enjoyed this book, as chillingly sad it is. But it was powerful and well written, addressing a lot of things that no one really has any answers to: how to handle growing children, how to balance work and life, how to say goodbye - there's at least one thing a reader can relate to in this novel, I don't doubt that. I'm interested to see how it translated to film - I've heard very good things, though I'm not sure I've actually spoken with anyone who has seen the movie and read the book, and not in that order.
Overall, a quick read that still manages to raise that sadness in your throat, though it leaves you uplifted and hopeful. A definite recommend.
I really enjoyed this book, as chillingly sad it is. But it was powerful and well written, addressing a lot of things that no one really has any answers to: how to handle growing children, how to balance work and life, how to say goodbye - there's at least one thing a reader can relate to in this novel, I don't doubt that. I'm interested to see how it translated to film - I've heard very good things, though I'm not sure I've actually spoken with anyone who has seen the movie and read the book, and not in that order.
Overall, a quick read that still manages to raise that sadness in your throat, though it leaves you uplifted and hopeful. A definite recommend.