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A review by mariasmusings
Anybody Out There? by Marian Keyes
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Review after a recent readalong.
Book Review: Anybody Out There? By Marian Keyes
Anybody Out There? Is the story of Anna Walsh, and is a welcome return to the world of the Walsh family.
I've been re-reading the Walsh family series, with the publication of My Favourite Mistake later this year.
With each novel, I think, "Oh, Rachel/ Helen/Claire etc is the best character. Though to be honest, I should admit that the matriarch, (Mrs) Mammy Walsh, is my favourite character - she has a line in sarcasm and ability to focus on her own interests to a hilarious level.
In previous novels, Anna was mostly a side-character, she chatted with Rachel and Claire, and seemed to float through life. Now, we get the opportunity to hear her story.
Anna is now living in New York and, a seasoned professional, working in the advertising business for a cosmetics brand. She has a career that is the envy of her sisters - well, they are envious of her cosmetic free samples at least.
At the start of the novel, Anna is back at home,in the bosom (maelstrom?) of her family and evidently recovering injuries. Just how this came about, is explained by Anna through a series of flashbacks, and she struggles to return to her New York life, while coping with grief, anger, recovery.
There are many, many scenes in this novel that actually made me cry - Keyes doesn't shy away from painful topics. Instead, she cleverly manages to create a fine balance between the pain and the humour, keeping the reader amused, just when we most need that sense of laughter. It's this level of skill, that allows Keyes to address so many tragic issues throughout this series.
And as for the humour, there is a decidedly "Irish" tone to these moments, with the use of phrases that are typically Irish, without ever venturing into a cliche.
And the love and support displayed by the Walsh family, is heart-warming. And other laugh out loud funny.
A solid 4 stars.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#AnybodyOutThere #MarianKeyes #WalshFamily #Annasstory #BookReview #Bookstagram #bookblogger
Book Review: Anybody Out There? By Marian Keyes
Anybody Out There? Is the story of Anna Walsh, and is a welcome return to the world of the Walsh family.
I've been re-reading the Walsh family series, with the publication of My Favourite Mistake later this year.
With each novel, I think, "Oh, Rachel/ Helen/Claire etc is the best character. Though to be honest, I should admit that the matriarch, (Mrs) Mammy Walsh, is my favourite character - she has a line in sarcasm and ability to focus on her own interests to a hilarious level.
In previous novels, Anna was mostly a side-character, she chatted with Rachel and Claire, and seemed to float through life. Now, we get the opportunity to hear her story.
Anna is now living in New York and, a seasoned professional, working in the advertising business for a cosmetics brand. She has a career that is the envy of her sisters - well, they are envious of her cosmetic free samples at least.
At the start of the novel, Anna is back at home,in the bosom (maelstrom?) of her family and evidently recovering injuries. Just how this came about, is explained by Anna through a series of flashbacks, and she struggles to return to her New York life, while coping with grief, anger, recovery.
There are many, many scenes in this novel that actually made me cry - Keyes doesn't shy away from painful topics. Instead, she cleverly manages to create a fine balance between the pain and the humour, keeping the reader amused, just when we most need that sense of laughter. It's this level of skill, that allows Keyes to address so many tragic issues throughout this series.
And as for the humour, there is a decidedly "Irish" tone to these moments, with the use of phrases that are typically Irish, without ever venturing into a cliche.
And the love and support displayed by the Walsh family, is heart-warming. And other laugh out loud funny.
A solid 4 stars.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#AnybodyOutThere #MarianKeyes #WalshFamily #Annasstory #BookReview #Bookstagram #bookblogger
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Car accident, and Grief
Moderate: Drug abuse and Addiction