What the back says...
They're a glamorous family, the Caseys.
Johnny Casey, his two brothers Ed and Liam, their beautiful, talented wives and all their kids spent a lot of time together - birthday parties, anniversary celebrations, weekends away. And they're a happy family. Johnny's wife, Jessie - who has the most money - insists on it.
Under the surface, though, conditions are murkier. While some people clash, other people like each other far too much...
Everything stays under control until Ed's wife, Cara, gets concussion and can't keep her thoughts to herself. One careless remark at Johnny's birthday party, with the entire family present, starts Cara spilling out all their secrets.
In the subsequent unravelling, every one of the adults finds themselves wondering if it's time - finally - to grow up?
I have been waiting a very long time for this book, ever since I finished 'The Break' on my holidays last year I needed a new Marian Keyes book and this one did not disappoint.
'Grown Ups' follows the Casey family, Johnny Casey and his wife Jessie and their 5 children. Johnny's brother Ed, his wife Cara and their two young sons and finally younger brother Liam and his new wife Nell.
So, as you can see, there are a lot of people to follow in this story and Marian takes you on the journey with them perfectly. This is a proper family saga with just enough wit, humour and heartbreak to keep you reading and wanting to see where they all end up. You have the ones that you want to succeed - namely Cara, Nell and Jessie, that you want to see the best in, and then the others that you know are just not worth the effort, step forward younger brother Liam.
The plot twists and turns, the family history and back story for each weaves in and out to draw you in covering such topics as bereavement, grief, trust, bulimia and asylum seekers. The depth of detail that Marian goes into for each of her characters is immense, I could only wish to be able to write the way that she does. There is a warmth and a humour but ultimately these are fully relatable people that could be your own friends or family.
This isn't a short read, this is over 630 pages, but there are no lulls, it's solid read from beginning to end. By the closing pages the loose ends do seem to be neatly tied up together but, to me, there still seems to be some stragglers. I'm not sure we have seen the end of the Casey family saga, I hope not anyway.
MHR x