The new classic from the queen of contemporary fiction.
The Caseys are one of those families. They are glamorous, well known, social, fun. They’re the family everyone wants to be a part of. Johnny Casey, his two brothers Ed and Liam, along with their beautiful, talented wives and all their kids spend a lot of time together. There are never more than a few months between birthday parties, anniversaries, holidays to Italy – almost any excuse for a get together. And of course, they are all happy – Johnny’s wife, Jessie insists on it. And she’s the one who pays for everything so she must be right.
Everything stays under control until Ed’s wife Cara, gets concussed before Johnny’s birthday party. One careless remark is made at the party, with the entire family present, and soon all their secrets are spilling out. Because under the glamorous and well-kept surface of the Casey family, conditions are murkier. While some people clash, other people like each other far too much…
A brand-new book from the Number One bestselling author of The Break and The Woman Who Stole My Life, Marian Keyes has created an epic family drama. Grown Ups is perfectly executed, with polished prose and a plot that is tight and keeps you involved. Written with the reveal of secrets in the first chapter, you’re then taken “six months earlier” and get to watch the devolution of the family in slow motion. From lies to secret rendezvous’, eating disorders to affairs, addictions to financial issues, nothing is as it seems and everyone is walking on eggshells.
Keyes has brilliantly tapped into the family dynamics with this book. She has the master skill of making a family’s day-to-day lives seem interesting and worth reading about! You could be walking into the Casey extended family gathering yourself, the way that Keyes includes you in the story. She treats sensitive issues delicately, giving them the space they need, while also writing lines of pure comic genius and scenes of heartbreaking truth.
While there are many characters to keep track of, and many points of view, these just add to the crazy nature of the family, and fill out the book to perfection. It wouldn’t be the same without knowing all the names of the kids! Full of drama, love, heartbreak, comedy and friendship, Grown Ups is the book to read when you want further proof that being a grown up can sometimes just be really hard – and no one really knows what they’re doing! It is witty, engaging and completely readable. You’ll be inexorably drawn in. Keyes is a brilliant writer and I can’t wait to read more from her.
Leave a Reply