Packing up her mother’s life, George instead unpacks her own… A deeply insightful and wryly funny story perfect for readers of Meredith Jaffe and The Weekend by Charlotte Wood.
Things you might be surprised to find when cleaning out your deceased mother’s house:
a secret diary
a family mystery
a new lease on life.
Grief-stricken middle-aged sisters George, Kat and Annie give themselves a week to pack up their childhood home and divide their mother’s belongings. Beloved items are contested: an Eames chair, a collection of war medals, a learn-to-read book. The sisters – bossy Kat, mediator George and petulant Annie – are hampered by sibling rivalry, the prickly demands of their own offspring, the needs of their disabled younger brother and, in George’s case, the after-effects of a spot of adultery.
The discovery of a decades-old diary divides the women further: not only do they learn what their mother really thought of them, they learn that she had a life entirely of her own. They are not the family they thought they were – and their mother was so much more than she seemed. This revelation might be the key to George’s freedom…
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Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:
The Sorter, the Settler, and the Sook. Three middle-aged sisters get together in pre-pandemic Melbourne to clean out their mother’s house and belongings after her death. The middle sister, Georgette, finds a diary with a few short entries from 40 years before, throwing into question what they remember of their mother. And have they outgrown the family roles with which she has labelled them? Told from the point-of-view of Georgette, Family Baggage is an engaging read that does not slot into the warm-and-comfortable-family genre. Old hurts and resentments arise and are not healed or sorted within the seven days of cleaning up. Throw in a handful of cheerful, and surly, nieces and nephews, and the fourth sibling Harry, who has an intellectual disability, and you have a great read spiced with humour, a pinch of angst, and a chunk of sisterly bickering. I highly recommend this book. Kim, VIC, 5 Stars
I have to say I loved it – read it in 3 sittings, which I haven’t done with any book for many years. It tells the story of 3 sisters after the death of their mother – the sorting of the family home, the mother’s belongings, and the idiosyncrasies of each daughter. The book also talks of their current lives as well as their years growing up. It was sad, funny, surprising, joyful and certainly very believable. Loved it. Stacey, NSW, 5 Stars
Family Baggage is the story of three sisters, George, Kat, and Annie. In the week following their mother’s death, the sisters spend time together to pack up their mother’s life. Secrets about their mother and each other are revealed and the threat of COVID hovers in the background. Will grief over their mother’s death bring the sisters together or tear them apart? This is an enjoyable book about family, with likable characters that you will enjoy spending time with. Anne, VIC, 5 Stars
I loved reading Family Baggage, as I have just gone through my own family home and it was very interesting to see how other families cope with it together. Like all families, in Family Baggage there are strong personalities and everything doesn’t go smoothly as they would like. Then a diary is found and the contents are another dilemma they have to cope with. Family Baggage is a story we can all relate to, something we will all have to go through someday and we do all have “Family Baggage”. A relatable and very good read! Vicki, NSW, 5 Stars
This contemporary story is about a month in the life of three middle-aged women, their autistic brother, and assorted children, who come together in January 2020 in the aftermath of their mother’s death. The idea is to spend a week cleaning out their mother’s home. The discovery of a diary, the relationship between the three sisters, and the turmoil of farewelling their mother make for an interesting story. The minutiae of the decisions and disputes between the sisters, and the secrets uncovered, populate this entertaining book. It is interesting that it was set during the 2020 Black Summer at the cusp of the COVID pandemic, and these notable events place this book in a very recognisable timeframe. Review questions at the end make Ilsa Evans’ book perfect for Book Clubs to enjoy and dissect. Fiona, NSW, 5 Stars
After their mother’s passing, her children endure an endless task of sorting her home and possessions, let alone going through the grieving process. Sibling disagreements, grief, somewhat a balance between sadness and light-heartedness. I highly recommend this book. Nicky, QLD, 5 Stars
I just loved Family Baggage. Family Baggage explores a family’s experience with the death of their mother and grandmother. At times it’s emotional and raw, given the grief and pain they experience and then their reactions as they walk the path dealing with their mum’s possessions and her life, which on discovery of a diary, was not what they thought it had been, and to discover more complicates their emotions even more. I found Family Baggage an emotional, believable, funny and lighthearted novel. I loved the characters but I felt immensely sad for Annie who was very reactive and really struggled in her grief. A definite must-read. Helen, NSW, 5 Stars
Family Baggage is a book that I thoroughly enjoyed. The elderly mother (Enid) dies, but as she was fit and healthy there were things she hadn’t done before her passing. Things whilst on her deathbed that she thinks she should have disposed of. One of these is a diary. This diary is found by one of her daughters George, inside are her descriptions of how she sees her children: Kat (the sorter), Annie (the sook), and George (the settler). It also contains information about Enid’s life that her middle-aged children never knew. The greiving family are all trying to come to terms with the information contained in the diary. There is tension within the family because of the information. Every family has some sort of secret. Debbie, VIC, 5 Stars
Having read and enjoyed The Unusual Abduction of Avery Conifer, I was looking forward to Family Baggage and it didn’t disappoint. Ilsa Evans has again constructed a novel dealing with family relationships and the conflict that arises when the stress of losing a parent and packing up a lifetime of memories creates a pressure cooker where long-held resentments and feuds are reignited. Grieving the loss of their mother, and trying to sort out the house and contents in a week, three sisters discover a few surprises including a diary holding a family secret that throws a spanner into the works, requiring some sleuthing and change of perspective. Throw in some adultery, a brother with special needs, adult grandchildren and quirky senior relatives, and the week becomes rather more eventful than one might expect. Growing up in Melbourne with two sisters and being around the same ages as Kat, George, and Annie, so many of the insights and cultural references rang true. Not quite the same amount of melodrama though! Lesley, QLD, 5 Stars
This is the first book I have read written by Isla Evans. Family Baggage is a relatable story about three sisters having to deal with their grief after the death of their mum. Whilst sorting through their mothers and childhood home they each have to deal with their own unresolved issues with one another. I found this book easy to read as well as being captured by the characters that could be likable and horrible at the same time. Pamela, NSW, 5 Stars
A great, realistic look at how loss and hidden discoveries within the family unit can affect individuals in so many different ways. Such a clever story surrounded by believable characters and interwoven webs of both intrigue and individual emotions and actions. I found the book a truly realistic read that kept me turning pages well into the night. The characters are human, as are those special moments that will make this read both memorable, relatable, and needing to share with others. If you have not read this book then start your adventure by tracking it down as the tale is well worth the hunt. Mick, SA, 5 Stars
You had me at the front cover, bright, fun, and a happy memory for me of days passed. I enjoyed this book so much. Having lost my own dear mum and being one of three sisters, this book had me laughing, crying, and reminiscing. Let’s face it, we’ve all got some sort of family baggage! Ilsa Evans has created a story that is lighthearted at times but also offers a chance to reflect on how we deal with some difficult issues. Throw in the fact that decisions need to be discussed and reached with others’ support and the merry-go-round of life goes on amidst the sadness of losing a loved one. I’ll be seeking out Ilsa’s earlier book to read. Five stars from me! Tracey, VIC, 5 Stars
Most families have ‘baggage’, good, bad, and on occasion some things too delicate to reveal. George’s family discover theirs when sorting through their recently passed mother’s possessions, finding out more than they wished to know about her life as a woman more than their mother. Siblings Kat and Annie do not always agree with the way of handling issues but are all thrown into a forced discussion on how to distribute their inheritance and how to manage their disabled brother’s future. If you love family life novels, I recommend adding this to your reading list. Peruse this one and consider how you might handle the bumps along the road life gives us. Wendy, SA, 5 Stars
After Enid Tapscott unexpectedly dies, her grieving daughters are left with the task of clearing her home and deciding on the future of their intellectually disabled younger brother. How to fairly divide up her possessions between four children and four grandchildren does result in a good deal of friction and some decidedly immature behaviour but, after some surprise finds, that turns out to be the least of their problems. Funny, moving, and thought-provoking, Family Baggage is another hugely entertaining read from Ilsa Evans. Marianne, NSW, 5 Stars
This book had me on the edge of my seat. The characters were thrilling and the themes of mystery, secrets and new life were really exciting. It was so hilarious and really heartwarming and had a real sense of family and nostalgia that pulls right at the heartstrings. I can’t wait to read the next gem this amazing author creates. Daniela, NSW, 5 Stars
Family Baggage by Australian author Ilsa Evans is a work of fiction in the family drama genre. The book follows middle-aged sisters George, Annie, and Kat. Each of the siblings is struggling with the complexity of their lives, whilst struggling with their mother’s death. As they are packing up her belongings, they find an abundance of diaries she has kept over the years. The sisters are shocked at what they learn and the secret life their mother kept. As they face the secrets and each of their own dilemmas both alone and together, the possibility of a happy ending to each of their stories seems possible if they all come together, walking the path of love, compassion, and patience. This novel does an excellent job of portraying the complexity of a family dynamic complicated by the demands of adulthood and the background of family secrets. The plot is engaging and paced with great skill, moving between characters’ individual stories to expertly keep the reader always engaged. The characters are well-developed, each having their own personality that comes out through the story, little by little. I highly recommend it as a read to fans of family dramas. Melissa, SA, 5 Stars
I took Family Baggage with me on holiday and it was the perfect holiday read. A relatable story with likable and interesting characters. An insight into being human, to grief, to relationships, to uncertainty. A great read! Nicole, NSW, 4 Stars
How well do we really know our parents? After the sudden death of their mother, three women in their fifties come together in what was their childhood home to sort through their mother’s belongings. Grappling with their grief, family dynamics come into play and long-held resentments resurface. What items are to be treasured, and what should just be thrown out? Finding a short diary that their mother had kept, the girls discover a side to their mother that they didn’t know. Throw into the mix younger brother Harry, and the grandchildren, and you have plenty of drama before tensions hit a peak and issues are resolved. This was an easy book to read, with a relatable topic and a host of interesting characters. Anne, ACT, 4 Stars
Family baggage, we all have it, and this down-to-earth and relatable book by Ilsa Evans has a way of making your own family feel a whole lot less crazy! The story centres on three sisters as they navigate their way through their grief following the loss of their mother while negotiating their often-precarious family dynamics. Everyone in the story has their unique character traits – flaws and all. I was able to find myself picturing my own family in almost this very situation as they cleared out the homes of our recently departed loved one. The snippety comments between siblings; the long-held grudges; the vastly different perceptions about who is to blame for everything; who is entitled to what prized possession; and the blind outrage of the injustice of the seemingly most trivial things. This story was able to beautifully capture the grief and complex emotions experienced by most of us at some point in our lives while we find an imperfect way to navigate our way through it. Definitely worth a read! Michelle, TAS, 4 Stars
Three middle-aged sisters have to figure out what to do with their late mother’s estate. It is the house they grew up in and holds their childhood memories. This family of diverse characters have strong and very different personalities. The inevitable skeletons appear from the cupboards, surprising the whole family. At times funny, this book will have you wondering how you would deal with the same situation. A great read. Linley, WA, 4 Stars
We eventually have to face the aftermath of the death of a parent. Three sisters discover the skeletons in their mother’s closet when clearing out her belongings. This book delves into the way the very different sisters deal with this process. It will resonate with those that have been through this and make those that haven’t start to think about it. Jan, WA, 4 Stars
After a somewhat slow start, I really enjoyed this book. The premise is intriguing and the cast of characters was very amusing. Even the recently deceased Enid provides several great insights and laughs. The week over which the narrative takes place sees the daughters revert to childhood insecurities and to reliving past squabbles. Their lives will, of course, never be the same after the passing of their mother. The book is by turns poignant and hilarious in its inappropriateness. It reminds me of the saying about how only family can really push your buttons, because they’re the ones who installed them. This novel contains some lovely familiar details which set this story recognisably in the beginning of 2020 in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Heidi, VIC, 4 Stars
In Family Baggage we meet three sisters and their extended family as they pull themselves together in the week following the death of their mother. This was a fantastic read and a wonderful depiction of the experience families go through when they lose a loved one, particularly from the top of the family tree. We see their relationships realign; old hurts resurface, and new resentments grow, all whilst they seek comfort from each other and their shared experiences. I found it a bittersweet read, with some really resonating passages. I very rarely give 5 stars, but this was close! Chloe, VIC, 4 Stars
Ilsa Evans weaves a very entertaining and relatable story of family. Her story explores three sisters’ relationship during the stress of their mother’s death and clearing out the family home. Add husbands, children, great-aunts and family secrets into the mix and it was very entertaining! Being the middle sister of three sisters myself, of a similar age to George, Kat and Annie, I found the story very believable! Sisters know each other so well, they think! Their relationship dance was developed when they were not mature and often, they still do the same dance they learnt in primary school! Their years of maturing and compromise during marriage, children and careers melt away when sisters need to negotiate and agree on most anything. I felt at times their interactions too close to home and very thought-provoking. Other times I felt blessed to have my sisters and not Kat’s! I highly recommend it. Sallie, QLD, 4 Stars
Family Baggage by Ilsa Evans is a gritty story of the aftermath of the death of Enid Tapscott and what it means for her daughters George, Kat, and Annie, and son Harry. I loved how the story played out. It was just as messy as real life and felt fairly dark at times. Normal family interactions were portrayed well and not everything was sugar-coated or worked out how you might have thought it should. I connected with some family members more than others. Annie was hard to like – her emotions ran deep. Overall, I really enjoyed the telling of a sad time in life and how it could affect different people, and would thoroughly recommend it. You may just find parts of your own family within the pages. Tara, SA, 4 Stars
Lisa Evans Family Baggage is a real and raw account of what it’s like to deal with the baggage that comes along with losing your mother. As someone who is currently grieving the loss of my mum, I could relate to this story. As each of the characters navigates their own grief we are taken through the complexities of life. An excellent family drama read. Sam, ACT, 4 Stars
When your mother dies, your life is turned upside down, but when you discover your mother’s secrets are revealed after her death, things become really unsettling. Family Baggage is a story of just this. It is said that you are never really an adult until both your parents are dead and all three siblings find the truth in that saying. George, Kat and Annie are three sisters who have not got a lot in common other than being siblings and the loss of their mother highlights their differences. The next generation is also drawn into the family feuds and adds depth to the inherent conflict within families which can also be generational. Family Baggage is a thought-provoking read and excellent in its depiction of sibling rivalry. I love it. Sarah, QLD, 4 Stars
Family are the people you are stuck with for life through blood. Kat, Annie, and George are 3 middle-aged sisters who must confront their past and futures together following the sudden loss of their mother. As their lives as they know them begin to unravel, will the past have a lasting impact on their future relationships with each other? A great insight into family dramas, both real and imagined. Deanne, VIC, 4 Stars
Family Baggage is a book about just that. A large family, each member with their own agendas, working through a traumatic time that I think lots of readers will be able to relate to. Astrid, VIC 4, Stars
With death, questions are raised, regrets revealed, and possibly, like in this novel, secrets revealed. Ilsa Evans has embraced all of the above in her novel Family Baggage, focused around the death of a mother and her remaining children and families in the aftermath of this event. Totally relatable and at times funny, this novel tackles family dynamics and underlying rumblings that keep the reader entertained. Robyn, VIC, 4 Stars
The novel is slow-paced and the hook to the family mystery – in the form of a sparsely written diary – is somewhat weak. The characters are very human, if a little unlikeable at times, but this adds realism and relatability. There are some poignant reflections about life and death, but the description is a little embellished. Overall though, a modest novel for readers of everyday drama with some familial intrigue thrown in. Mary-Anne, QLD, 3 Stars
This book is a bit slow to start but once you get into it it’s a great book. Well written. 3 sisters have a week to pack up their mother’s belongings in their childhood home and divide them. While cleaning they find an old journal of their mothers. This journal gives the girls an insight as to what their mother really thought of them and that she had a life of her own they did not know about. They are not the family they thought they were. To find out why you’ll need to read this book. Amy, ACT, 3 Stars
They say that a death in the family will bring out all the old resentments and drama over money. And OMG, this family, I tried to like them and understand them, I really did, but their mum knocked the nail on the head with her descriptions of her daughters, because I really didn’t like any of them. Their brother though, he was my favourite character of the lot. I expected drama, and I got drama to the extreme with all of these selfish women. I liked the feel and the flow of the story, and Ilsa Evans writes a tale that feels real; it was just the character’s actions that didn’t do it for me. Janeane, NSW, 3 Stars
I enjoyed reading Family Baggage by Ilsa Evans, the first one of her books I’ve read. It follows the story of 3 sisters and their families during the week after their mother’s sudden death. Lots of family drama and conflict and it was interesting to navigate these relationships through different points of view and uncover their mother’s hidden secrets discovered through the course of the novel. Sally, NSW, 3 Stars
Family Baggage by Ilsa Evans is the story of three sisters navigating through the loss of their beloved mother who passed away rather unexpectedly. As an only child, I enjoyed reading about a family dynamic so different than my own. The only negative I would say about the book is I didn’t feel like we got to know George’s sisters as we learn about George. But otherwise, I enjoyed this novel. Tayla, VIC, 3 Stars
Enid Tapscott, a beloved and charismatic mother, leaves us in the prologue, but it is what she leaves behind that completes the picture of the person Enid really was. Family Baggage is a work of friction, a portrayal of grief bringing out the worst in people. The reader is thrust into the lives of Enid’s daughters, three middle-aged women who seem more like bickering teenagers, and then there are the grandchildren, and some ancient Aunts, who like stirring up trouble too. My favourite character was Enid’s intellectually disabled son, Harry, who, with his fascination in random details, was a release valve on the pressure cooker of the three sisters’ weeklong marathon effort dismantling Enid’s world, whilst simultaneously consuming copious amounts of coffee and at times too much alcohol. Family Baggage is an emotional and nostalgic look at family relationships, the roles we play in them, and what we hold precious, and perhaps gives hope that in the examining of the lives of those who have gone before us, we might find ways of understanding ourselves and others better, and discover ways to move forward in our own lives. Michelle, VIC, 3 Stars
I don’t have any issues with my sibling so I can’t relate to these three and their inability to communicate and work together, but this story felt incredibly real. There are strong arguments to be made for each of their perspectives and I can really see that they all believe their own viewpoints. It makes for a book that flows easily and logically but can be uncomfortable to read in parts. Richard, VIC, 3 Stars
Family Baggage by Ilsa Evans is a family drama dealing with death and trauma. The main character is George but we’re introduced to a wide cast – which is both a strength and a weakness of the book. It can be interesting to see how so many react, but also harder to focus our sympathies. My favourite character was quirky Harry and his interesting trivia, and I felt that others didn’t respect him enough. There’s a lot of relationship tension and family secrets to unravel. Very flawed characters – everyday life at its muddiest. Rebecca, NSW, 3 Stars
Sadly, this family drama missed the mark for me. I didn’t find any of the characters overly likeable except for Harry, whose random fun facts did keep me entertained. I did find the relationship between Harry and his daughter Tegan quite endearing though. The author making the characters unlikeable felt like it truly reflected how we sometimes feel about family members in that we love them, but occasionally we don’t necessarily like them. The grief component of the story was definitely realistic and hit right in the feels. If you enjoy a slow-burn family drama then this could be the book for you. Terri, VIC, 2 Stars
I like the way the family dynamic with all their unique personalities are woven together to form this clever novel. As a reader, you get to enjoy the unfolding of the secrets, and mysteries that I’m sure all people can relate to. Thanks for the opportunity to indulge. Izabella, VIC, 2 Stars
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