(From my book blog) I really hate the term “chick lit,” don’t you? It is utterly dismissive and totally misleading. Take a look at this book cover. It looks like chick lit. It was written by a woman. IT MUST BE FLUFFY AND RIDICULOUS, RIGHT?No. No it is not. This book is devastating. I know she wasn’t the first one, but I blame Sophie Kinsella and her godawful Shopaholic books with their stupid pink covers for starting the whole chick lit thing. Have I mentioned that I really fucking hate those books? I hate them so much that my hatred of them is totally derailing this review. I’ll get back to them eventually.Rachel’s Holiday came very highly recommended by my friends Jana and Ali, both of whom mentioned that this was one of the few books that has been with them many years, through various moves, bookshelf cleanouts, etc. Both of their copies were falling apart. They said it was amazing. And it WAS.As you may have guessed, the leading lady is Rachel, an Irish 20-something living the party life in New York. In the first few pages, she overdoses on pills and has to get her stomach pumped. Through a “huge misunderstanding,” she is deemed a drug addict and sent back to Ireland for rehab.That’s all I want to say about the plot, because one of the great pleasures of this book is the way it unfolds. It’s written in first person from Rachel’s POV, and seeing her life fall apart through her eyes is insane. It’s soul-crushing. You think everything is going just fine, and then Marian Keyes slips in these little bombs. Remember when you took 10th grade English and you studied Poe and your teacher talked to you about unreliable narrators? And you never thought you would ever talk about that sort of thing again unless you were a huge nerd like me? Well, saddle up and get ready to check your facts, because we are talking about unreliable narrators RIGHT. FUCKING. NOW. It makes the whole book ten times more interesting than a regular story of transformation and growth and all that shit.I would not expect that “soul-crushing” and “maddeningly addictive” would describe the same book, but here we are. I furiously texted Jana while I was on a fucking treadmill at the gym, where I was running and also reading Rachel’s Holiday on Kindle. I was texing Ali “OH MY GOD DID THAT JUST HAPPEN?” while I was trying to read and cook dinner at the same time (Warning: Do not try this at home unless you want a shitty dinner).So, yeah, I loved this book. I give it an A++++++++. I worship Marian Keyes for proving that chick lit (or, alternately, a book written by a woman for a largely female audience) doesn’t have to suck.
I’ll start by saying I was not aware that this was part of a series. It was a free eBook on my iPhone so I decided to give it a go. That being said, it works perfectly fine as a standalone book so you do not need to worry about reading the other books. What I have come to understand is that the series is about a dysfunctional family and each book tells the story of a different child, with no real suggestion towards the other books (or at least, this one had no suggestion towards the other books).I will also say that this is not my usual read. I decided to read it at a time when I was without a book. You know those situations where you leave the house with a book only to finish it when you still have hours to go before you can pick up your next one. Yeah, it was one of those moments. It took me a little bit of time to actually get into the book but once I did I found it to be rather enjoyable – and honestly, it was highly addictive simply because I wanted to know how it ended.Filled with numerous amusing moments, we bounce around Rachel’s life and the events that have left her in a rehabilitation centre. At times I did feel as though we were bouncing back and forth in time too much but it worked out well. I also felt as there was some rambling yet I think that was just part of the character. Once you’re into the story you soon start to ignore such things.Honestly, it was a really great, really surprising, read.
What do You think about Rachel's Holiday (2007)?
I just wanted to read romance.Romance. You know, in that care-free chick-lit way, since I've had dissatisfaction towards the ending of other books recently.Okay. You probably don't trust me. I've been throwing 4 and 5 stars around like it's Christmas. But I feel it's like Christmas, because I've suddenly been opened to a whole new genre that's not UF or PNR, and suddenly, everything is new and fresh and wonderful.So did I get romance with Rachel's Holiday? Not really- not in the way I wanted. In fact, if I wanted to read romance, reading this book could possibly the worst way to go. Because... Because Rachel's Holiday was about a woman who suffered from a drug addiction. I've seen no mention of a love interest, since the blurb mentions she was dumped by "a boyfriend she adores". How can that be? So, what happened was, instead of reading a nice light romance, I spent most of the book pissed off at Luke. He should be with her during the lowest time of her life. Even after discovering the horrors of her betrayal and her disloyalty, I was still determined to be pissed of at him. Yes, I find that I am disgustingly loyal to my main characters. So sue me.I cried. In fact, it was more like weeping. I actually considered rating this 3 stars, because what I wanted was to read a book that would make me laugh, but what happened was the entire time I was reading, the tears just wouldn't stop. Until it was about finished. I mean, why would I rate a book that made me cry to much so high? Was I nuts?? Thinking more carefully, this book really was something. There has to be something special about a book that has touched me so deeply. So, this shall be the 5-star book not because it made me laugh so hard, but because it had made me cry so hard. It wasn't because it was particularly sad, but maybe because I feel as though I'd been with Rachel through her worst. Now the ending. It more than made up for my expectations because my recent reads just didn't satisfy me enough. Rachel's Holiday's way of handling everything and the resolution just made me satisfied. Actually, I was horrified when I was close to the ending--you know, (view spoiler)[if the epilogue didn't happen, I would be horrified and traumatised for sure. Come on, she's got to be with Luke! (hide spoiler)]
—Ria Lize
I was in my 'chick-lit' phase when I read this book back in 2011.I think this is one of the best the Marian Keyes wrote, although she writes such good stuff it's difficult to separate them. She is so perceptive.The main character is living in New York and got into some really bad habits. So she gets into trouble (I've forgotten the detail) and ends up 'back' in Ireland, believing she's going to some kind of holiday area, but it's not..And thereby hangs a tale. Very well worth reading, and very much in depth.You'll love it.
—Quentin Feduchin
I have read this book so many times, marian writes about serious subjects and yet manages to inject humour into each serious situation and who better than the Walsh family, lots of Irish sisters each with their own traumas (see other books) and upsets supported by an amazing Irish mammy who cant cook and has her own amazing wit! And a daddy who just wants a bit of peace but has no chance of getting it! The walsh's are the type of family we all probably have or wish we had! Rachaels story tackles drug abuse but it is the journey we go on along with rachael that is so moving and handles so very well that it feels as if you have been through it yourself (even if you haven't) You will always remember this book! devour every book which has the Walsh family in it! Marians demands by fan's for 'Helens story' and "more please..." Inspired her to write two more in 2012! Thats how good they are and the rest of her books are just as good! Cannot praise her enough! MORE PLEASE!
—Sharon
