A descendant of one of Hawaii's largest landowners, Matt King finds his luck changed when his fun-loving, flighty wife Joanie falls into a coma, victim of a boating accident. Matt is left in sole charge of his two daughters, teenage ex-model and recovering drug addict Alex, and Scottie, a feisty ten-year-old. And then Matt discovers Joanie has been having an affair. Deciding to seek out Joanie's lover so that he too has a chance to say his goodbyes, Matt takes to the road with his daughters on a memorable journey of painful revelations and unexpected humour...
The Descendants
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Review
"Gripping and funny... A brave and intelligent novel" (Sunday Telegraph)
"Shockingly irreverent and funny while exerting that all-important emotional tug... A well-plotted, unexpectedly twisting saga" (Guardian)
"Kaui Hart Hemmings' assured touch and her fine grasp of the absurd ensures that this novel steers a deliciously scenic route between heartbreak and hilarity" (Daily Mail)
"An assured and subtle writer. The islands rise lush and untamed in the background" (Observer)
"A darkly funny debut...a sharp story of emotional and sexual awakening in idyllic Hawaii" (Metro)
"Shockingly irreverent and funny while exerting that all-important emotional tug... A well-plotted, unexpectedly twisting saga" (Guardian)
"Kaui Hart Hemmings' assured touch and her fine grasp of the absurd ensures that this novel steers a deliciously scenic route between heartbreak and hilarity" (Daily Mail)
"An assured and subtle writer. The islands rise lush and untamed in the background" (Observer)
"A darkly funny debut...a sharp story of emotional and sexual awakening in idyllic Hawaii" (Metro)
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Now a major motion picture starring George Clooney
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
37 of 38 people found the following review helpful
By H. Callaghan
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
"The Descendants" is a tragicomic novel about Matt, workaholic father of two daughters and husband to the high maintenance Joanie, who is in a coma and whose life support has been switched off. The book is concerned with Matt and his daughters' quest to track down Joanie's lover and tell him that this will be the last chance to say goodbye.
I really enjoyed this, despite the fact that it revolves around an irreversible coma - Joanie as revealed is so unlikeable that her fate never really depresses you. The daughters (one 10 and one 17) are finely drawn (as is Alex' sort-of boyfriend) and as for Matt, just when you think he is most whipped, he surprises you with a show of grit.
I would never normally read a novel like this - not big on comic novels, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and the revelation about the business connections in the middle of the book was absolutely compulsive. I would definitely read something else by this author.
I really enjoyed this, despite the fact that it revolves around an irreversible coma - Joanie as revealed is so unlikeable that her fate never really depresses you. The daughters (one 10 and one 17) are finely drawn (as is Alex' sort-of boyfriend) and as for Matt, just when you think he is most whipped, he surprises you with a show of grit.
I would never normally read a novel like this - not big on comic novels, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and the revelation about the business connections in the middle of the book was absolutely compulsive. I would definitely read something else by this author.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By D. M. York
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review
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For a first book this is a spectacular success in my opinion. Whilst the story itself is not in itself particularly breathtaking, the way in which it is written as well as the characters and the various incidents throughout make it a particularly entertaining read. The story in itself is basically that of a wealthy yet dysfunctional family viewed through the eyes of the emotionally disconnected father, who has to come to terms with the fact that his wife will not come out of her coma and that he has no idea how to look after his two daughters in her absence. What ensues is a number of incidents with his daughters as they try to come to terms with each other and the major change that will soon happen in their lives.
Though this could be considered quite a heavy subject the book is written with a lot of good humour, though I do not usually laugh whilst reading this book did encourage a few giggles - something that very rarely happens with me. At the same time the book has a lot of heart, as though the main character is frustratingly unemotional you do get a clear feeling that to him life has suddenly changed violently and he is not sure how to deal with it. The characters are all rendered fantastically, especially his unusual daughter Scottie who continued to make me laugh throughout. The core of the story is adapting to change and that families will survive in one way or another. Fabulously well written.
Though this could be considered quite a heavy subject the book is written with a lot of good humour, though I do not usually laugh whilst reading this book did encourage a few giggles - something that very rarely happens with me. At the same time the book has a lot of heart, as though the main character is frustratingly unemotional you do get a clear feeling that to him life has suddenly changed violently and he is not sure how to deal with it. The characters are all rendered fantastically, especially his unusual daughter Scottie who continued to make me laugh throughout. The core of the story is adapting to change and that families will survive in one way or another. Fabulously well written.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
Funny in places, well written with an excellent flowing style from the point of view of a man whose wife is in a coma, and who has to come to terms with some disturbing revelations about his wife and two daughters. This is a tale of how a man learns to re-adjust after finding out that his life was different to all that he had believed.
Not really my cup of tea however. It was a thought-provoking idea that failed to maintain my interest right through to its conclusion.
Not really my cup of tea however. It was a thought-provoking idea that failed to maintain my interest right through to its conclusion.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Did not enjoy
I personally did not enjoy this book. I had trouble finishing it. If I did not have a rule I finish what I start I would not have wasted my time on the book.
Published 1 month ago by Carol
4.0 out of 5 stars
didn't see the film.....
...so though I would buy this holiday read on the advice of some list of 'good holiday reads' list! A very interesting plot with good observant writing - I enjoyed it tremendously.
Published 2 months ago by Suzipong
1.0 out of 5 stars
a reader
After seeing the film which was enjoyable I thought the book might be interesting. A real let down. Written in the first person throughout, laborious and unimaginative in style.
Published 3 months ago by ReaderA
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved this book
I thought this book was great, it was also sad too but I enjoyed it and would recommend this book to everyone!!
Published 4 months ago by sharon mc nulty
5.0 out of 5 stars
sympathetic account of the wealthy
Impressive first novel makes a family coping with the termination of a family life on life support poignant and perceptive. Read more
Published 4 months ago by barbicandy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
I wasn't sure I was going to like this book. I've never seen the film, as I wanted to read the book first and like I said I wasn't sure on the story, but I'm glad I read it. Read more
Published 4 months ago by E. Siney
4.0 out of 5 stars
A great story
This is a heartwarming story of family, and the different relationships between family members. I liked the description of Hawaii and its culture and customs
Published 5 months ago by jb
2.0 out of 5 stars
Predictable, paper thin (!) plot.
I'm not one for guessing the endings / twists of books, but the 'twists' in this book are telegraphed from the very beginning. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Mr. N. D. White
5.0 out of 5 stars
Uplifting and capturing
Absolutely loved this book. What's quite rare is to find a book which is just a really nice story and I think that's what i would class this as. Read more
Published 8 months ago by keenreader
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gorgeous
This debut novel is absolutely gorgeous. I feel like I'm in Hawaii all the while reading it. The characters too are very endearing. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Sara
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