The Descendants
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Product Description
New Statesman
`Hemmings deftly treads between sweetness and schmaltz... mischievous humour propels a simple tale of a dysfunctional family's coming together.'
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
Marie Claire
'Hemmings' quirkily assured touch, her grasp of the absurd ... ensures this novel's balance between heartbreak and hilarity'
--This text refers to the Paperback edition.
--This text refers to the Paperback edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
35 of 36 people found the following review helpful
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
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
The Descendents (Who needs useless spouses!!)
It's a refreshing change to find a novel that puts into words what many of us think about adulterous spouses, Matt Kings wife Joanie is in coma after a boating accident and as the... Read more
Published 14 days ago by DaveA
A great story about family and Hawaii
Joanie is in a coma that she'll never come out of. Her husband, Matt, is our protagonist. We follow the book through his eyes and thoughts, and get to know his daughters this way... Read more
Published 20 days ago by umbrellagalaxy
End of the affair.
The Descendants is essentially about a man forgiving his wife her indiscretions and coming to terms with his own mortality,and saying goodbye to not only their relationship but... Read more
Published 22 days ago by Tacky Modernism
superb
touching in its hard realism, not a tiny bit mushy or corny, un-put-down-able despite its lack of 'action'
couldn't wait to finish it so I could see it come to life on... Read more
couldn't wait to finish it so I could see it come to life on... Read more
Published 26 days ago by Giacomo
Room
This was recommended by a friend who used to teach English Literature. I was a bit put off by the use of language at the beginning but as I got into it could not put it down.
Published 1 month ago by Marian
It passed an afternoon
I found this to be a typically self absorbed US family saga, a cross between Gone with the Wind & the Wonder Years. Not really for me but it passed an afternoon.
Published 1 month ago by Mrs. B. Mitchell
The Descendants
This is a very well written book based on a tragic situation that feels very real due to the expertise of the author, who also manages to include some occasional light hearted... Read more
Published 1 month ago by wirly
A moving and entertaining read.
I bought this book after seeing and enjoying the film. The premise doesn't sound like it would be a barrel of laughs; it's a story about a man coming to terms with his wife's... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Maddy Reading
Good read
I enjoyed reading this book, it was easy to read and I wanted to read it before i saw the film.
Published 1 month ago by Harry
Enjoyable read
I am so glad I didn't go to see this film - even from the trailers I could see that the book is woefully misrepresented. Read more
Published 1 month ago by kindle fan
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