November book club

Hi Monica! I loved the book - it definitely got me thinking about how I can never quite make up my mind whether I like getting round robins to catch up on the news from the past year - or whether I detest them because they are egotistical, dull or self-important. What's your view?

Sat & finished book this afternoon. A very easy read. I am guessing it was written as Monica has received some of those awful Round Robins! Why on earth do people send them?? If you were that interested in what 'friends' & their families are doing then you would keep in touch through the year. I never bother to read them. We get one every year from someone we have not seen in 20 years updating us on her cats!! I have my own cats- I love them to bits but they don't DO that much worth reporting.
I found all the characters with the exception of Ig & Joan very irritating but I didn't actually dislike them. They all just needed to sit round the table & have a good talk occasionally. I found the ending predictable but that is not a criticism. It was a nice ending although I bet they miss that farm & the views.
Was the tracing of family in Ireland something Monica has done herself? If so did she actually hear of any bogus companies offering tracing services?

Thank you for Hello from tbe Gillespies, I have almost finished it, am enjoying it. Not read this author before- will buy them. Intend to pass this book onto my daughter. So gratefulfor your book gifts- good to be intrduced to books I probably not think of buyingThe wives of Los Alamos for instance

I am loving the book but am just over half way through, I only read for about an hour a day.
The story just flows from page 1 and you get drawn in to the family ups and downs. I was fascinated by the idea of the Christmas letter because I receive several of these every year, I am going to pay closer attention to them in future.
No question to ask but would like to say well done this is a most enjoyable book.

Thank you so much for my copy of Hello from the Gillespies.I am half way through and really enjoying it!I will be posting comments soon as I can't put it down...

Firstly, yes Granny activist, does Joan have a life? I hadn't really thought about that. I did wonder what she was going to do when Angela and family left to live in Aderlaide.

When I was about 3/4 of the way through perhaps slightly more there seemed to be a lot of unanswered questions and I didn't feel there were enough pages left to answer them all and I was anticipating a poor ending but was pleasantly surprised. It didn't fizzle out. Well done Monica. I ended up feeling a bit sorry for Lindy. Monica, did you consciously not let all the characters have a happy ending? On reflection going over to Ireland and starting to 'live' seemed a much better choice for her. Have you stayed out in the outback? I've read that every year there are fatal accidents when spiders fall out of the car sun visors. I thought that was really clever using that in your plot.

I finished them book a few days ago and am still missing it.

I enjoyed this book very much. Had a bit of a problem with the girls at first as they seemed more like early twenties, but when I think of my granddaughters (five sisters) all strong independent young women, as soon as they are all together in the family home they revert to how they were years ago, the petty squabbles, the in-jokes, they all re-surface. I loved the description of life on the farm.
Have never sent or received a round-robin myself, I wonder if anyone will be brave enough to send Monica one this Christmas.

I would like to ask Monica which was her favourite character and why?

I had forgotten that I also had wondered about the ages of the girls. They did seem more like twenty somethings and I wondered what else they had been doing. Was it important for the story for Angela to have been married for 34 years and for her to have had the twins so early in her marriage?

hello! My question is this: The descriptions of the outback were very vivid. Have you experienced life there yourself?

Thanks!

-Suzy

I wonder about the Christmas letters. Everyone seems to have received one but no-one ever admits to sending them- so Monica is your deep dark secret that you actually used to send these things?

Monica,

I very much enjoyed the book and would be interested to know where you draw your inspiration from.

Thank you,

MaceyR

I have had too many late nights this week wanting to read just another chapter. Thoroughly enjoyed the book although i'm not sure I am happy about the ending. It seemed a bit sudden and abrupt to up sticks and move away after several generations living on the station. But now there is another whole story waiting in Adelaide!
I agree with others about wanting to give those children a good smack! especially Lindy, but then the other girls on the family thought the same.
I loved the descriptions of the area, with the huge distances between closest neighbours who thought nothing of popping over at the drop of a hat.Everything is relative!
It was a nice easy, comfortable read - and with luck might put off a few people from writing dreadful Round Robin letters - just imaging if it was YOUR letter that recipients acted out!

My copy arrived today! I must admit I'd forgotten about it and was pleasantly surprised when the postman delivered it this morning. I'll probably start reading it tonight!

Have just managed a little 'me time’ to start reading..looking good

I received my copy a few days ago and am now halfway through it. I absolutely love this book. I love to "discover" a new author and will be reading all Monica McInerney's other work. Thank you!

Really enjoyed this. Quite light but with real character depth. The girls really needed to grow up and Ig, at times, seemed more mature than them. Haven't we all had a relative a bit like Celia? Mine was my MIL but unfortunately she never changed! No question but wanted to say how much I enjoyed it.

Just settling down for a good read. Thank you.

My copy arrived and i got started like others found it easy to read
i could identify with many of the characters and must admit i do recieve
round robins from my friends about twice a year looking forward to the
next one

Thank you for my copy of this months book. Really loved this and couldn't bear to put it down. I think we all would like to be honest with our family but I for one say what I think they want to hear not how how I really feel. The characters were all lovely but I could definitely identify with the main character.

I too have received a copy and will be starting to read it shortly. Thankyou

Finished the book- looked forward to my bedtime read every night. It had quite a few twists and turns and kept me guessing. My eldest granddaughter wants to borrow it, but I want to read it again first. Shall look forward to the author's next book

Thank you Gransnet for this gripping book. It had everything, Love, family disputes, memory loss, which kept us on the edge of our seats waiting to see if she would "come back".
I felt sorry for Lindy, the middle one and the one left out, but I suppose that sometimes happens to the middle ones. I wouldn't know being an only child. Dear little Iggy, who had a strong character when things were going wrong round him, and so good with Angela.
My slight criticism would be that I felt it should have ended on page 508
The rest of the book felt like a "catch up" where the author had thought I suppose my readers will want to know what happens and squashed it all in. A bit like the ends of Long Lost Family on the TV!!
But it would make a marvellous film, lets hope some Producer reads it.
Thank you Monica McInerney I shall look out for more of your books.

Thanks so much Monica for such a good read,we all know of families like The Gillespies don't we ? I can relate to the relationship between the sisters as I am one of 4 sisters and the comment such as "Ig get down" Lindy called "Dont embarrass me" whilst Lindy was waiting for Richard, my younger sisters used to do the same to me when waiting for a boy to turn up,so things never change.
Do you think families who live so far away from other families and friends tend to be more vocal with each other ?
I am 3/4 way through and just can't put it down so very well done and I will certainly tell others about it.

Thank you for the book, this was my type of book I really enjoyed it. I'm sure there is or has been a Celia in most families!

I did find the sisters very immature for their age but I imagine that was how they were meant to be seen. I look forward to your next book.

Thanks for my copy of this book. I enjoyed reading it, though it is not my usual style. It is pleasantly upbeat. I am curious about Joan: is she modelled on someone in Monica's life, or is she someone she wishes she had had in her life? I think everyone needs a Joan.