Not your usual 'chick-lit'... (Rachel's Holiday - Marian Keyes)

Member Name: Lady_Lazarus

Product:	Rachel's Holiday - Marian Keyes
Date:	07/01/09 (37 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Well researched.

Disadvantages: None that I can think of.

I have spent many years reading 'chick-lit' for want of a better description. You kow the type; young girl stuck in dead end job with idiot boyfriend. Terrible things happen then she ends up with perfect boyfriend and brand new job. Etc. The end. And yes I do admit to liking them, it's a little bit of escapism. When I first picked up Marian Keye's Rachel's Holiday I was expecting pretty much the same story. And I am happy to say I was thoroughly surprise!

Marian Keyes bases a lot of her books around one family, each book concentrating on a different sibling. This book is, obviously, based around the character of Rachel. A young Irish girl living in New York, going out drinking, smoking and 'dabbling' in drugs. I could not put this book down as I read about Rachel's descent into alcohol and drug addiction; it was terrifying how easily it could happen and without the person even knowing.
Rachel's family and friends intervene and she is sent to a rehab centre. Rachel, expecting spas, massages, fresh fruit etc has the shock of her life when she sees the reality! I don't want to say too much but it is a genuinely touching story.

Marian Keyes has done her research for this book and drawn on past experiences; Keyes herself was in rehab for a period of time to recover from alcohol addicition. This reflects in this well written and thought provoking book. I would recommend this book to everyone and I'm sure you'll soon be ordering the rest of Keyes books as well!

Summary: A brilliantly written book which can appeal to nearly everyone.