Who Would Like This Book:
This novel shines with its raw, heartfelt exploration of family, grief, and forgiveness, all wrapped in the lush setting of Hawaii. Kaui Hart Hemmings nails the frazzled, sometimes darkly funny voice of Matt King - a father suddenly responsible for his two troubled daughters and a crumbling legacy. The characters are vibrantly real, with all their flaws and lovable quirks, and the Hawaiian backdrop feels alive, adding unique texture to their emotional journey. If you enjoy family dramas, messy relationships, a dash of dark humor, and evocative settings, this book will resonate deeply. It’s also a must for fans of character-driven stories and anyone who loves seeing complicated emotions treated honestly.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers didn’t click with this book because of its meandering pace and present-tense narration, which can occasionally feel flat or emotionally distant. If you prefer tightly plotted stories with clear resolutions, or characters who are immediately likable, you might struggle here - Matt and his family are a dysfunctional, sometimes exasperating bunch. The story can be quite somber, touching on infidelity, loss, and regret, so if you're looking for something light and uplifting, this might not be the escape you want.
About:
The Descendants by Kaui Hart Hemmings tells the story of Matt King, a descendant of Hawaiian royalty, who must navigate the challenges of caring for his two daughters as his wife, Joanie, lies in a coma. The book delves into the complexities of family dynamics, grief, and the unexpected revelations that arise during times of crisis. The plot weaves together themes of love, loss, and the struggle to connect with one's family members in the face of adversity. The writing style is described as poignant, funny, and engaging, with a focus on developing realistic and flawed characters that readers can relate to.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings for The Descendants include themes of infidelity, terminal illness, and family dysfunction, which may evoke strong emotional responses from readers.
From The Publisher:
A descendant of one of Hawaii's largest landowners, Matt King finds his luck changed when his fun-loving, filghty 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...
Ratings (6)
Incredible (1) | |
Loved It (2) | |
It Was OK (3) |
Reader Stats (7):
Read It (7) |
1 comment(s)
One of my Off the shelf read. A story of a father with his daughters and bed ridden-about to die-Wife and complex relationships. I enjoyed it. Even though the language used was too bold (for some readers,i dont mind :P ) i laughed several times. Good humour, on time... yes, read this once
What can you read after
The Descendants?
About the Author:
Kaui Hart Hemmings is the author of the novel, The Descendants, which was made into a major motion picture, and the critically acclaimed short-story collection House of Thieves. Her writing has appeared in Zoetrope, Best American Voices 2006, and Best American Nonrequired Reading 2004. Hemmings grew up in Hawaii and lives with her husband and daughter in San Francisco.
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