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This Family: Your perfect summer read

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Absorbing and unexpected. It took some turns that I really didn't see coming, but which nonetheless felt plausible and satisfying." - Rebecca Wait A masterfully composed, perfectly observed family chronicle that feels utterly real in its evocations of grief, anger and love’ – Emma Hughes

My only qualm was the mention of so many major world events as markers for the years the family lived through; 9/11, the July bombings in London, the Indonesian tsunami, the COVID 19 pandemic. I felt it over complicated the narrative at times. Mary has raised her daughters in this house. Watched them play and fight and grow up in this house. Today it is the house where she will get married. Beautiful and compelling ... the most complex of dynamics are handled with the lightest, deftest touch... masterful." - Laura Kay As the past threatens to spoil the wedding, the family must overcome their differences and come together to focus on the future. As we watch the gentle dramas unfold, we are enveloped in subtle humour, sadness and sibling rivalry. Its relatability makes it hard not to get swept up emotionally (there may have been tears).I haven't really read any novels before that so clearly depict a short stint of time, while also providing the characters' entire life histories for context. The details were revealed gradually, and they were revealed well, eventually bringing the separate threads to a satisfying and interwoven conclusion. The end of summer, but still a hot, humid day. All are gathering to celebrate the wedding of the matriarch of the Roberts family, Mary. Over the years there have been fallings-out, estrangements and arguments, but the bride has requested that everyone be on their best behaviour for her special day. Will they be able to put aside their differences, the past betrayals and hurts? And put their love for Mary and her desire for peace above their personal feelings? This family is deeply flawed but there’s the potential for what unites them to be stronger than what divides. Messy, complicated joyful characters and relationships that sneak into your heart and make you care ... a bittersweet, deftly woven, captivating portrayal of a mother and daughters -- Jennifer Saint Novel Experience with Kate Sawyer is recorded and produced by Kate Sawyer - GET IN TOUCH or visit https://www.mskatesawyer.com/novelexperiencepodcast for more information.

Captures the ebb and flow of family dynamics in Chekhovian detail... makes you want to call out, wait for me! as the end approaches and the characters depart.' SUSANNAH WISE Laura Bates is a Sunday Times Bestselling author, an activist and speaker. Laura founded the Everyday Sexism Project in 2012 and has gone on to write multiple best selling non-fiction books about gender equality. She has spoken in the United Nations, the Houses of Parliament, is regularly called on to provide evidence for parliamentary reports and has been awarded a British Empire Medal for her work on gender equality. We don't find out who Mary is marrying until about half way through the book. I had a feeling who it might be though from commentary earlier in the book! Much drama has ensued over the decades. There is a lot of toing and froing from past to present. There are very complicated family dynamics at play here. Whilst this story can be sad, there is also some humour in it. It is a very insightful tale. The ending is excellent. Beautiful and harrowing but also optimistic and extremely moving . . . a truly arresting depiction of an unlikely relationship’ CLOVER STROUD This Family is the latest by The Stranding author, Kate Sawyer. I loved that book so much and I know lots of you reading this did too.A masterfully composed, perfectly observed family chronicle that feels utterly real in its evocations of grief, anger and love." - Emma Hughes Fans of The Stranding, rest assured-- This Family is every bit as good and then some. An absolute treat from start to finish.' NATASHA CALDER Subtle, intelligent, and so deeply moving . . . people who just feel so achingly real. Extraordinary -- A. J. West

I don't want to give any spoilers here, but I can understand why she is hyper-independent and why she closes down when she experiences physical and emotional hardships. She has often had to deal with issues on her own, because attention was being given elsewhere, to other members of the family. Extraordinary. So elegant, compelling and beautifully written... a vivid and insightful exploration of the complexities of sisterhood, adulthood, desire and grief.' DAISY BUCHANAN She herself has been through some trauma though, and as the eldest sister she was put in some positions of responsibility that should never have been hers to bear. Messy, complicated joyful characters and relationships that sneak into your heart and make you care ... a bittersweet, deftly woven, captivating portrayal of a mother and daughters." - Jennifer Saint

The vibrant, complex members of This Family are still alive and well in my imagination, weeks after I finished reading it. The rich, precise prose drew me into their world and held me there from beginning to end -- Jo Browning Wroe Sawyer's characterisation throughout This Family is excellent; although there were many different characters and different PoVs I was clear about whose perspective I was reading at all times.

The scattered members of Mary's close family are coming together to celebrate her marriage. Her one wish is that they can lay aside their differences for one day, to make one happy memory in the house that has meant so much to them all over the years. She wasn't always happy about this sense of obligation, but has always done what she believed was her duty to her family, and I was glad that with the wedding and resolution of the novel Mary was finally putting herself and her own happiness first. Having only recently read (and really liked) 'The Stranding', I was excited for this second offering from Kate Sawyer. I think that this will appeal to readers who love family sagas and the intimate dynamics of family life. Subtle, intelligent, and so deeply moving ... people who just feel so achingly real. Extraordinary.' A.J. WEST

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A quiet, piercing contemplation on what really matters when it comes to the end of the world. Strange and beautiful’ ABIGAIL DEAN But the news is about to catch up with Ruth, and her problems are going to be swept away…along with the rest of the world. A terrific debut. Brave, unexpected… transfixing and captivating… full of hope, resilience and love.’ THE SUNDAY TIMES Phoebe and Rosie are direct contrasts of each other, and while this of course makes for a fantastic character pairing, lots of great tension, and keeps the story interesting, it did make me feel so mad at times! How will it all play out? Will we find out how these sisters, that we will come to care so much about, fell apart so completely? Will they be able to restrain themselves for just one day? Will Mary get harmony for her wedding day?

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