Rachel's Holiday

By: Marian Keyes

Narrated by: Gerri Halligan

Length: 16 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

Rachel Walsh is 27 and the miserable owner of size 8 feet. She has regular congress with Luke Costello, a man who wears his leather trousers tight. And she's fond - some might say too fond - of recreational drugs.

Until, that is, everything goes pear-shaped and she finds herself being frog-marched to the Cloisters - Dublin's answer to the Betty Ford Clinic. She's outraged. Surely she's not thin enough to be an addict?

Rachel isn't expecting plump, middle-aged men in brown jumpers, and more group therapy than you can shake a stick at. Heartsick and Lovesick, she seeks redemption in the shape of Chris - a man who might be more trouble than he's worth.

©2001 W F Howes Ltd (P)2001 W F Howes Ltd

What Delusions We Entertain When In Denial!

What a terrific journey into the mind of an alcoholic. No . . . she isn't an alcoholic? Right? Everyone is overreacting . . . right? The story was both sad and hilarious. Gerri Halligan did a great narration - as usual. I was engaged right from the start and enjoyed every moment of this "holiday" tale.

Loved

A modern story filled with laughter and tears. There is romance but not the kind that leave you cringing and irritated as its so surreal and UNTRUE. A CAPTIVATING story that makes you realise the struggle within someone addiction

Great story

If you could sum up Rachel's Holiday in three words, what would they be?

A Great Listen

Who was your favorite character and why?

I really liked Luke! He was very honest

Which character – as performed by Gerri Halligan – was your favorite?

Rachel

Any additional comments?

I found some parts of the book a bit slow, but overall it was a great book! So well written and narrated! It really let you see inside an addicts mind. I will probably listen to this one again at some point!

A truly wonderful, charming and insightful book

It is amazing how Marian Keyes has taken one of the most serious topics, addiction and rehab, and infused it with humor, fun and a huge roster of amazing characters - while at the same time, dealing with this difficult topic with the utmost sensitivity and insight. We went through a similar situation with a very close family member and despite all the counselors, therapists, and others we've seen and all the 'serious' books we read, nothing came anywhere near as close in showing me what the world looks like through an addict's eyes. Nothing came anywhere as close in showing me what 'good' therapy can accomplish. I got the book without knowing its subject - I'd enjoyed another of the Keyes' books and wanted a dose of that gentle humor - and would have enjoyed it tremendously even without my personal experience of the subject. But what a bonus to have learned so much!

Desperately needs an edit.

Good story, great writer and audio performer, but the amount of trivial social minutia made it hard to continue. The character is hard to like at times and that’s the point, but when you can skip multiple chapters of her preparing to meet the next plot point you have a problem.

Not funny

Would you try another book from Marian Keyes and/or Gerri Halligan?

Not another Marian Keyes book, but the reading was excellent.

Would you recommend Rachel's Holiday to your friends? Why or why not?

No, I would not because I found it a weird mix of chick lit humour and a serious look at addiction.

Which character – as performed by Gerri Halligan – was your favorite?

Rachel

Did Rachel's Holiday inspire you to do anything?

It inspired me to stop listening - repeatedly! But I did eventually hear the whole thing.

Any additional comments?

Based on this book (supposedly one of her best) I cannot understand Keyes' popularity.