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Rachel's Holiday cover art

Rachel's Holiday

By: Marian Keyes
Narrated by: Gerri Halligan
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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 listeners say about Rachel's Holiday

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Rachel's Holiday

Rachel's Holiday is, in my opinion, one of Marian Keyes' best books. I've read on her website that it will soon be adapted for cinema and I can't wait. Her amazing talent allows her to create real and believable characters and I'm sure I'm not the only woman who has read her books and seen part of herself reflected in one of them (I would like to add here that my relationship with narcotics amounts to paracetamol once in a blue moon, I refer to her characters in general) This is another great installment in the Walsh family escapades .Great book and fantastic narrator, if you haven't read/listened to it yet, I recommend you do so.

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28 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Never disappointed by Marian Keyes

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

It has everything. Laughs, tears, surprises, sex, romance, a bit of mystery. It's all there! I love the way that Marian Keyes stories unfold by giving you little snippets of what has happened in the past rather than unveiling it all in one go. everything is given to you at the right part of the current part of the story. That is, the 'back story' affecting the 'current' part of what is happening is explained at that point, so that you are always clear on why something happens as it does. A very clever way of writing that gets you hooked. Another point is that even though I haven't experienced many of the things the characters in the book have (never taken illegal drugs, never been drunk, never travelled, never had one night stands etc), I always feel I can empathise with the character. Marian Keyes always hits the right note.

What other book might you compare Rachel's Holiday to, and why?

In some ways, this book is, of course, similar to The Mystery of Mercy Close where Rachel's sister Helen spends a little time (some years after this book is set) in a psychiatric unit, but in other ways, it is almost like the tale of bereavement in .......... No, I can't say, because it would spoil it if you haven't already read it!

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

Most probably Rachel as she is the most prominent character, but Helen's comments always make me laugh.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Marian Keyes always writes books that I want to listen to or read in one go. Thankfully they are long enough that it usually takes at least 2 days. As usual, I feel a little bereft when I have finished, but I know I will listen to it again.

Any additional comments?

I have only one more in the collection to listen to. Please, please Marian, write more about the Walsh family! I know there are only so many adventures one family can have, and only so many amazing ideas one author can come up with but pleeeeaaase!

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17 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Hugely addictive and enjoyable

Probably my best audible experience so far.
Will definitely have to listen to more Marian Keyes
Brilliant narrative, full of humour, but sensitively written.

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15 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I'm crying because its so good!

Maybe its because my family has struggled with substance misuse issues, but this story resonated with me in a big way. it made me laugh and cry and was so raw and honest that some of the times it had me in tears, wanting to hug the family member that had gone through addiction and tell them how proud I was of them for coming out the other side. this should recommended reading for anyone who has in some way had to deal with addiction. Such a wonderful book, and so well narrated.

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Nice to go back to an old favourite

This is one of Marian Keyes earlier stories about the Walsh family, and I'd read it many years ago. The audible version added to rather than detracted from my memory of the original, the narration was excellent

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Truly awful

Not for me!! Boring, tedious and dull. Only lasted 3 hours!! Must be the only listener to admit this!

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Love!

I loved this audio book, it's by far my favourite one and the first one I had downloaded. I have listened to it several times and it still makes me laugh!

I love Rachel's outlook on everything, even though she is in a tough situation.

The narrator is great too, she is great at differentiating voices and makes it even more enjoyable !

Love!

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

An inside view on addiction

What did you like most about Rachel's Holiday?

Well formed charactures with very believable lives and ideology . A realistic insure into to the mind of an addict but not losing touch with the real world.

What did you like best about this story?

The passionate way in which the main characture was lucid all the way through the story, both with and without the influence of drugs .

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The lucid language made me cry with laughter and sorrow on many occasions

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it!!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

It is a great read, very engaging and for those who follow Walsh family yet another good story about Walsh sisters.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved Rachel and her delusions how everything she did was under control. The slow reveal of Rachel true addiction was quite shocking as through her rehab I couldn’t get that she was so much suffering or had any withdraw symptoms. But then again the book offers true and lies, and for most of the time the reader can only relay on what Rachel is saying.

What about Gerri Halligan’s performance did you like?

Love irish accent, very well read book.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Rachel relationship with her mum. I think mummy Walsh should be a little bit more shaken but I guess she is just mummy Walsh and everything is great :)

Any additional comments?

This is definitely book I will read/ listen to again.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Brings to life the humour and heartbreak

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

Funny, Sad, Hopeful

Who was your favorite character and why?

It has to be Rachel. The way the book is written you feel part of her life; her emotions, aches and pains - sadness and joy. You want to shout at her when she gets it so horribly wrong and cheer as she figures it out.

What does Gerri Halligan bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Bought a wonderful three dimension feel to the book. As it is written in the first person it made sense for a single person to narrate it, but really made the characters and especially Rachel that more real and her emotions much more alive.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Both - and rage and huff. A full spectrum was displayed.

Any additional comments?

An oldie but a goodie - I love this book!

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5 people found this helpful