The Descendants - Kaui Hart Hemmings

Ok, to be fair, the main reason I picked up this book was the photo of George Clooney on the cover (I'll get to that later) but The Descendants is the best book I've read for a long time (and I read a lot of books).

The story centres around four characters, Matt King, his two daughters Alex and Scottie and his wife Joanie who has been in a coma for 23 days at the start of the novel due to a boating accident. Matt, a workaholic absentee father, must come to terms with learning about his daughters and how to be a father whilst also coping with the possible loss of his wife, a women who he learns was keeping secrets from him.

This is the first novel of Kart Hart Hemmings who is an amazing writer. Hemmings provides very believable characters and she gets you inside their heads pretty quickly so that you really want to keep reading and discover what will happen to them. She mixes moments of heartache with humour and the absurd that takes you on the journey of the characters. The book is very emotional without in your face other the top sentiment (Am not a sentimental person, I didn't even cry at titanic) that will make you laugh and cry but also question the nature of family, love, death, growing up and what it means to be a parent.
The book is also set against the beautiful backdrop of Hawaii and Hemmings is very successful at making the islands the subplot, it is clear from the writing that she has a real passion from the place and the book really expands your concept of the place (Is always nice to learn new things).

The book is a quick read at 283 (I read it in a couple of days) but is one those novels that will stay with you for a long time. I would strongly recommend reading it.

Oh, I almost forgot about George, the book was turned into a film starring Mr Clooney that was released early 2012. It was nominated for five Oscars and won best adapted screen play. I missed it at the cinema but will be buying the dvd.

This review is published under my user name on both Ciao and Dooyoo.
June 2012