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Here Among Us
When unemployed San Francisco attorney, Flynn O’Shea, and her teenaged daughter, Didi, are summoned to New Jersey for the Thanksgiving holiday by Flynn’s socialite sister, Maeve, she expects a fight.
After all, she has been battling Maeve most of her life. Disagreeing about the extent of their Irish mother’s creeping dementia and the fate of the family’s thriving restaurant business, named for their beloved, long dead father, Paddy, is surely a recipe for a world-class brawl.
What Flynn doesn’t expect is the fragile truce the sisters forge to save O’Shea’s from the clutches of Maeve’s scheming husband, Jeffrey. Flynn and Maeve are reluctantly aided by their forty-four-year-old brother, Osheen, a handsome Peter Pan still cruising the Jersey shore, getting high and dodging responsibility.
And while Didi tries to convince her mother that “everything is as it should be,” just when Flynn is sure she’s gained the upper hand on Jeffrey, her own mother’s shocking confession sends her into a wine-soaked tailspin and forces her to deal once and for all with the ghosts of her past. Devastated, Flynn must choose to save O’Shea’s or risk losing forever all she has left of her father.
In Here Among Us, the O’Sheas find themselves dealing with the very timely issue of Alzheimer’s, a disease that strips the victim's identity and wreaks havoc on the family left to pick up the pieces. But Flynn, Osheen and Maeve’s troubles began long before their mother started to “slip.” For the O’Sheas, much of their shared angst is rooted in the single most devastating event of their lives—the death of their father when they were young children. The novel explores not only how deep wounds can seem impossible to heal, but how refusing to let go of the stories the O'Sheas desperately cling to about who they are, threatens to hasten their demise.
After all, she has been battling Maeve most of her life. Disagreeing about the extent of their Irish mother’s creeping dementia and the fate of the family’s thriving restaurant business, named for their beloved, long dead father, Paddy, is surely a recipe for a world-class brawl.
What Flynn doesn’t expect is the fragile truce the sisters forge to save O’Shea’s from the clutches of Maeve’s scheming husband, Jeffrey. Flynn and Maeve are reluctantly aided by their forty-four-year-old brother, Osheen, a handsome Peter Pan still cruising the Jersey shore, getting high and dodging responsibility.
And while Didi tries to convince her mother that “everything is as it should be,” just when Flynn is sure she’s gained the upper hand on Jeffrey, her own mother’s shocking confession sends her into a wine-soaked tailspin and forces her to deal once and for all with the ghosts of her past. Devastated, Flynn must choose to save O’Shea’s or risk losing forever all she has left of her father.
In Here Among Us, the O’Sheas find themselves dealing with the very timely issue of Alzheimer’s, a disease that strips the victim's identity and wreaks havoc on the family left to pick up the pieces. But Flynn, Osheen and Maeve’s troubles began long before their mother started to “slip.” For the O’Sheas, much of their shared angst is rooted in the single most devastating event of their lives—the death of their father when they were young children. The novel explores not only how deep wounds can seem impossible to heal, but how refusing to let go of the stories the O'Sheas desperately cling to about who they are, threatens to hasten their demise.
- GenresContemporaryFictionDrama
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2010
7 people are currently reading
220 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
November 24, 2012
(Part of a review on my blog, The Reader's Commute)
I am always drawn to books centered on family drama (I think this stems from reading Flowers in the Attic in sixth grade… but that’s another story entirely). I think it’s fascinating to examine people who have grown up together as they carry their relationships into adulthood. Harryman does a beautiful job of weaving memories and flashbacks into the present narrative, giving us, the readers, glimpses into the past. This allows us to better understand why these family members behave and interact as they do.
At the center of this novel is the character of Patrick, “Paddy” O’Shea. The O’Shea children each remember their deceased father in different ways, but it is Flynn’s memory of Paddy, as a larger-than-life hero, that stands out most strongly. Flynn’s version of her father also seems to match up with the version of Paddy presented at O’Shea’s, the family restaurant and bar. It’s interesting and sad to read about a family who has built their livelihood on a ghost, banking on nostalgia.
As is the case with a story that follows multiple main characters, I was worried about getting bogged down with too many storylines or getting stuck reading about a few characters that I despised. However, I found each member of the O’Shea family to be unique and equally worth my attention. Most compelling, I believe, were the characters of Maeve, a sister who presents herself in one way but lives her life another way, and Oona, a matriarch struggling with old age and silent grief.
While Flynn seems to be the main character here, I enjoyed reading this more as an ensemble piece, with each O'Shea family member adding something intriguing to the story's mosaic. Here we have a portrait of a family clinging to the past, but forced to face the changes of the future.
At 304 pages, I read Here Among Us fairly quickly. I mainly read it at the library on my campus, although I imagine it would be a lovely book to read on a commute. I felt transported to Maeve's kitchen table, where I could drink wine with Flynn. I could almost smell the beer and hearty food at O'Shea's. I felt the cold winter air in the park, where the O'Shea children relive a painful memory. It's a novel full of sensory details, and one that transports you to a certain time and place.
The one gripe I had with the story was a hastily thrown-in storyline dealing with a romance between old acquaintances. While some of the romantic relationships were very important to the story and added to it as a whole, I did not feel that this particular one felt realistic or necessary to the story. I was much more interested in the family relationships and reconciliation between family members.
I am always drawn to books centered on family drama (I think this stems from reading Flowers in the Attic in sixth grade… but that’s another story entirely). I think it’s fascinating to examine people who have grown up together as they carry their relationships into adulthood. Harryman does a beautiful job of weaving memories and flashbacks into the present narrative, giving us, the readers, glimpses into the past. This allows us to better understand why these family members behave and interact as they do.
At the center of this novel is the character of Patrick, “Paddy” O’Shea. The O’Shea children each remember their deceased father in different ways, but it is Flynn’s memory of Paddy, as a larger-than-life hero, that stands out most strongly. Flynn’s version of her father also seems to match up with the version of Paddy presented at O’Shea’s, the family restaurant and bar. It’s interesting and sad to read about a family who has built their livelihood on a ghost, banking on nostalgia.
As is the case with a story that follows multiple main characters, I was worried about getting bogged down with too many storylines or getting stuck reading about a few characters that I despised. However, I found each member of the O’Shea family to be unique and equally worth my attention. Most compelling, I believe, were the characters of Maeve, a sister who presents herself in one way but lives her life another way, and Oona, a matriarch struggling with old age and silent grief.
While Flynn seems to be the main character here, I enjoyed reading this more as an ensemble piece, with each O'Shea family member adding something intriguing to the story's mosaic. Here we have a portrait of a family clinging to the past, but forced to face the changes of the future.
At 304 pages, I read Here Among Us fairly quickly. I mainly read it at the library on my campus, although I imagine it would be a lovely book to read on a commute. I felt transported to Maeve's kitchen table, where I could drink wine with Flynn. I could almost smell the beer and hearty food at O'Shea's. I felt the cold winter air in the park, where the O'Shea children relive a painful memory. It's a novel full of sensory details, and one that transports you to a certain time and place.
The one gripe I had with the story was a hastily thrown-in storyline dealing with a romance between old acquaintances. While some of the romantic relationships were very important to the story and added to it as a whole, I did not feel that this particular one felt realistic or necessary to the story. I was much more interested in the family relationships and reconciliation between family members.
January 13, 2020
This is a lovely family story about three siblings whose lives were deeply affected by their father's sudden death when they are all still children. Thirty years later, their father, Paddy O'Shea, is still "Here Among Us", and the bar he started still supports the family, even Flynn, an attorney who turned her back on the business and moved across the country. The story takes place over a long Thanksgiving weekend when they are all in their forties and haven't been together for years. Viewpoint slips easily between each of the two sisters, their brother, and their elderly mother. Beautifully written with just the right touch of humor and a perfect ending.
December 2, 2012
A review copy was provided for an honest review. Here Among Us is charming, insightful, and heartfelt. A fun book to read on an uneventfully rainy day. The characters could be a reflection of my own family for there are so many similarities. I love when novels can make you feel the exact emotion that the characters are experiencing; which was accomplished wonderfully. Here Among Us is extremely relatable and you can draw upon many of the issues and topics discussed; easily finding a bridge between this fictional story and your own realities.
Flynn O'Shea is very cynical and suspicious of her family's motives for all her past dealings with them has proven this. Even more so when her sister Maeve forces her to stay with her for the Thanksgiving holiday knowing full well that they can't tolerate each other. Didi is calm, collected, and has an interestingly strained relationship with her mother Flynn. She is constantly annoyed by her mother's behavior and just wants to find some common ground between them. I found I related most with Didi and realized how much of the same characteristics we both share and that made me want to read on to see how her and the rest of her family's drama was handled. I'm glad I gave this book a chance because it was a really good read and it really made you feel connected to each individual. Each O'Shea has secrets they aren't divulging which is an entertaining exploration especially reading about there life stories and how they all distance themselves from one another and how they come together again.
The story is riddled with family drama, pain & loss and the rediscovery of old love. Not normally the genre I review but I read the summary and felt this novel would be something special, and it was. It's inspiring, written well, and just overall a lovely read that will capture both your mind and heart. Told from many perspectives this story follows the every day struggles of the dysfunctional O'Shea family. Admittedly at times I became a little confused as to whose view I was reading from but it didn't take away from the story. Here Among Us has many important life lessons and wise advice within its telling. Like all families no one is perfect. Maggie Harryman creates a very believable tale with extremely realistic characters. DEFINITELY WORTH READING!
Flynn O'Shea is very cynical and suspicious of her family's motives for all her past dealings with them has proven this. Even more so when her sister Maeve forces her to stay with her for the Thanksgiving holiday knowing full well that they can't tolerate each other. Didi is calm, collected, and has an interestingly strained relationship with her mother Flynn. She is constantly annoyed by her mother's behavior and just wants to find some common ground between them. I found I related most with Didi and realized how much of the same characteristics we both share and that made me want to read on to see how her and the rest of her family's drama was handled. I'm glad I gave this book a chance because it was a really good read and it really made you feel connected to each individual. Each O'Shea has secrets they aren't divulging which is an entertaining exploration especially reading about there life stories and how they all distance themselves from one another and how they come together again.
The story is riddled with family drama, pain & loss and the rediscovery of old love. Not normally the genre I review but I read the summary and felt this novel would be something special, and it was. It's inspiring, written well, and just overall a lovely read that will capture both your mind and heart. Told from many perspectives this story follows the every day struggles of the dysfunctional O'Shea family. Admittedly at times I became a little confused as to whose view I was reading from but it didn't take away from the story. Here Among Us has many important life lessons and wise advice within its telling. Like all families no one is perfect. Maggie Harryman creates a very believable tale with extremely realistic characters. DEFINITELY WORTH READING!
December 23, 2023
The Irish bar in South Orange, New Jersey, central to this story, is the most well-developed character in this novel, set in 1970. The widow and three children Paddy O'Shea, an Irish boxer and bar owner, now run the enterprise of this flagship bar/restaurant and two others mentioned in passing.
The fight between the family and the avaricious hedge-fund manager husband of the eldest daughter provided the force unifying the siblings but fell short of being the Hitchcock MacGuffin plot device that moves the story along. The climax of the book could have used more suspense.
All the characters were flawed human beings, refreshingly so: a reminder first that things are not what they seem, and most everyone is quietly dealing with the vagaries of life, and hidden motivations may trigger surprising actions. The characters seemed to shift allegiances and act from ulterior motives, another refreshing element.
The introduction of a romantic interest for youngest sister, Flynn, a San Francisco lawyer, seemed extraneous and distracting. I would have preferred to know if the “downsized” Flynn took the job in New York City or opted to remain in San Francisco (which she felt was home now). Also the fact that some questions remained unanswered might have been intentional (Flynn's parentage, and the part that was left unsaid about Edna McGarry).
Paddy is portrayed as a gentle, sensitive, and loving father, yet incongruously, his wife is described as thinking of him as “a bit of brute force shoved into a pair of pants.”
I read this book on Kindle, probably paying $0.99 on Amazon. The book was published in 2012, but as other commenters mentioned, the text is full of punctuation and grammatical errors, as are other Kindle books. Are these early editions not given a proper copy edit or line edit? I found more than 50 comma errors (both missing and extraneous), missing hyphens in unit modifiers (three-time divorcée, life-threatening heart ailment), and use of the nominative rather than objective pronoun in a prepositional phrases in almost all instances. The name Claudia is spelled Clauida three times. Several long sentences were muddled.
It is lovely that proceeds from the sale of the oil painting used for the cover art was donated to the Art Helping Animals Organization.
The fight between the family and the avaricious hedge-fund manager husband of the eldest daughter provided the force unifying the siblings but fell short of being the Hitchcock MacGuffin plot device that moves the story along. The climax of the book could have used more suspense.
All the characters were flawed human beings, refreshingly so: a reminder first that things are not what they seem, and most everyone is quietly dealing with the vagaries of life, and hidden motivations may trigger surprising actions. The characters seemed to shift allegiances and act from ulterior motives, another refreshing element.
The introduction of a romantic interest for youngest sister, Flynn, a San Francisco lawyer, seemed extraneous and distracting. I would have preferred to know if the “downsized” Flynn took the job in New York City or opted to remain in San Francisco (which she felt was home now). Also the fact that some questions remained unanswered might have been intentional (Flynn's parentage, and the part that was left unsaid about Edna McGarry).
Paddy is portrayed as a gentle, sensitive, and loving father, yet incongruously, his wife is described as thinking of him as “a bit of brute force shoved into a pair of pants.”
I read this book on Kindle, probably paying $0.99 on Amazon. The book was published in 2012, but as other commenters mentioned, the text is full of punctuation and grammatical errors, as are other Kindle books. Are these early editions not given a proper copy edit or line edit? I found more than 50 comma errors (both missing and extraneous), missing hyphens in unit modifiers (three-time divorcée, life-threatening heart ailment), and use of the nominative rather than objective pronoun in a prepositional phrases in almost all instances. The name Claudia is spelled Clauida three times. Several long sentences were muddled.
It is lovely that proceeds from the sale of the oil painting used for the cover art was donated to the Art Helping Animals Organization.
April 23, 2021
Nice
This was an easy, pleasant read. There were moments when it felt a bit like everything, including the kitchen sink, was getting thrown in, but family is messy that way.
This was an easy, pleasant read. There were moments when it felt a bit like everything, including the kitchen sink, was getting thrown in, but family is messy that way.
December 6, 2012
Did I enjoy this book: I did enjoy this book. It kept me interested and reading until the end. In fact, I was kind of sad to see this book end. I wanted more. Don't get me wrong, the ending was great and fitting but I wasn't ready for it to end. I wanted to read more about these characters.
The characters were very well-written. I felt for all of the siblings in some way at one point or another. Osheen, the brother, kept to himself but was always there for his sisters. He did his job and truly loves his father's pub. Maeve, the oldest sibling, was overbearing and bossy most of the time. But I have to wonder if that isn't because of what was going on at home. She wants to do what is right...but seems conflicted as to what is right for whom, her family or her husband. Flynn, the baby sister, was the character that I felt the least for and I'm not sure why that is. I loved her in the end and I hope all ends well for her. Maybe that is why I had a hard time accepting the fact that the book was over...I think towards the end, I finally started to connect with Flynn and I wanted more of what happens to her.
One thing that I didn't quite understand was why Didi wanted to stay and how that just happened. She is 16 years old. She shouldn't get to dictate to her mother what she does and when she does it. But it didn't bother me to the extent that it "ruined" the book for me. It was a small, irksome thing that I got over rather quickly. Also, there was only one loose end that tied up rather quickly and neatly but was never explained. I wish that it had been explained or that the reader had been told how the character found out the truth. (I would go into more detail, but that would spoil the book for those who have not read it. When you read it, you will probably figure out the part I'm speaking of.)
Bottom line, you want everything to work out for the O'Shea family. The reader gets to know each of the characters throughout the book and connect with each of them.
Would I recommend it: I would recommend this book. It was a good read.
Will I read it again: I will not.
http://everyfreechancebookreviews.blo...
The characters were very well-written. I felt for all of the siblings in some way at one point or another. Osheen, the brother, kept to himself but was always there for his sisters. He did his job and truly loves his father's pub. Maeve, the oldest sibling, was overbearing and bossy most of the time. But I have to wonder if that isn't because of what was going on at home. She wants to do what is right...but seems conflicted as to what is right for whom, her family or her husband. Flynn, the baby sister, was the character that I felt the least for and I'm not sure why that is. I loved her in the end and I hope all ends well for her. Maybe that is why I had a hard time accepting the fact that the book was over...I think towards the end, I finally started to connect with Flynn and I wanted more of what happens to her.
One thing that I didn't quite understand was why Didi wanted to stay and how that just happened. She is 16 years old. She shouldn't get to dictate to her mother what she does and when she does it. But it didn't bother me to the extent that it "ruined" the book for me. It was a small, irksome thing that I got over rather quickly. Also, there was only one loose end that tied up rather quickly and neatly but was never explained. I wish that it had been explained or that the reader had been told how the character found out the truth. (I would go into more detail, but that would spoil the book for those who have not read it. When you read it, you will probably figure out the part I'm speaking of.)
Bottom line, you want everything to work out for the O'Shea family. The reader gets to know each of the characters throughout the book and connect with each of them.
Would I recommend it: I would recommend this book. It was a good read.
Will I read it again: I will not.
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December 11, 2012
This was a different sort of book for me to read. I initially chose to read it due to its coverage of Alzheimer's. I can relate to that because my dad has this disease. I saw a few things that reminded me of him as I read through the book, and this portion truly resonated with me.
I am sad to say that I was unable to connect with any of the characters in the book. It did cover issues of siblings, death, and much more, and the author did a fantastic job of writing about these issues. But I just could not connect with them, and that is just my issue, and mine alone. Nothing against the author.
I could have done without the profanity. It did keep me from enjoying this book as much as I would have liked to. There were some sexual issues, but no bedroom scenes from what I could see. I believe that if the author had shortened the book or possibly divided it into two books, I would have enjoyed the book more. But again, that is my opinion.
If you are looking for a book that covers the issue of Alzheimer's and more, this may just be the book for you.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
I am sad to say that I was unable to connect with any of the characters in the book. It did cover issues of siblings, death, and much more, and the author did a fantastic job of writing about these issues. But I just could not connect with them, and that is just my issue, and mine alone. Nothing against the author.
I could have done without the profanity. It did keep me from enjoying this book as much as I would have liked to. There were some sexual issues, but no bedroom scenes from what I could see. I believe that if the author had shortened the book or possibly divided it into two books, I would have enjoyed the book more. But again, that is my opinion.
If you are looking for a book that covers the issue of Alzheimer's and more, this may just be the book for you.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
December 8, 2012
I received a free copy of this novel for my honest review. Alzheimer’s is a pretty tragic disease, and Here Among Us does an excellent job describing how a family deals with the issues that come up and figuring out what’s fact and what’s fiction. This was a great book, and you could feel for each character. I think out of all of them, I related to Flynn the most. Returning home for Thanksgiving, she felt like an outsider getting glimpses of her siblings’ lives. The close unit they once had been was no longer there. She’d grown up and had her own life 3000 miles away while everyone else stayed behind. It also broke my heart that none of the three kids had ever gotten over their dad’s death, which had occurred when they were little kids. Now as adults, seeing their mom losing her faculties was more than they could bear. This is a fantastic book about acceptance, family, love, letting go and moving on.
August 1, 2013
This author really knows her craft! By the time I was finished reading it I didn't want to let those characters go. Flynn, Maeve and Osheen's characters came to life for me, as well as their mother, Oona. I also particularly got involved with the character named Michael.I strongly felt the loss and grief the O'Shea family went through and hoped somehow they could move on while still cherishing memories. This author has woven a deep, thoughtful tale about what families go through, the secrets and lies and just plain misunderstandings that can cause years of problems. I wondered all through the book if something would happen that would change the course of the O'Shea's lives and bring this family back together.
December 3, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. Siblings Maeve, Osheen, and Flynn are together spending Thanksgiving with their mother, Oona, who may be in the beginning stage of Alzheimer's. Maeve wants to divorce her husband Jeffrey but is afraid that he will leave her with no money and will get custody of their son Declan. Flynn has lost her job as an entertainment attorney in San Francisco and isn't sure what she will do next. Osheen, the perpetual bachelor, is content running the family's restaurants but may be losing his girlfriend Eileen. As the week progresses secrets from their past come to light. This feuding trio has to find a way to get past their rivalries and become a united family.
May 17, 2016
I am reading it on my Kindle. I'm at about 71%. I decided to check Goodreads to see if I can be encouraged to finish it. The grammatical errors are tough for me to ignore. There are batches of extremely long, run-on sentences. I counted 90 + words in one sentence. On the last page I just read, Maeve said, " She sent it to Flynn and I". Really? If I can get past these grammatical errors, the story is ok. There are many plots and subplots and I'm having trouble sorting them and all the characters out. I have to admit though, that as much as I wanted to quit hours ago, I am curious as to how everything gets sorted out. I'll try to continue.
March 27, 2013
My opinion: I have to be honest with the reader of this review, this story didn't necessarily keep me interested. I found it to be slightly predictable and melodramatic, which can be found in numerous books of the same genre.
As a former social worker in long term care/senior services, what really impacted me to give the book 3 stars was how the author nailed the family dysfunction (sometimes deep seated), which often accompanies or is exacerbated by the diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease/Dementia.
Source: Author for review
Would I recommend? : For the right audience.
As a former social worker in long term care/senior services, what really impacted me to give the book 3 stars was how the author nailed the family dysfunction (sometimes deep seated), which often accompanies or is exacerbated by the diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease/Dementia.
Source: Author for review
Would I recommend? : For the right audience.
November 21, 2012
Overall a very good read with all its intriguing details, colorfully set to give you and overall feeling of accomplishment as the two old lovers come together, finding each other after all the years of confusion and loss. The author kept the pace alive and vivid so that it did not bore you with all the details. The characters strong and believable as they grow into understanding of each role they live.
The rest of my Review will be on my Blog on the 11/22
The rest of my Review will be on my Blog on the 11/22
February 2, 2013
Although I was turned off by the f-bomb being dropped so close to the beginning of the book and although I found a number of punctuation errors and typos throughout the book, I am still giving this book 5 stars because of the character development. I will miss the Irish family whose stories are told in this book.
November 11, 2013
A very nice way to start the Thanksgiving season! The dysfunctional Irish family who are all struggling with their past, present and future. When out of work San Francisco sports lawyer Flynn O'Shea and her daughter Didi are summoned to New Jersey for the Thanksgiving holiday. Memories swirl real and imagined. . .
January 7, 2013
Pretty predictable but had a couple of surprising events. I wish the author had developed the characters more--she gave just enough to make me want to go back and re-read it to see if I missed something on each of them. This was an easy read.
February 20, 2013
I read this as a free kindle book- one of the best freebies I've found so far. I'm a sucker for family drama and the bonds of siblings. I found my self rooting for the characters and wishing for a happy ending.
June 22, 2015
I was interested in the book for two reasons; the Irish culture and the New Jersey setting. When you read about an area you know and they use familiar names of towns, it brings you into a book. The story line held me until the end when it really dropped off.
July 22, 2013
Chose to stop reading this book midway through. Was bored out of my mind and couldn't connect with any of the characters.
January 15, 2013
Loved Maeve, Flynn, and Osheen! Most of all loved the setting.....my hometown . I felt like I was back in South Orange....... A fantastic place to grow up.
March 5, 2013
I got this book free so that alone made it three stars. However pretty predictable. Family In crisis everyone works it out in the end. Yawn.
February 16, 2013
very engaging story
painfully real and flawed characters
but, silly grammar and spelling errors that should have been caught
painfully real and flawed characters
but, silly grammar and spelling errors that should have been caught
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews