Homesick

by Mary Minnock

Dublin 2002. Christina’s life is perfectly ordered and satisfactory. Her career is a success and her relationship with her new boyfriend, Steve, is going just fine. Until she gets a phone call telling her that her mother has had a stroke.Back in Galway, she discovers that her childhood bully is now a nurse in the hospital caring for her mother and as she is drawn into her family's dilemmas and problems, the tight control she has maintained for the past twenty years is threatened.Galway 1987. At home, Christina is a support for her mother who is doing her best to manage her large family. At school, she struggles to find her place among the other girls. When a new girl, Lynn, joins the class she hopes that she will find the close friend she has always wanted but instead the relationship becomes a source of dread.

313 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 16, 2023

Reviews

[Stella Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literally perfect book I read it in 3 days and couldn’t put it down!!!! I was fully immersed in this family dynamic and saw something relatable in every character. Go Mary!!!!!!! 🩵🩵🩵🩵

[Charlotte Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christina keeps a tight grip on the reins of her life, but her life is turned upside down and she’s forced to face the ghosts of her past when she’s called home.

‘Homesick’ is a heart wrenching family drama that centres on the Cavanagh family as it’s matriarch, Kate, falls ill. Eldest daughter Christina spent years avoiding her hometown and the ghosts it holds for her, and so is forced to face them while also managing the emotional turmoil of her mother’s illness. Although we mainly follow Christina’s story, both in the present and flashes from her childhood, we also hear from other members of the family, and the struggles they’re going through, making this a multi-faceted storyline.
My heart bled for the whole family as I read, at certain points towards the end I was reading through tears, as the true events that drove Christina away from Galway are revealed and the final moments at the hospital. The writing is compelling and brought all of these characters to life and had me hoping alongside the family that Kate would pull through. This is a highly character driven novel, one that deftly explores relationships - familial, romantic and friendship - as the complexities of each of the characters' lives are revealed. ‘Homesick’ is a story with great emotional depth that will leave you both heartbroken yet full of hope and itching to hold your loved ones a little closer.

[Aoife · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely relatable story that forces you to reflect on the teenage experience and its effect on choices made in adulthood. Engaging storyline which keeps an enjoyable pace that makes the read binge worthy! Wonderful description and language throughout. Highly recommended!

[Mary Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

homesick by mary minnock... wow! Just finished your book and OMLord!! It's so beautifully written. I told you on Wed pm that Im a slow reader but once I started I just couldnt put it down.
As it turns out I'm one of 9 also so I really enjoyed identifying my various siblings through your characters. At times I felt you must have been a fly on the wall in witnessing & then & then depicting my family. LOL. You told it so well. I'd imagine anyone reading your book who hasnt grown up in a large family will be hugely intrigued by it & those of us who have, will be instantly transported to our younger years. The way the different siblings interact, bounce off each other, some closer to one over another, all different opinions, different personalities, it's so real. I felt I was there with them throughout the book. So many memories revisited.
My favourite characters were Christina & Nicola and of course I fell in love with Steve.
Mary youre a gifted writer and I cant wait to read your next book.

[Ella Flaherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read. Mary’s debut novel is so beautifully written. It explores the transition from youth to adulthood, and the universal struggles that come with life, aging, and the human experience, in such an honest, relatable way. Christine’s inner monologue flows so gracefully, and makes for a book that could be read in one sitting, it is immersive and impossible to put down. I couldn’t recommend this novel enough, and I cannot wait to read more of Mary’s work in the future!

[Helen McCarthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The characters were very real and I was totally involved with Cristina.
I believe many people will identify with many aspects of her life.
An easy read but covered many serious topics

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to believe this is Mary Minnocks first book & it was an absolutely fantastic read. Mary got the complexity of life & i highly recommended.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Homesick was a thoroughly enjoyable read. It's hard to believe that this is Mary Minnocks first novel. It is a very relatable emotional read dealing with family, relationships and social circumstances. I particularly enjoyed the authors insightfullness into family dynamics and I found myself racing through the book to find out what happened and how things would turn out for Christine.

Highly recommended.

Maura

[John Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully written and very relatable story of trying to escape the drama of home and family. Christina is forced to confront her past as she visits her ailing mother in hospital. The events that of her youth that drove her away from this small town in the west of Ireland are gradually revealed. A gripping and heartbreaking read.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable read. 'Homesick' delves into the challenges experienced by a rural Irish family with an engaging mix of past and present, filled with emotion. A reminder to cherish time with loved ones. I have recommended this novel to friends.

[Katherine Sears · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book...it kept me thinking long after I finished reading!

[Noreen Delaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book I really enjoyed it.

[Anne Leary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would highly recommend this novel for any reader who likes vivid and relatable characters and a good story. The author has a talent for exploring the dynamics of family life, weaving these experiences into the narrative with great insight. I loved and admired the main character Christina whose position as the eldest in the family had advantages and disadvantages. I felt sorry for her lovely patient boyfriend Steve at times but as Christina's backstory unfolds my sympathy was entirely with her. Life in rural Ireland is well captured. The detailed descriptions of the farmhouse—often a risk for slowing down the pace—are handled skilfully and add depth without becoming tedious. One of the most impressive aspects of the book is its seamless shifts in perspective, which allow readers to connect with the characters and understand their motivations without disrupting the flow of the story. The psychological and social impact of bullying is effectively handled too.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed in Ireland on 30 November 2023
Homesick is a beautifully written book. It is easy to get absorbed in the story which centres around multiple characters within a family, all of whom are facing different challenges and stresses as they manage to cope with their mother’s sickness. Though the sick mother is not a central character, her presence tells us that this strong woman was the one who held the family together. The story alternates between the past and the present and resonates with all of us who grew up in rural Ireland. A delightful read!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well-crafted and accurate portrayal of a family in crisis. The protagonist, Christina, is torn between her duty as a daughter and the negative association of her hometown, which caused her to flee it many years before. Minnock's writing of Christina's emotions will surely resonant with many readers. The hospital scenes are faithfully depicted and had me reaching for the tissues on more than one occasion. The intricate interpersonal relationships are realistically characterized, with each member struggling to come to terms with their feelings and their place within the family.

[Fleury · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable book, great characters development and very interesting characters, although it dragged a little towards the end.
I also had to use my Kindle dictionary a lot, more than I'd prefer.
For example words like, "cohorts" "hitherto" "remination" "introspection" "stoic" and "imbued".
I'm either really thick or this is a misuse of English.
I thought that this was a good book (not the best, but good enough)
I've bought Mary Minnock 's other book "Love Lost" which I'm looking forward to reading.

[Magdalena Habersack · Rating 5 out of 5]

An image of emotions, a wave of feelings, a multitude of experiences and thoughts. All this surrounded by colorful and flowery language full of truth. With each chapter, the power of attraction and concern for the "characters" seem deeper and deeper. A wonderfully and delicately woven story conveys authenticity of expression and sincerity of message. While reading this novel, there was no end of emotion. Beautifully written, will have you deeply moved .

[deirdre macnamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Homesick is a beautifully written novel that draws you in effortlessly. Set against the backdrop of a family facing various challenges and stresses while dealing with their mother's illness, the narrative weaves between past and present. Although the sick mother isn't at the forefront, her indomitable spirit emerges as the glue that binds the family together. For those of us who grew up in rural Ireland, this book resonates deeply. A truly special read.

[Sandra Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I tend to flick between books but with this one I stuck with it, wanting to know what happens next. A sad situation of a mother's sudden illness throws a family into close contact. Memories flash back and we see the impact past has on present. Christina, the main character, is believable and I felt drawn to her and wanted to see how her story unfolded. Christina can seem detached but you sense there must be reasons for this and I found myself rooting for her.

[Sandrine Le · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was offered this book and the moment I started reading it, I couldn’t stop! The way it is written makes it feel so real. You can instantly relate to the narrator and to the other characters as well, each of them with their strengths and weaknesses that as the direct consequences of their past.
I highly recommend this book.

[Bren Farnhill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This brilliant story is expertly told across two timelines. With each 'revisit' to young Christina's life we come to better understand older Christina's life. The demands of a large family and the bullying she endured have scarred her deeply but we hope not irreparably.
A story of very real people, living very real lives, makes this unputdownable!

[Marie Cassidy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this as an audio book and enjoyed it so much! The storyline is universal and characters are very real and relatable. The narration by the author is excellent and really drew me in. I would really recommend this book.

[John Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this, I found Homesick very easy to read, a page turner if you will. Very well written in how all the characters lives interact. I found a lot of the characters and family dynamics very relatable. I really enjoyed this book and have been recommending since.

[Andrew Van Cutsem · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book that does an amazing job touching on the topics of living away from family, parents aging and childhood social life. I wasn't expecting to be so emotionally impacted by this book but it did a beautiful job of exploring these topics and was all too relatable in it's Irish context.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was the epitome of a page-turner; I could not put it down! The character development makes this book an emotional read. A beautiful combination of love, humour, nostalgia and growth. I was smiling, laughing and crying throughout. Mary is a very clever writer! 😊

[Pearse · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way the words are created in the book draws you in. You become invested in Christine, as the storytelling takes you on a journey, wanting to know what happens next. You will see yourself in the characters, in Christine's success and struggles and the treads of sibling relationships.

[Louise McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent first novel from Mary Minnock. A really enjoyable read could not put down until finished & sad when I did get to the end. Enthralling . Characters very believable & you could put yourself in their place. Really good read . Highly recommend to all readers.

[Margaret Buckley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely read. Author takes us on a journey with Christina and we move through the trials and tribulations of the Cavanagh family with lovely descriptive detail. A sadness in parts but characters seem to come full circle. A book that sticks with you. Would recommend for an enjoyable read !!

[Anne Chazot-Philibert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary Minnock's depiction of feelings and emotions is so true to life and her writing is so subtle that I truly had the impression Christina, the main character was confiding in me.
Homesick is a real page-turner and I heartily recommend it.

[Elma M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I savoured this heartfelt and insightful novel. Taking my time with books I so enjoyed how the story and the various characters within it unfolded. Also how the power of love can overcome so much. Looking forward to the next book.