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The House That Jack Built
When life gives you a second chance…
At sixteen years old, Jack Joyce loses her virginity to her brother’s charming and charismatic friend, Matt. She finds the experience an unexpected disappointment and whilst her friends spend their twenties settling into their careers, Jack spends it partying, desperately trying to recreate the youth she felt she should have had.
More than a decade on — living in a tiny flat in Dublin, as a single mother and in a dead-end job — she still dreams of Matt, Thin Lizzy and those days of old. So, bumping into her first love at the point when her future seems its bleakest feels like destiny. Is this Jack’s second chance? Matt may be married, and have kids, but surely divine intervention must count for something? If only Jack can shift some weight and stop drinking, who knows what might happen.
When Matt invites her to join an evening class he's teaching, Jack’s fantasies soar to new heights. She soon finds that he has set her on the first step of a journey that will change her life forever. Only it isn’t quite the journey she had in mind…
At sixteen years old, Jack Joyce loses her virginity to her brother’s charming and charismatic friend, Matt. She finds the experience an unexpected disappointment and whilst her friends spend their twenties settling into their careers, Jack spends it partying, desperately trying to recreate the youth she felt she should have had.
More than a decade on — living in a tiny flat in Dublin, as a single mother and in a dead-end job — she still dreams of Matt, Thin Lizzy and those days of old. So, bumping into her first love at the point when her future seems its bleakest feels like destiny. Is this Jack’s second chance? Matt may be married, and have kids, but surely divine intervention must count for something? If only Jack can shift some weight and stop drinking, who knows what might happen.
When Matt invites her to join an evening class he's teaching, Jack’s fantasies soar to new heights. She soon finds that he has set her on the first step of a journey that will change her life forever. Only it isn’t quite the journey she had in mind…
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2001
3 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 24, 2018
In 2016 when I was new to Net Galley I requested this book. I forgot all about it until this week when I decided to devote some time to “catch up”.
I looked at this, then read the blurb, then questioned myself as to why would I ask for this? I’m not really a chick lit kinda reader.
Oh boy was I mistaken.
This is so good.
You have dysfunctional family, alcoholic problems, it’s definitely a family drama.
I’ve never read anything by this author her writing flows so well.
This was a gold find for me.
I looked at this, then read the blurb, then questioned myself as to why would I ask for this? I’m not really a chick lit kinda reader.
Oh boy was I mistaken.
This is so good.
You have dysfunctional family, alcoholic problems, it’s definitely a family drama.
I’ve never read anything by this author her writing flows so well.
This was a gold find for me.
October 18, 2016
Mrs. Barry has grown to be one of my favorite authors. Her writing style is amazing, engaging from the first sentence. And this book was no exception.
The story she tells in this book revolves around Jack (my favorite Catherine Barry character) and her life journey. It was entertaining, and touching, and I have to note that this is one of those books that I will read over and over again.
The story she tells in this book revolves around Jack (my favorite Catherine Barry character) and her life journey. It was entertaining, and touching, and I have to note that this is one of those books that I will read over and over again.
April 16, 2024
The House That Jack Built by new to me author Catherine Barry introduces the reader to Jacqueline “Jack” Joyce, a woman whose life isn’t going at all the way she had hoped. While her childhood friends have all grown up and settled down into careers and relationships, Jack seems to be on an ever-spiraling descent of hopeless dreams and missed opportunities. When she becomes pregnant, she moves back home to Dublin, but having the added responsibility of a child seems to feed Jack’s resentment.
This story is not all what I was expecting. I was expecting a cute chick-lit type story about a woman who has failed miserably in love, but somehow reconnects with the man she lost her virginity too and before you know it they ride off into the sunset. No, instead, this book gives the reader an in-depth look into the life of a woman who is holding on the glory days of the past and an unplanned pregnancy doesn’t seem to change her outlook. As resentment about the failures in her life increases, she begins over comforting herself with alcohol, a lot of alcohol. Parts of this story were disturbing to read as she takes out her anger and frustration on everyone around her, including her son, David. Growing up as a child of alcoholic parents, this book triggered me on several occasions to the point of tears. My heart broke for David and for the people in Jack’s life who are powerless to help her. My heart also broke for Jack and the pain she suffered in her life and her inability to love herself.
This book is powerful and raw with truth and emotion. Jack is forced to face the mess she has made of her life, admit she’s an alcoholic and that she needs help. The author does an amazing job of bringing Jack to life and the journey she is on is told with complete honesty, brutal at times, but full of the pain Jack is carrying, the reader can’t help but have empathy for her.
My Final Verdict: For a book that I was not expecting, I loved this story. Through the pain and tears I felt and shared with Jack, this story is so worthwhile as everyone is worthy of love and second chances are possible. I highly recommend this story to readers who like stories that give them strong connections to the characters and don’t mind when life isn’t always sunshine and daisies.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of The House That Jack Built from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This story is not all what I was expecting. I was expecting a cute chick-lit type story about a woman who has failed miserably in love, but somehow reconnects with the man she lost her virginity too and before you know it they ride off into the sunset. No, instead, this book gives the reader an in-depth look into the life of a woman who is holding on the glory days of the past and an unplanned pregnancy doesn’t seem to change her outlook. As resentment about the failures in her life increases, she begins over comforting herself with alcohol, a lot of alcohol. Parts of this story were disturbing to read as she takes out her anger and frustration on everyone around her, including her son, David. Growing up as a child of alcoholic parents, this book triggered me on several occasions to the point of tears. My heart broke for David and for the people in Jack’s life who are powerless to help her. My heart also broke for Jack and the pain she suffered in her life and her inability to love herself.
This book is powerful and raw with truth and emotion. Jack is forced to face the mess she has made of her life, admit she’s an alcoholic and that she needs help. The author does an amazing job of bringing Jack to life and the journey she is on is told with complete honesty, brutal at times, but full of the pain Jack is carrying, the reader can’t help but have empathy for her.
My Final Verdict: For a book that I was not expecting, I loved this story. Through the pain and tears I felt and shared with Jack, this story is so worthwhile as everyone is worthy of love and second chances are possible. I highly recommend this story to readers who like stories that give them strong connections to the characters and don’t mind when life isn’t always sunshine and daisies.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of The House That Jack Built from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
July 26, 2017
"...The Wisdom To know The Difference..."
The House That Jack Built by CATHERINE BARRY
Catherine Barry was 31 in May 1993 as she stood in the enrapt audience of a Peter Gabriel concert (the European leg of his "Secret World Tour" at "The Point" in Dublin). There was something magical about the combination of the music and the visuals – both perfectly complimenting the thought-provoking lyrics. The sheer positivity of it all hit this young Irish woman’s blurred mind like a freight train of truth. She looked down at the drink she’d been clutching in her right hand all night and felt sudden disgust. It was her breakthrough moment. It was her "Solsbury Hill". "Hey!" he said. "Grab your things…I’ve come to take you home…"
Four days later (and without drink for the same amount of time) she entered her first AA meeting. Alienated, shaking with nerves and bowing to the disease’s sly thought-processes – she bolted for the door. But a man’s hand alighted on her shoulder and told her it would be alright – best stay love – best stick it out. It was 'Charlie' – the ramshackle lead character of her book. Sober for 26 of his 52 Dublin years, Charlie Gallagher would become her 'sponsor' – her 'Big Bang' as she describes him. This book (told in the first person) is effectively a homage to him – a thank you letter to an infinitely kind soul who would embolden her in the battle ahead - a thousand times and more.
On a confessional like this there are so many pitfalls the author could have fallen into – the long litany of hurt and humiliation very quickly becoming 'poor me' text – and worse – the more dirt and depravation you dish out, somehow the more commercial it becomes. Luckily this lady has had the smarts to ration the first and not feature the other at all. But to lighten the very real and disturbing blows you do get as the paragraphs and years pass by, the read is also very witty and self-deprecating. Every few pages there’s a 'bollox' here, a 'gobshite' there and a few 'FTW's' into the bargain (**cking Time Wasters). And the sentences come at you in that wonderful way that Irish Writers have – (witty about suffering for her art) "I would wear hand-knitted shawls made out of crude sack and write only with ancient quills…" - (truthful about losing her lover to the disease) "…every time he drank or did drugs, he left me…"
Her journey begins by attending meetings every single night for two years – the first twelve months of which are truly horrific. We learn of an abusive husband (himself an addict) who beat her and their two young children first with verbal terror – then fists and kicks. We get to know about Ireland’s woefully ineffective restraining orders, first name terms with the Police, asked by the program to pray for the monster that tortured them, being constantly broke, surviving through carboot sales. Then - despite at first feeling like a true soulmate - the newest love in her life Michael turns out to love 'the gear' more than he does her. There follows a failed suicide attempt by a cliff at night (stopped by Charlie who sensed her mood in advance)…
But then there are also the small mercies - the crew of the film "The Van" (based on Roddy Doyle’s book) turn up on her doorstep two weeks after a flood has wrecked her entire home and pay her £1000 to use it in their shoot. She rediscovers writing - poems, articles and books follow and pay the bills – and when that runs out – another lucky win alieviates the crippling mortgage and accrued debts… and all of this whilst 'handling' the addiction on a daily basis.
Speaking of which, one of the strengths of "Charlie & Me" is the insights it gives you into just how staggeringly insidious the disease really is. Like a jabbering trickster, the demon is constantly on their shoulder with a voice that is slyly soothing and clinically precise – always looking for an opening – a weak moment. On a bad day it goes like this:
"My family hates me. My partner’s left me. I’ve lost my job. If I got another job, I wouldn’t be able to hold it down anyway. My looks are going too. People suffer me rather than love me. One won’t matter now. I’d be doing them all a favour. It's just one drink…"
On a good day it tries a different tack:
"I'm four months sober now. I'm doing well. The Christmas Party is here. Everyone drinks at Christmas. It's fun. I was always much more fun when I'd had a few drinks. Besides, even if I have quick one now with my friends at the office, I'll be able to get sober again after it. I've proved that. I can handle it this time…"
So as the pages pass, you begin to 'get' why a sponsor is so necessary and inexplicably caring – they're recovering addicts themselves. They've been there – heard all of the excuses – manufactured the same lies themselves – done all the dirty deeds to family, friends and even their own children – and all the while felt the same wretched guilt. A good sponsor (like Charlie) understands implicitly what the addict 'needs' - which differs hugely from what the slippery disease makes the addict say they 'want'. You feel his wisdom and presence throughout the entire book and hurt at his own weakness when a persistent cough he won't 'deal' with has consequences too…
When you think of the huge number of 'sponsors' planet-wide who have given their endless patience and understanding to recovering addicts – it’s a lovely notion and a great idea for a book (it’s almost odd that someone hasn’t thought of it before). There is none of us free of addiction of one sort or another – it’s just that for some - taming the beast is a matter of life or death. "Charlie & Me" chronicles that journey. It’s funny, brutal and at times (like life itself) crushingly sad.
I liked this book. I liked what it’s trying to say – the heart behind it. And I think it’s courageous (in the truest sense of the word) that right now somewhere in the world a formerly lost soul is standing up at an AA meeting and uttering the extraordinary words of "The Serenity Prayer" - and meaning it with every fibre of their being. And every week after that - their 'Charlie' will be standing in the background watching over them - quietly spiritual - smiling as they summon up yet again the sheer will it takes to stay 'well' and reach out for that second chance at life.
It's very moving. And like this book, it's beautiful…
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and…the wisdom to know the difference..."
The House That Jack Built by CATHERINE BARRY
Catherine Barry was 31 in May 1993 as she stood in the enrapt audience of a Peter Gabriel concert (the European leg of his "Secret World Tour" at "The Point" in Dublin). There was something magical about the combination of the music and the visuals – both perfectly complimenting the thought-provoking lyrics. The sheer positivity of it all hit this young Irish woman’s blurred mind like a freight train of truth. She looked down at the drink she’d been clutching in her right hand all night and felt sudden disgust. It was her breakthrough moment. It was her "Solsbury Hill". "Hey!" he said. "Grab your things…I’ve come to take you home…"
Four days later (and without drink for the same amount of time) she entered her first AA meeting. Alienated, shaking with nerves and bowing to the disease’s sly thought-processes – she bolted for the door. But a man’s hand alighted on her shoulder and told her it would be alright – best stay love – best stick it out. It was 'Charlie' – the ramshackle lead character of her book. Sober for 26 of his 52 Dublin years, Charlie Gallagher would become her 'sponsor' – her 'Big Bang' as she describes him. This book (told in the first person) is effectively a homage to him – a thank you letter to an infinitely kind soul who would embolden her in the battle ahead - a thousand times and more.
On a confessional like this there are so many pitfalls the author could have fallen into – the long litany of hurt and humiliation very quickly becoming 'poor me' text – and worse – the more dirt and depravation you dish out, somehow the more commercial it becomes. Luckily this lady has had the smarts to ration the first and not feature the other at all. But to lighten the very real and disturbing blows you do get as the paragraphs and years pass by, the read is also very witty and self-deprecating. Every few pages there’s a 'bollox' here, a 'gobshite' there and a few 'FTW's' into the bargain (**cking Time Wasters). And the sentences come at you in that wonderful way that Irish Writers have – (witty about suffering for her art) "I would wear hand-knitted shawls made out of crude sack and write only with ancient quills…" - (truthful about losing her lover to the disease) "…every time he drank or did drugs, he left me…"
Her journey begins by attending meetings every single night for two years – the first twelve months of which are truly horrific. We learn of an abusive husband (himself an addict) who beat her and their two young children first with verbal terror – then fists and kicks. We get to know about Ireland’s woefully ineffective restraining orders, first name terms with the Police, asked by the program to pray for the monster that tortured them, being constantly broke, surviving through carboot sales. Then - despite at first feeling like a true soulmate - the newest love in her life Michael turns out to love 'the gear' more than he does her. There follows a failed suicide attempt by a cliff at night (stopped by Charlie who sensed her mood in advance)…
But then there are also the small mercies - the crew of the film "The Van" (based on Roddy Doyle’s book) turn up on her doorstep two weeks after a flood has wrecked her entire home and pay her £1000 to use it in their shoot. She rediscovers writing - poems, articles and books follow and pay the bills – and when that runs out – another lucky win alieviates the crippling mortgage and accrued debts… and all of this whilst 'handling' the addiction on a daily basis.
Speaking of which, one of the strengths of "Charlie & Me" is the insights it gives you into just how staggeringly insidious the disease really is. Like a jabbering trickster, the demon is constantly on their shoulder with a voice that is slyly soothing and clinically precise – always looking for an opening – a weak moment. On a bad day it goes like this:
"My family hates me. My partner’s left me. I’ve lost my job. If I got another job, I wouldn’t be able to hold it down anyway. My looks are going too. People suffer me rather than love me. One won’t matter now. I’d be doing them all a favour. It's just one drink…"
On a good day it tries a different tack:
"I'm four months sober now. I'm doing well. The Christmas Party is here. Everyone drinks at Christmas. It's fun. I was always much more fun when I'd had a few drinks. Besides, even if I have quick one now with my friends at the office, I'll be able to get sober again after it. I've proved that. I can handle it this time…"
So as the pages pass, you begin to 'get' why a sponsor is so necessary and inexplicably caring – they're recovering addicts themselves. They've been there – heard all of the excuses – manufactured the same lies themselves – done all the dirty deeds to family, friends and even their own children – and all the while felt the same wretched guilt. A good sponsor (like Charlie) understands implicitly what the addict 'needs' - which differs hugely from what the slippery disease makes the addict say they 'want'. You feel his wisdom and presence throughout the entire book and hurt at his own weakness when a persistent cough he won't 'deal' with has consequences too…
When you think of the huge number of 'sponsors' planet-wide who have given their endless patience and understanding to recovering addicts – it’s a lovely notion and a great idea for a book (it’s almost odd that someone hasn’t thought of it before). There is none of us free of addiction of one sort or another – it’s just that for some - taming the beast is a matter of life or death. "Charlie & Me" chronicles that journey. It’s funny, brutal and at times (like life itself) crushingly sad.
I liked this book. I liked what it’s trying to say – the heart behind it. And I think it’s courageous (in the truest sense of the word) that right now somewhere in the world a formerly lost soul is standing up at an AA meeting and uttering the extraordinary words of "The Serenity Prayer" - and meaning it with every fibre of their being. And every week after that - their 'Charlie' will be standing in the background watching over them - quietly spiritual - smiling as they summon up yet again the sheer will it takes to stay 'well' and reach out for that second chance at life.
It's very moving. And like this book, it's beautiful…
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and…the wisdom to know the difference..."
September 4, 2007
I really really really enjoyed this book. I truly enjoy Barrie's writing style. I read a short story that she had written for Irish Girls About Town and enjoyed it so much that I decided to read her book. It was not at all what I was expecting but I felt really connected to the characters. It's a story about a woman's journey and a life changing realization. I'd say it's a 4.5 kind of book. I'd buy it and read it again, that's for sure. It really appealled to the social worker in me haha. I read it in one night.
March 6, 2016
Libro scoperto per caso, sì è rivelato una bella sorpresa. E' la storia di Jacqueline, Jack, nata in un quartiere popolare di Dublino negli anni '70. E' una storia di mancanza di sogni, mancanza di progettualità, mancanza di autostima, come unica soluzione la fuga sempre e comunque, da tutti e da tutto.
Con uno stile scorrevolissimo, tante emozioni e sentimenti forti, l'autrice ci accompagna in un viaggio nell'inferno dell'alcolismo, nell'autodistruzione da cui risorgere e imparare a costruire partendo da se stessi.
Questo è l'argomento principale del libro: la caduta e la rinascita da una dipendenza raccontata con leggerezza ed ironia.
(Le descrizioni sono decisamente fuorvianti ...)
Con uno stile scorrevolissimo, tante emozioni e sentimenti forti, l'autrice ci accompagna in un viaggio nell'inferno dell'alcolismo, nell'autodistruzione da cui risorgere e imparare a costruire partendo da se stessi.
Questo è l'argomento principale del libro: la caduta e la rinascita da una dipendenza raccontata con leggerezza ed ironia.
(Le descrizioni sono decisamente fuorvianti ...)
August 21, 2023
Ho letto questo libro ormai diversi anni fa, ma vorrei recensirlo e consigliarlo, perché mi è rimasto nel cuore. Trovai questo libro per caso su uno scaffale di un albergo a disposizione per lo scambio dei libri. Annoiata iniziai a leggere la storia, che inizia in Irlanda, anni '70, di Jacqueline, protagonista con un caratterino e che vive un po' fuori dagli schemi, ma che in realtà mostra aspetti tipici della sua giovane età: scarsa autostima, senza obiettivi per il futuro, fa scelte sull'onda emotiva ed incontra i problemi dell'alcolismo. Forse tutto potrebbe cambiare quando scopre di essere in procinto di diventare madre e capisce che è l'ora di cambiare qualcosa nella sua vita per se stessa ma non solo. I testo scorre leggero e racconta un po' la storia di una rinascita.
November 13, 2016
Obtained this book from NetGalley and feared it wouldn't be my thing. How wrong I was! This is a well-done story of a young woman coming to grips with a dysfunctional family, single-parenthood, and alcoholism. It is not pretty and at times, it's hard to like Jack. But it is honest and the reader winds up rooting for her every step of the way.
April 15, 2020
I'm still undecided about this book, I did read it to the end. I just got frustrated with Jack, who managed to get it all wrong, but then that was the point of her journey to self discovery.
February 11, 2023
Honest and confronting
January 2, 2024
Davvero una bella scrittura, ti prende già dalle prime pagine
October 26, 2016
The House that Jack built... not what I expected it to be, it was much better!!! This is the first book by Catherine Barry that I have read and I really loved it.
I loved the characters and how she told us Jack's story, how she brought Jack to life. Not everyone has a smooth ride in life and this is especially true of Jack, this book takes us on a journey, Jack's journey in fighting her demons and coming to terms with herself and her life.
i would recommend this book to readers of woman's fiction, a very well written story that will stay with me for some time.
Thank you to Endeavour Press and Netgalley for the copy.
I loved the characters and how she told us Jack's story, how she brought Jack to life. Not everyone has a smooth ride in life and this is especially true of Jack, this book takes us on a journey, Jack's journey in fighting her demons and coming to terms with herself and her life.
i would recommend this book to readers of woman's fiction, a very well written story that will stay with me for some time.
Thank you to Endeavour Press and Netgalley for the copy.
July 17, 2016
Siamo in Irlanda negli anni '70. Ammetto di aver letto pochi libri ambientati in questi anni, peccato, perché questo mi è piaciuto abbastanza. La protagonista, Jacqueline, ha un carattere difficile, ma comune in molti giovani: non ha autostima per sé stessa, non si crea progetti e obiettivi per il futuro, anzi cade nell'alcolismo. Diventata mamma, capisce che non può andare avanti così e cambia atteggiamento, cercando di curarsi. Ecco, è la storia di una rinascita, raccontata dalla Barry in modo leggero. Alcune parti mi hanno annoiata, ma nel complesso carino!
Read
January 17, 2015I have read this before, & had often thought of two scenes from this story, but didn't remember this is where they were from. I found her search to find /fix herself motivating. However, I was distracted by some factual errors & also some lack of continuity in the story. (eg changing the background of her friends)
February 16, 2014
Picked it up on a whim, really enjoyable, I only keep books I'll read again, make room books, this ones a keeper
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews