The Homemade God

A Novel

De: Rachel Joyce

Narrado por: Rachel Joyce, Sarah Winman

With sparkling wit and insight, this “gorgeous . . . page-turner” (People) from the bestselling author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry reminds us that family is everything, even when it falls apart.

“The beautiful writing, unforgettable characters, and stunning setting make this a must-read.”—Bonnie Garmus, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Lessons in Chemistry

“It’s all here, dear readers. Art. Beauty. Pain. Redemption. Rachel Joyce’s masterful skill and emotional breadth are dazzling.”—Adriana Trigiani, author of The Good Left Undone

There is a heatwave across Europe, and four siblings have gathered at their family’s lake house to seek answers about their father, a famous artist, who recently remarried a much younger woman and decamped to Italy to finish his long-awaited masterpiece.

Now he is dead. And there is no sign of his final painting.

As the siblings try to piece together what happened, they spend the summer in a state of lawlessness: living under the same roof for the first time in decades, forced to confront the buried wounds they incurred as his children, and waiting for answers. Though they have always been close, the things they learn that summer—about themselves—and their father—will drive them apart before they can truly understand his legacy. Meanwhile, their stepmother’s enigmatic presence looms over the house. Is she the force that will finally destroy the family for good?

Wonderfully atmospheric, at heart this is a novel about the bonds of siblinghood—what happens when they splinter, and what it might take to reconnect them.

©2025 Rachel Joyce (P)2025 Random House Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

“The mysterious death of an artist causes havoc among siblings in a novel that astutely observes family dynamics . . . Joyce is also exceptionally good at blending the big stuff of life with the small . . . a sharp, absorbing and emotionally intelligent novel.”—The Guardian

“The Homemade God shares the characteristic generosity of Joyce's seven previous novels but there’s something darker at play.”—Harper’s Bazaar

“A beautifully written family drama . . . Long after I finished the last page, I found I missed these characters—always the sign of a special book.”—Good Housekeeping

Beautifully written

The lush scenery and the beautiful writing could not make up for the despicable characters. It was a very difficult book with the father Vic being the most vile and despicable of them all. The last hour of the audiobook was magnificent yet it was not enough for me. I have a feeling that the book may grow in my esteem as time goes on. I understand that the author wanted to portray the fracturing of a family after the death of their father.

All of Rachel Joyce's other books had redeemable characters and bittersweet moments. Ultimately the stories were hopeful. This book even with the ending did not feel hopeful. The characters still felt so damaged and broken. I still disliked all of them but for Goose.

Not a single likable character in this novel.

I’ve been trying to listen to this novel. Because I have loved everything else that Rachel Joyce has written. But this one I think I’m gonna return it without finishing it. There’s not a single likable character. No one that I care about. No one that I’m rooting for. It’s just not good.
I also think that the author should never have narrated her own book. Her tone was very monotone through a lot of of it, and there weren’t different voices for the different characters so sometimes you didn’t know who was supposed to be talking. I actually stopped reading the book about halfway through and returned it to get my credit back.