The Irish Goodbye

A Novel

De: Heather Aimee O'Neill

Narrado por: Kristen Sieh

A Today Show #ReadwithJenna Book Club Pick

In this debut, for fans of J. Courtney Sullivan and Mary Beth Keane, three adult sisters grapple with a shared tragedy over a Thanksgiving weekend as they try to heal strained family bonds through the passage of time.

It’s been years since the three Ryan sisters were all together at their beloved family home on the eastern shore of Long Island. Two decades ago, their lives were upended by an accident on their brother Topher’s boat: A friend’s brother was killed, the resulting lawsuit nearly bankrupted their parents, and Topher spiraled into depression, eventually taking his life. Now the Ryan women are back for Thanksgiving, eager to reconnect, but each carrying a heavy secret. The eldest, Cait, still holding guilt for the role no one knows she played in the boat accident, rekindles a flame with her high school crush: Topher’s best friend and the brother of the boy who died. Middle sister, Alice, has been thrown a curveball that threatens the career she’s restarting and faces a difficult decision that may doom her marriage. And the youngest, Maggie, is finally taking the risk of bringing the woman she loves home to meet her devoutly Catholic mother. Infusing everything is the grief for Topher that none of the Ryans have figured out how to carry together.

When Cait invites a guest from their shared past to Thanksgiving dinner, old tensions boil over and new truths surface, nearly overpowering the flickering light of their family bond. Far more than a family holiday will be ruined unless the sisters can find a way to forgive themselves—and one another.

A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt & Company

Pretty good

This book was pretty good… Not great. The characters were all pretty narcissistic, which got annoying.

Meet the Ryan’s

Run don’t walk and get this book. The writing is spectacular. A true family drama of a family coming together for Thanksgiving with all their own drama and a shadow of grief that has touched them all.

Did not relate to the characters

The author's writing form and style are excellent. However, I did not like any of the sisters. I could not relate to their current problems. The two sisters who are mothers were not all that great at mothering. The children characters were well-written. They added to the story in a unique way. But I will not be reading this book again. At the end of the narrative, I did not feel hopeful or that the family was coming together. They were all still really broken. I finished the story and thought, "What was the point?"

Family secrets and Forgiveness

This story will resonate with anyone who loves and fears reuniting with family. There are complex storylines that deal with love, loss, and the lasting bond of family.

Great book

I love the realness of this book! And I love how it address the family dramatics and how to stay close in bad and good times

Mundane

While suicide is an important mental health problem to address, the story falls flat. I’m tired of the token gay in every book I pick up.

However- the narrator did an excellent job differentiating each character.

Truly outstanding!

I read the book, then listen to the audiobook, and know I will read the book again!

Beautiful story

The family interactions and the story of how a family moves beyond their grief is wonderful.

A Real Family

I liked that this family felt real. I actually disliked one character until almost the end. Then I didn’t like her, but felt she realized some of her shortcomings.

10 Star Read

Family. Nostalgia. Tragedy. Love. I hope this becomes a Holiday Movie!!! Props to the narration too!