Happy Families Collection 10 Books Set - Allan Ahlberg

Product Information

The downside? Since there are only so many characters to choose from...I felt I could eliminate the 'obvious' suspects at about 60-70%. I had a very interesting ending in mind that I was hoping would somehow be accurate (and provide me with the crazy twisted ending I was looking for) but it didn't come to pass. Described as ‘refreshing and original, perfect for fans of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, The Rosie Project and Gavin & Stacey' Julie Ma has written a novel set in a place you never really read about in fiction, a Chinese take-away. Julie Ma has had various careers since qualifying from Aberyswyth University before she finally ‘took up the helm at the family takeaway.’ This was her inspiration for Happy Families. The desire to write had always been there and, aware that the stereotypical view of British-Chinese women she saw on TV, film and in books didn’t represent her life, she set about to write a story she recognised.’

The police have plenty of suspects, but few clues. This isn’t a new premise, but I loved how this story unraveled, including a few surprising twists and a surprise ending. I think this would make a terrific movie! I rarely DNF books, and I almost never do it when I get a review copy, but I completely understand why one would chose not to finish this novel, as it was too repetitive with all the he said she said parts that it became boring.

They gather together for the Easter dinner from hell, where Fred makes an announcement that has all the children leaving hurriedly, angry and upset. Even Irena, the housekeeper who had been the children’s nanny, leaves. Audrey, Fred’s sister, missed the dinner, but she has a complicated history with her brother, and was my favorite character. Her loathing of the Merton children was visceral. I have no idea how this book won any awards, it is the dullest, slowest, most plotless book I’ve read with thinly drawn, irritating characters. WHO KILLED THE MERTONS AND WHY? Was it one of the couple's unlikeable adult children? All of the adult children would have inherited millions from their parent's death. Or was it the housekeeper/nanny, a friend/colleague......or someone else? Mr Creep the Crook is a bad man, and all his family are bad too - even Growler, his dog. But when he escapes from jail and heads to the seaside, he finds out that being bad is not such a good idea after all. . .

Julie Ma has written a truly wonderful piece of fiction. There is a genuine humour running through this novel supported by a very natural style of writing. Authentic is the word that can best be used to describe this marvellous debut. It is a very warm and fulfilling story about the everyday dramas and secret pasts of an immigrant family living in Wales, who also happen to own a Chinese takeaway. What is there not to love about that?

Find sources: "Happy Families"books– news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR ( October 2015) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message) What a scandalous bunch of liars!! The Merton adult children have lost their parents to a gruesome murder and they cannot get their stories straight. They stand to inherit millions or could lose everything.

There were so many layers to this story, and so many characters all deftly woven together, but it never felt overly complicated or confusing to read which I am always grateful for with multigenerational stories. Some twists I saw coming and others were a total surprise so it hit a great balance, but the beauty of this novel is that even though there is a great deal of family drama, it never feels too heavy or dramatic - the author has managed to create a lightness and joy to this novel from the very beginning, so you can just enjoy the story for what it is. It was the little observations the family experience like racial stereotypes from a small number of customers - though they were more than happy to eat from that culture. The killer will not be the only cold-blooded character that you will encounter. Many of the suspects are unlikable, but it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story.This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. With this being said, there were other players involved, so don't narrow your focus too much. You never know who could be out to get jerks like this. Joan married TC Li but his relationship with Ah Goong is brittle. The two men haven’t communicated for years, for reasons never explained to Amy and her brother. It just became an accepted part of their lives. But now all is to be upended for Amy when Ah Goong collapses in the street.

The family has gathered for the annual Easter dinner, hosted by Fred and Sheila, and patriarch Fred has an announcement to make. The patriarch of the Merton family, Fred, seems to take great pleasure in making his three adult children, Catherine, Dan and Jenna, miserable. It's like he is actively trying to make their lives more difficult.I think this is the most profound and useful thing anyone has ever said on a "reading levels" thread!