|
|
Title:
|
Grand |
|
Authors:
|
McCarthy, Noelle |
|
Genre:
|
Non Fiction: New Zealand |
|
Pages:
|
272 |
|
Year:
|
2022 |
|
Language:
|
English |
|
Description:
|
When journalist Noelle McCarthy arrived in Auckland at the beginning of the new millennium, it was to be a new start - away from her difficult childhood in Ireland, and away from her mother Carol, a mercurial alcoholic. But it is never that easy, and thousands of kilometres away, she follows in her mother's footsteps, raising her glass to the world.
Years later, as Carol's life draws to a close, Noelle returns to Ireland and to a relationship that demands untangling, understanding and forgiveness.
Written with wit and skill, and with much introspection and honesty, this is the story of a mother and daughter, a memoir that reminds us of the love and pain within families and what we do to survive them.
|
|
Categories:
|
Non-fiction NZ, Non-fiction, Award Winner, Relationships, Blind Low Vision Library, 2024 Titles, Ockham Winner |
|
|
By: TAUR 049
|
2026-03-12 11:35:50 |
|
|
A raw and riveting read. Initially a challenge to read as narration so disjointed. However, Noelle's ability to write amazing descriptive passages kept us glued and set us thinking hard about what is reality for many families. |
|
|
By: MOTUE 010
|
2026-03-01 11:53:41 |
|
|
|
Very evocative read, Noelle's voice came through. Sad, realistic and thought provoking. |
|
|
By: KATIK 001
|
2026-01-10 15:17:44 |
|
|
|
Irish writers have got something special! An interesting memoir of a strong woman. As in life, the subject grew in uneven levels, a bit stop and go at times, but then, this is how we develop and remember. Noelle was hard to keep up with in all that carry on. The strong decision to attend meetings meant a settling of her demons, yet her explosive attitude to her mother rarely calmed until the very end. The two were cast in the same mould. Having Eve helped give a responsibility that was her saviour. Well- written, loved the immediacy of the present tense. |
|
|
By: AUCK 100
|
2025-09-29 06:53:12 |
|
|
Mixed views. Agreed that the first part of the book jumped around a lot. Brave admission of her own alcoholism.One member said the "book was better than expected". |
|
|
By: PIOPIO 001
|
2025-07-26 16:43:26 |
|
|
|
Not everyone enjoyed 'Grand', partly because it appeared to jump around a little. We had one of the best discussions of the year - chaotic upbringing, lack of nurturing, Irish Catholicism, alcoholism and so much more. Would recommend reading the book in a few sittings rather than over a period of time. |
|
|
By: DUNED 005
|
2025-06-24 10:23:50 |
|
|
|
Most of our group enjoyed this a lot. They liked the writing style and the structure. One member particularly liked the natural way the N.Z. aspects were conveyed, not as anything special, just matter of fact, a normal kind of context. |
|
|
By: CHCH 585
|
2025-02-17 12:54:46 |
|
|
Enjoyed by all. |
|
|
By: NELS 089
|
2024-04-29 09:38:41 |
|
|
Had an interesting discussion. Group felt the book lacked structure, while empathising with the author and her story. We all agreed that she's a talented writer. |
|
|
By: LOWER 024
|
2024-01-22 13:25:07 |
|
|
|
Not inspiring, but relatable. Some loved it and gave it a 5, while others found it depressing, and that it jumped around a lot. We decided that it may depend on what was happening in your life at the time. |
|
|
By: WHANG 008
|
2023-11-01 12:37:00 |
|
|
|
A disturbing and graphic account of a long struggle to break free from a damaging mother-daughter relationship. |
|
|
By: AUCK 224
|
2023-10-18 14:40:20 |
|
|
|
Lots of discussion - about alcoholism , and how different a person/mother can be for her various children. Not a book to "enjoy". |
|
|
By: CHCH 518
|
2023-09-18 12:03:51 |
|
|
|
A good discussion on mother/daughter relationships and the differing memories within families. Not always an easy read as the book tended to switch backwards and forwards between different years without warning. Often quite humorous. |
|
|
By: AUCK 076
|
2023-06-19 12:12:46 |
|
|
|
A raw compelling read. |
|
|
By: WANAK 021
|
2023-04-13 14:23:52 |
|
|
|
Mixed reviews from our group. Some found it frustrating and erratic and quite self indulgent. We did have a good discussion however. Some thought that Noelle was brave to share her closest secrets. |
|
| |
