Claire Powell (4)

This is an entertaining and moving first novel, at times funny, but also at times sad. It follows the Maguire family over a year: Gerry and Linda who have been married for over 40 years; Their daughter Nicole, in her mid-30s and who is successful at work; and their son Jamie, in his early 30s, a teacher who is about to get married to his partner of 10 years. The title is apt, as many of the scenes take place at meals or at drinking get togethers. Powell captures the growing doubts that they show more all face during the year as they each come to realise that their lives have not matched up to their own expectations and that their perceptions of each other are not matched by reality. The supporting characters also play an important role in the family’s dilemmas and this makes for a sensitive and highly readable novel. show less