The Chamberlain family used to be close.
Charlie and Daphne were happily married, and their children Laura, Scott and Nick were inseparable. But then, inevitably, the children grew up and their own messy lives got in the way.
Since Daphne died, Charlie can’t help but think about happier times for the Chamberlain family – before his children drifted apart. His wife was the family’s true north, and without her guidance, Charlie fears his kids have all lost their direction.
For his eightieth birthday, all Charlie wants is to bring his family together again. And by some miracle, they’ve all said yes.
So, for the first time in a long time, the Chamberlains are going on a family holiday.
It’s only ten days . . . how bad could it be?
Today’s the day I get to share with you my thoughts on Elizabeth Nobel’s newest novel The Family Holiday that’s due to be published by Penguin in 4 days, it’s available to pre-order here! The Family Holiday is one of those great additions to your TBR that you may have never thought you needed, it’s such a lovely book that should be read. Thanks to Ella for the tour invite and sending me out a physical copy of this read!
“Out of the crooked timber of humanity
no straight thing was ever made”
– Immanuel Kent
This quote is typed onto the first page of The Family Holiday and it really slots into the concept of the novel, and I absolutely agree. In reference to the novel, this quote relates to the concept of both family and especially grief being non-linear, how although the Chamberlain family, who you will meet within these pages are rooted from the same tree, they have separated on their own individual journeys – branching out so far that they’ve lost the true meaning of family and togetherness.
Once a family of five, the Chamberlain family had enjoyed the togetherness that being a family brought with it but after the matriarch Daphne dies, Charlie is left to watch as his children veer off in different direction to live their own lives. Daphne was the caregiver, the one that brought everyone together and now Charlie is left to wonder if he now has a place in his children’s lives where he can step into his late wife’s shoes. Then Charlie gets an idea, 10 days away for his upcoming eightieth birthday, in a rented house during summer with all his nearest and dearest. It’s only ten days, what could possibly go wrong?
We are introduced to each of the Chamberlain children throughout the chapters, there’s Laura the only daughter who has possibly the closest relationship with her dad but she’s been sugar-coating how well her life is going both because of the feeling of being ashamed and not wanting to be a burden. Then there’s Scott who has done pretty well for himself, but his family members have become strangers to him, I think out of trio of Chamberlain children he has to be my favourite, although he’s independent and completely headstrong he also shows a soft side that you can’t help but be drawn to. Then finally there’s Nick, who has found himself in his own painful bubble, trying to spin too many plates rather than reaching out for help. You get to know these characters, as well as Charlie, you feel part of their family, the drama and everything that’s bubbling under the surface.
The Family Holiday is a captivating novel about a fragmented family that has the potential to become reintroduced to one another. The characters will draw you in and you’ll find yourself enticed into a story about repair, family and the drama that comes with it – the perfect sitting in the garden with a cold drink read. Get engulfed by this domestic read that touches on subjects including grief, bereavement and family estrangement, be prepared to fall in love.
Thanks again to Penguin and Ella for having me on the blog tour! To keep up to date with the reviews on the tour, make sure to check out the hashtag #TheFamilyHoliday on Twitter!
Until next time,
Happy reading!
The Reading Closet 