Happy as Larry: A New York Story of Cults, Crushes and Quaaludes

by Kaethe Cherney

New York. 1970s. A collapsing family in a collapsing city. The Bronx is burning uptown while the beautiful people party downtown. After her father dies and her older siblings join the Sullivanian cult, Saskia becomes her mom’s mom. The grit and glamour of after-hours Manhattan is portrayed through the lens of a bereaved teen, capturing the hormones and hedonism which come with navigating the complexities of the adult world. Harrowing yet hopeful, this is a story about losing love and finding it again.

Genres: Nonfiction, Ebooks

278 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 27, 2018

About the author

"Kaethe Cherney’s moving story follows a spirited young girl through family breakdown, the madness of a cult and the temptations of New York when it was raw and wild. A bracing coming of age story and a perfect snapshot of the 1970’s." - Mary Harron, director of 'American Psycho'

"A heart-breaking novel about an unusual childhood." - Alexander Stille, author of 'The Sullivanians: Sex, Psychotherapy and the Wild Life of an American Commune'

"You won't be able to put it down!" - Giancarlo Esposito

"A compelling read set in 1970’s New York that paints a vivid, at times heartbreaking picture of a family in turmoil.” - Cosey Fanni Tutti, author of 'Art, Sex and Music’

Reviews

[Liv · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Happy as Larry is a self-published book by Kaethe Cherney who uses her own childhood and experiences of losing her father, her siblings joining a cult to develop a novel that takes greater artistic liberties and reshapes her childhood as a work of fiction. However, the core elements of family, grief, friendship and life running off the rails were ever present and powerful throughout. I was honestly a little sceptical of this book because it was self-published, even though I was really interested in the focus on grief and family. However, I was absolutely blown away and devoured this book in about two sittings. It brought me out of my reading funk and touched me so unexpectedly that I cried a couple of times reading it.

The narrative focuses on Saskia, a young and rather precocious 14 year-old who loses her father suddenly and then watches her family struggle to pull together following his death. The family live in New York in an upscale apartment as her dad ran his own gallery. Following his death, her mum falls from Mr. Wrong to Mr. Wrong to try and keep herself together and is unable to focus on her children. This results in Saskia's siblings pulling away from her and ending up in a Cult, the Sullivanians, which was around in New York in the 1980s. Her family begin struggling financially for money after her father's death and have to move out of their nice apartment and move out towards Haarlem and the shady parts of New York City. Saskia changes schools and soon finds herself immersed in a world of drugs, drink and wild parties. There are so many elements that this novel touches on, but underlying all these huge changes and problems in Saskia's life the undercurrent to all of this is the grief and how she has dealt with her father's death.

This novel touched me on a deep level as I could relate to elements of Saskia's grief. I could relate to elements of her general attitude as she grew up and how she wanted to be liked, she wanted boys to kiss her, she wanted to have friends. She wanted to go to parties and be the cool, skinny and sexy girl. Saskia's desire to be liked edged into desperation and I think the book showed how key events in our lives can be turning points for us and our behaviour.

It was clear that Saskia and Kaethe Cherney loved New York and the 80's nostaglia and love for the city came through strongly. Cherney didn't shy away from dragging in the bad bits of New York, the shady characters, the homeless, or the positives. I did really enjoy this dip into the world of New York in the 80s through the eyes of a teenager.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was a great coming-of-age piece that focused on the raw and emotional side of grief and how it can result in self-destructive actions, it can cause your life to spiral. It reminded me of the value of family, the promise and hope of the future and how it is never too late to change your life. Thank you to Kaethe Cherney for providing me a copy to review as I have been thoroughly touched and in awe of your book!

[itsmonalisea · Rating 5 out of 5]

First and foremost, I’d like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for being so kind and allowing me to receive a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, where do I even begin? This book broke my heart into pieces.

So first of all, I’d actually downloaded this book because of it’s title; Happy as Larry: A New York Story of Cults, Crushes and Quaaludes.
I myself love books about cults, whether it’s fiction or non-fiction, and this novel is based on a New York cult: the Sullivanians. I had previously never heard of that cult so I became curious!

But it’s not only about a cult, this book is about SO much more. It’s about heartbreak, surviving teenage years while grieving, the “nuclear family” dynamic and the consequences of it breaking.
On top of that it portrays New York in the seventies! Which I personally found very interesting.

Trigger warnings:
Also, important to note is that the novel is written in the third perspective as we follow the main protagonist around, Saskia. It also deals with triggering subjects such as: grief, sexual assault, drug use and miscarriage.

The story:
Saskia, at first glance, has it all: the powerful nuclear family, the lovely siblings, but most importantly; she has a very bright future ahead of her. But what happens when her family goes trough a very heartbreaking loss, and will they survive the challenges that are passing them like tornadoes, waiting to break anything and everything that’s in their way, after their family of five becomes a family of four.

Thoughts:
I loved it, I cried, and I will definitely recommend this well written masterpiece to anyone who wants to learn more about the “nuclear family”, the Sullivanians cult and New York in the seventies.

[itsmonalisea · Rating 5 out of 5]

First and foremost, I’d like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for being so kind and allowing me to receive a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, where do I even begin? This book broke my heart into million tiny pieces.

So first of all, I’d actually downloaded this book because of it’s title; Happy as Larry: A New York Story of Cults, Crushes and Quaaludes.
I myself love books about cults, whether it’s fiction or non-fiction, and this novel is based on a New York cult: the Sullivanians. I had previously never heard of that cult so I became curious!

But it’s not only about a cult, this book is about SO much more. It’s about heartbreak, surviving teenage years while grieving, the “nuclear family” dynamic and the consequences of it breaking.
On top of that it portrays New York in the seventies! Which I personally found very interesting.

Trigger warnings:
Also, important to note is that the novel is written in the third perspective as we follow the main protagonist around, Saskia. It also deals with triggering subjects such as: grief, sexual assault, drug use and miscarriage.

The story:
Saskia, at first glance, has it all: the powerful nuclear family, the lovely siblings, two parents that love her dearly, but most importantly; she has a very bright future ahead of her. But what happens when her family goes trough a very heartbreaking loss, and will they survive the challenges that are passing them like tornadoes, waiting to break anything and everything that’s in their way, after their family of five becomes a family of four?

Thoughts:
I loved it, I cried, and I will definitely recommend this well written masterpiece to anyone who wants to learn more about the “nuclear family”, the Sullivanians cult and New York in the seventies.
I’m rooting for you Saskia!

[Claudia Jungkunst · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has blown me away. Read it in 2 bursts. Last one last night, cried at the end. It is so beautifully written, such complex stories and it is so well realized and articulated. I’ve filled my copy with post its.....how grief has no boundaries....feeling the sorrow hovering, piñata like...time was different before , once a geyser, a wellspring from from which all good things flourished....but she is no longer a citizen of that self... It’s a story of so many things, grief, love, transformation, family, survival, as well as that good old gritty NYC with its cults , crushes , and quaaludes.

[Kelsie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't have many words for this book. I didn't know what I was walking into with reading it. It was very well written, a great coming of age story that deals a lot with grief. I don't do well with grief so I can definitely feel where the main character Saskia was coming from. I feel like the author touched on the subject very well and didn't make it too hard to bear. It felt very real to me and something I could relate with. I received this advanced copy for my own reivew.

[Milly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about the raw and emotional sides of grief and growing up. It was so beautifully written and I really struggled to put it down. I was completely absorbed in Saskia’s world and in seeing New York through her eyes. It was at times completely heartbreaking and at others it was very sweet and funny. I thoroughly recommend this book! ❤️

[Gina Malanga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written as fiction but taken from the authors true life experiences this book is a love letter to NYC (it all its glamour and grit) and to finding yourself no matter how challenging the journey is. Saskia’s whole life is blown up when her dad dies suddenly. Her mother loses her way and becomes less and less of a mother, her siblings join a cult in NYC and she begins a descent into drug use qnd self loathing. To tell you it has a happy ending would be kinda lying and cutting out the journey that makes any ending meaningful. Suffice it to say that this book will take you on an emotional journey, have you googling NyC in the 70’s and reminding yourself to be gentle with yourself and others in crisis.

[Lafilleseule · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a poignant, beautifully written coming of age tale about a New York City family that experiences the sudden loss of its patriarch. While the various journeys of his bereaved wife and children are all detailed, the narrative is seen through the eyes of Saskia ,the youngest member who is forced to navigate her grief alongside the challenges of adjusting to high school, new friends replacing old ones from a simpler time, an assortment of crushes, plus watching the remaining members of her family grow more distant from each other as they struggle to deal with their pain.
Set in '70's Manhattan, Saskia enjoys the glamour of Studio 54 with her makeshift family of friends, but also drowns her sorrows at Washington Square Park while yearning for the tony Gramercy Park residence of her innocent girlhood.
The novel is also about the rebirth of the protagonist's mother, now thrust into the unexpected role of sole provider for three children after losing the love of her life. As she is crushed by the weight of her burden, the tumultuous life in the home sinks both mother and daughter into further despair and self destructive behavior patterns.
The author's prose is equal parts gorgeous and witty and the cast of characters Saskia encounters will surely conjure up memories of bonds formed during late nights and early morning recovery sessions. I found myself constantly highlighting my favorite sentences and passages that capture the universal experience of being young and seeing the world through new eyes and the many pitfalls that come along the way. I highly suggest reading this while listening to a marvelous '70s playlist of your own to really walk in Saskia's wedged shoes as she learns how to survive in her ever changing world.

[Mark Fiddes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy as Larry keeps you gripped from start to finish with a heart-rending coming of age story. Following the unexpected death of her father, teenage Saskia tries to stop the family wheeling apart through the temptations of sex, cults and drugs. The real achievement of this book is not just the compelling narrative but the finely drawn characterization. Everyone is as flawed as they are virtuous - and Saskia is no exception. The dirty, chaotic and charming New York of the mid 70's emerges almost as a character in its own right. A true life-affirming read and a testament to the survival skills of the young. (less)

[Lydia Hodges · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so enjoyable I read it on Kindle and then bought it in hard copy to share around my book club.

Some of the things that happen to Saskia (and more so her family) as she struggles to come to terms with the death of her father and subsequent upheaval of everything she knows, would seem unbelievable - if they weren't true. It is even more compelling for that fact. And more real - a more fictional narrative might have seen Saskia giving up on her family in a courageous flourish at the times they were most undeserving of her love. But in real life, when you're a tween with no means, nowhere to go and a deep-rooted love for your family it's far more likely that you'll turn a blind eye, keep trying, keep hoping, go off the rails a bit.

It had the potential to be pretty dark, and certainly goes there at times, but there are also hilarious moments, and quiet ones too. To read about something you have never experienced (cults, in this case) can sometimes be alienating for the reader and certainly the NY cultural references were lost on me, but this was not the case here, written as it is, in a very human way. It was instead brought to life, and I could sense and feel the culture without ever having experienced it for myself.

The real beauty of the writing though lies in the fact that even when the characters were behaving in maddening ways, I still cared about them and was rooting for them to find their happiness. Would highly recommend.

[Cynthia Kumanchik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy As Larry is a tragic, heartbreaking novel told through the eyes of a teenage girl who has just lost her father. Saskia’s world falls apart when her siblings move out and join a cult, her mother becomes involved with other men, and she uses drugs to forget her pain. A family drama about relationships, growing pains, and redemption.

Saskia bears the brunt of her father’s death and tries desperately to keep the family together. She is the only one who acts like an adult as her mother runs off with other men, her grandmother is non-existent, and her siblings abandon her. The reader roots for Saskia as she tries to escape her messy life, making it right again.

I loved this story set in the 70s, the voice of Saskia as she discovers herself. I thank NetGalley for allowing me to read and review it.

[Amy C · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid 4.5 stars - Happy as Larry is an incredibly interesting story! Seeing family dynamics and how those shift when a family unit changes, either by addition or subtraction, was fascinating (and heartbreaking for the main character, Saskia). It was really interesting to see NYC in the 70s/80s as well. Some pieces of it still resonated a lot with me, and are special to read while living in the city. The writing is direct as it’s from a child’s point of view, but shows complex difficult family dynamics that are tough to read in certain parts. Overall really interesting - and it’s being made into a podcast and optioned for TV!

[Susan Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

“We can’t choose our families, but we can choose not to be like them.”

I give this book 5 lines of cocaine that are actually angel dust!

[Kristiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cherney’s novel is a beautifully written account of Saskia Soyer’s downward spiral after her father’s death. The writing is fluid and buoyant; taking you from one part of Saskia’s story to the next. It isn’t an easy ride, however, as moments like Saskia’s encounters with Rick, substance abuse and Grey, the therapist who holds great influence over her siblings, prove to be unsettling, uncomfortable or downright frightening.

Saskia’s journey is brimming with darkness, light, hormones and hedonism but not one moment is unbelievable. Yes, some parts are crazy but others are incredibly normal; such as the family having no choice but to downsize when money gets tight. I think any adult can see a part of themselves in Saskia’s story because it isn’t just a coming-of-age novel, it’s also an exploration of grief.

Cherney reveals how grief appears in many ways, changes you in many ways and does not just apply to those who are dead. Saskia and her family grieve; they grieve for their late father, who they once were and what they once were.

Thus, whether you know New York or not, the fact Saskia goes looking for herself not realising she was ‘it’ all along is something we can all undoubtedly relate to, as well as raise a glass to the mess of our teenage years.

[Jessica Dickenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I simply adored this book!

While I don't have personal experience with cults, quaaludes, or even a parental cycle of bad boyfriends, there was so much that resonated with my own personal loss and the feelings that emerge when you have a parent with codependent tendencies. The feelings of displacement, loss, insufficiency, and parentification absolutely were on point.

The title is a clever tongue-in-cheek British/Australian expression meaning "extremely happy". When Saskia's father Larry dies unexpectedly, there is anything but extreme happiness in the Soyer household. Her mother Meredith, and her siblings Toby and Naomi all struggle with their loss in complex and unhealthy ways, so much so, that you can hardly express where blame for one person begins and blame for another ends.

While I understand that this book is a memoir with considerable liberties, the emotions of this book are very real. I would strongly recommend for all readers!

[Audrey Wijnberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great personal story about a sister whose two siblings join the Sullivanian Cult, the lonely journey alone, left to take care of her grieving mother. This cult broke up so many families, great read.

[Melanie Failes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It’s deep, emotive and engaging. Have knocked a star off as I found the ending rushed and the main character annoying. Would definitely recommend reading .

[Moshe Schulman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy as Larry is an unflinching, heartfelt, and raw bildungsroman set in mid-1970’s New York City. It is a crushing portrait of a family’s unraveling told in the voice of a young woman grappling with her father’s death, an alcoholic and suicidal mother, and her two older siblings, Toby and Naomi, who join The Sullivanians, a psychotherapy cult that thrived in New York’s Upper West Side until it disbanded in the 1980’s. The book was prompted by the author’s siblings involvement with the Sullivanians. Balanced between pathos and levity, there is genuine sorrow in the account of a family whose conventionalized roles are completely ill-equipped to deal with a shattering event. Cherney’s heartfelt voice holds appeal to both a young adult millennial reader confronting the complexities of growing up and Baby Boomers, nostalgic for the good old bad days in bygone New York.

[Constance De · Rating 5 out of 5]

Think you know NYC? Think again. Long before The Hudson Yards, The Highline and Google, NYC was dark, dirty and well, more fun! That's the NY Cherney has captured in the epically entertaining (and occasionally heart-breaking) Happy As Larry. Follow Saskia and her partners in crime as they make their way through a city that no longer exists, searching for love, friendship and meaning.

For a little slice of life in the old big apple, read Happy As Larry!

[Tim Aurthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

If your life is going to be a living hell, what better place to be than in New York City of the 1970s? Saskia Soyer's life is indeed hell: her father has suddenly died, her mother shacks up with a younger man who deserves his own chapter in "Smart Women, Foolish Choices," and her older siblings join an encounter group cult that you'd never want to encounter. And yet Saskia manages to survive. Her journey, full of mistakes and wrong turns, gives a Picaresque flavor to this novel, which is beautifully enhanced by a vivid sense of place and time.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Well worth a read for anyone who is struggling through difficult moments in life.

[Jocelyn Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intimate portrait of a New York that no longer exists, described through the experiences of a young girl. Tragic, funny and ultimately full of hope, I would highly recommend it!

[Markie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Happy as Larry: A New York Story of Cults, Crushes, and Quaaludes" by Kaethe Cherney is a raw and gripping coming-of-age novel set in the gritty glamour of 1970s New York City. The story follows Saskia, a young girl who is forced to grow up quickly after her father's sudden death. Her family moves from the upscale Gramercy Park to the seedy Upper West Side of Manhattan, where her mother descends into nihilism and embarks on a promiscuous journey.

Saskia's older siblings abandon her to join the Sullivanians, a predatory psychosexual cult, leaving her to care for her increasingly troubled mother. Ex-communicated by her siblings, Saskia finds solace in getting high at school and navigates her way through grief, infatuation, and the desperate longing for love.

The novel serves as a nostalgic love letter to a bygone era of Manhattan, capturing the edginess and allure of 1970s New York City. The author vividly portrays the city's atmosphere, which becomes a character in itself, adding depth and authenticity to the narrative. Through Saskia's eyes, readers witness the complexities of her surroundings, the gritty streets contrasting with the glimmers of possibility.

Cherney delves into difficult themes with unflinching honesty. Saskia's journey is marked by heartbreak, loss, and the search for love amidst chaos. The author's portrayal of grief and the impact it has on Saskia's life is poignant and relatable, allowing readers to empathize with her struggles.

The characters in "Happy as Larry" are well-developed and multi-dimensional. Saskia is a compelling protagonist, grappling with the weight of her circumstances while still longing for connection and understanding. Her relationships with other characters, particularly her troubled mother, are complex and nuanced, highlighting the effects of trauma and familial dynamics.

The narrative style of the novel is engaging and immersive, capturing the essence of Saskia's voice and experiences. Cherney's prose is evocative, painting a vivid picture of the era and allowing readers to become fully immersed in Saskia's journey of self-discovery.

Overall, "Happy as Larry" is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that explores the complexities of adolescence, family, and personal growth. Kaethe Cherney's storytelling skillfully intertwines the personal and the universal, creating a compelling narrative that will resonate with readers. This book is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of self-discovery in the face of adversity.

[Keely · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Happy as Larry: an informal idiom used in Australia, New Zealand, and Britain to describe someone who is extremely happy or carefree.

HAPPY AS LARRY was a love letter to New York City (the glamorous and gritty) and a coming of age story about grief, loss and healing set against cults, drugs and the temptations of a 70’s Manhattan.

I was drawn to this story immediately knowing it was inspired by the author’s own childhood and I was intrigued to learn more about the cult her siblings joined and to see the city through the lens of Saskia. I definitely want to do more research on the Sullivanians, an Upper West Side cult that hid in plain sight. I enjoyed how Cherney uses the experience of losing her father during a formative period, being the sibling left behind to raise herself after her brother and sister join the cult and growing up in Manhattan to reshape her childhood through fiction. This was hard to read at times and you’ll ache for Saskia and just wish someone could tuck her in at night, be there for her and lead her down the right path. The author’s passion for the city shines through this story, both the good and the bad bits. The double entendre for the title, “Happy as Larry,” was creative and fitting. I have no doubt that this was a difficult but cathartic experience to write about and release into the world.

Read for:
~ coming of age story in 70’s Manhattan
~ fans of cults hiding in plain sight
~ autobiographical fiction
~ covers topics relating to grief, loss and healing

Thanks @ Kaethe Cherney for sending me a book copy and allowing me the opportunity to read this impactful story in exchange for my honest review and post.

[Christine Calvo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy of Larry is a coming of age story set in a grittier NYC during the 1970s. It’s told from the tender perspective of Saskia, who loses her beloved father at the ripe age of 14. After his passing, the family of 5 quickly unravels, with her siblings joining a cult on the UWS and her mother floundering from lover to lover and job to job. It’s a story about displacement, finding a sense of home when your associations with “home” have been pulled out from beneath you, and grappling with the realization that the only way to make yourself whole is through taking care of yourself. It’s a quick enjoyable read, and written from an authentic perspective with a frankness that’s honest without being disparaging. I’m giving this a 5 because of the way Cherney brings the story full circle. Saskia has hurt, she has experienced more unexpected loss in two years than she should have for her age. She has been a people pleaser, has engaged in self destruction in attempts to cope, but the novel doesn’t end tragically. While Saskia hasn’t become self-assured or found her life’s purpose by the end of these 270-odd pages, she has become learned on life. Cherney leaves us with hope that as dark as things may get for Saskia, she develops the strength to stop personifying someone else, ruminating in the past, and leaves the reader with faith that Saskia will begin to love herself as she puts one foot in front of the other and moves on.

[Molly Niemi · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Happy as Larry” explores loss, grief, coping, desires to fit in, friendships, and mental health struggles through the lens of Saskia, our protagonist. She is a young teenager navigating high school and growing up following the loss of her father, and the subsequent lack of parenting from her mother. The in-over-your-head situation is one that many can resonate with when looking back on teenage years, and Saskia’s character is believable and spot on. Cherney paints a vivid picture of the gritty New York City that I feel nostalgic for though I never knew it, and this story will likely connect with readers that hold a place in their heart for the city. Knowing that this story was inspired by the author’s own life, it cuts deeper to the core when Saskia and her family struggle, but Saskia’s humor and optimism keep the story moving along. While I thoroughly enjoyed this read (made me laugh, made me cry) my only gripe was that I thought it was going to be more cult-focused. If you are looking for a cult story, I would say pass on this one for now. However, if you are looking for a raw, nostalgic, coming-of-age story, this one’s for you. The writing jumps off the pages and brings the characters and city to life, and I’m looking forward to what the author will publish in the future!

Thank you to Kaethe Cherney for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy as Larry is a fictional account of Saskia's downward spiral following the death of her father and her siblings leaving to join a psychosexual cult, the Sullvanians. Whilst this is a work of fiction, the events are based on Kaethe's own childhood, reshaping them to make this incredibly powerful story.

With a huge focus on grief, there are some heartbreaking moments within the book, and anyone that's lost a loved one will be able to relate to the mixture of emotions and the different ways to deal with it. Saskia begins trying to piece the family back together, mothering her own mum whilst she drifts from man to man.

Set in New York, the protagonist starts out in a luxurious apartment in Gramercy Park but after struggling for money, the family end up moving to a shadier part of Harlem. You can tell how much Saskia/Kaethe love NYC, and reading about the city in the 70/80s from a teenagers perspective was really interesting. While Saskia got heavily involved with drinking, drugs and partying, the childlike nature of hers and the desire to fit in shone through.

Thank you so much to Kaethe Cherney for very kindly gifting me a copy of the book after seeing how much I loved Just Kids. If you enjoyed Patti Smith's 'Just Kids', you should definitely pick this up too for a dose of 1970s NYC.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, told in the tender voice of the teenaged Saskia, whose family splinters apart after the early and unexpected death of her father. I read it in only a few sittings because it was so compulsively readable. Saskia's voice is very real, and the way she describes the insecurities of the teenage years is spot on, including her magical thinking as she blames herself for her father's early death.

Saskia has way too much to handle as she grapples with her mother Meredith's depression and ill-chosen boyfriends. She also has to deal with older siblings Toby and Naomi's induction into the bizarre Sullivanians cult. And at the same time there is the lure of pot, quaaludes, cocaine and partying with her new best friends from the alternative high school.

I loved the vicarious thrill of experiencing - along with Saskia - the glorious but rough NYC of the 1970s, told with precise and evocative period details.

Saskia's family as she knew it was gone forever with her father's passing but I couldn't stop rooting for her as she eventually begins to find her way forward amid the heartbreak of unreciprocated crushes, missing her brother and sister, bolstering her fragile mother, and the challenges of being a teenager set adrift in 1970s New York.

Highly recommend!

[Charlotte Krasniqi · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review of ‘Happy As Larry’ by Kaethe Cherney
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This book was kindly gifted to me back in August and I must be honest, when I was first approached to read and possibly review this I was slightly reluctant. I always worry that someone will gift me their book and then I won’t like it and well...... that is just awkward isn’t it? However after thinking about it for a little while and reading the description of the book something told me to do it and I am SO pleased I did!
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I absolutely loved this book and I’m not sure I will be able to put into words why. When Saskia’s father died it was like her whole world came crumbling down. She ends up not just losing her father but the life she knew! Her mother, brother and sister all slowly fell away from her and she was left to make her own way. My heart broke for Saskia in every chapter. I absolutely adored Saskia’s character. She made me laugh, made me proud and made me will her to make good decisions the whole way through the book.
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Happy as Larry is filled with ups and downs, amazing friendships and relationships in turmoil and I bloody loved every minute of it!
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This is a new favourite of mine and I will be recommending this to many people for an extremely long time!

[Harriet Furze · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the sudden loss of her father, Saskia and her family struggle to come to terms with the shock of what has happened. Their loss creates a hole within their family dynamic that cannot easily be filled and as a result, they drift into new versions of themselves that threatens to rip apart everything they thought they knew about themselves.

Set in New York City in the 70s, the novel explores the difficulty of coming to terms with loss, grieving and the impact this has on a family. As Saskia tries to piece them back together, she also realises she needs to adapt to keep herself together as much as her family. Exploring ideas from her own family experiences, Cherney touches on some very difficult situations that poor Saskia has to pull through. She explores the ideas of cults and brainwashing, living in NYC as a young child, parental dependence (or lack of) and the need to grow up, fast. Knowing the book was based on Cherney’s experiences, made the lows feel so much more real and, at times, heartbreaking.