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M for Mammy
Meet the Augustts: a loving, Irish family who, like all families, are a bit complicated. But they are bound together by their love for each other and the way their words shape their world.
Things become even more complicated when the mother has a stroke, and the force of nature who is Granny Mae-Anne comes to try and take charge to keep the family together.
She has a job on. There's the son Jacob with all his words trapped in his head by The Autism, the father Mickey struggling to express himself at all, and Jenny, the daughter, quietly writing it all down to try and make sense of it.
M for Mammy is about language and home and the power of a family to heal itself. It is about telling stories, reading stories, and writing them down. It is a story of a young boy without words, of a mother who has lost her words and a father full of stories he has to learn to tell. And then there's the granny who hammers and shapes words on the anvil of love, and a daughter who tries to speak for them all.
Things become even more complicated when the mother has a stroke, and the force of nature who is Granny Mae-Anne comes to try and take charge to keep the family together.
She has a job on. There's the son Jacob with all his words trapped in his head by The Autism, the father Mickey struggling to express himself at all, and Jenny, the daughter, quietly writing it all down to try and make sense of it.
M for Mammy is about language and home and the power of a family to heal itself. It is about telling stories, reading stories, and writing them down. It is a story of a young boy without words, of a mother who has lost her words and a father full of stories he has to learn to tell. And then there's the granny who hammers and shapes words on the anvil of love, and a daughter who tries to speak for them all.
- GenresUnfinishedFiction
432 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 21, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
January 11, 2019
>i>I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Lively, strong narrative and interesting exploration into the nature of communication in families.
I was thrilled to be sent a copy of this book by the lovely Two Roads Publishers, and thought that it sounded like a good read; certainly something different to my usuals! For the most part, I enjoyed it very much; mainly due to the FABULOUS character of Granny, who quite literally carries the book into another dimension.
The plot of the book is a relatively straightforward (and sad) one. Jenny and Jacob are brother and sister. Their mother has a stroke, and all of a sudden they're left with a father that doesn't really know how to take care of them. Enter Granny - a force of nature who looks after them and bears a lot of the burden; both mentally and physically.
The story is sub-divided between three narratives; the clear, eloquent voice of young Jenny, who finds solace in relating her life to the books she's reading, then a third person narrative of Jacob, who has autism. We also have the stilted, often quite affecting voice of the mother.
There were several elements that stood out for me in this book, but firstly, I've got big love for the character of Granny. I love a character that erupts from the page, and she certainly did. There were moments when she made me laugh out loud (like telling the lady in the shop to 'f*** off') and other moments that were genuinely moving.
Jenny was also an endearing character, especially when she got in trouble at school. You felt her confusion and sadness in every page. I had a few minor issues with Jacob though. Obviously I was delighted to see an autistic character represented, but I felt he was slightly two-dimensional. As an author, it is hard to 'get in the head' of a character who struggles to communicate, but I would have loved to see slightly more from him. Autism isn't very well understood in our society, and books are a great way to help people 'get it' a bit more.
I liked the three-way narrative structure, I felt this kept the pace moving along nicely. One small comment though; at times it did feel a bit rambling. I'd have loved it to be a little bit tighter. However, I didn't ever feel the compulsion to put the book down and give up, which is very much the main thing.
For a debut book, this is a cracking good read and note to the author - more characters like the formidable, feisty Granny please! LOVED HER.
Lively, strong narrative and interesting exploration into the nature of communication in families.
I was thrilled to be sent a copy of this book by the lovely Two Roads Publishers, and thought that it sounded like a good read; certainly something different to my usuals! For the most part, I enjoyed it very much; mainly due to the FABULOUS character of Granny, who quite literally carries the book into another dimension.
The plot of the book is a relatively straightforward (and sad) one. Jenny and Jacob are brother and sister. Their mother has a stroke, and all of a sudden they're left with a father that doesn't really know how to take care of them. Enter Granny - a force of nature who looks after them and bears a lot of the burden; both mentally and physically.
The story is sub-divided between three narratives; the clear, eloquent voice of young Jenny, who finds solace in relating her life to the books she's reading, then a third person narrative of Jacob, who has autism. We also have the stilted, often quite affecting voice of the mother.
There were several elements that stood out for me in this book, but firstly, I've got big love for the character of Granny. I love a character that erupts from the page, and she certainly did. There were moments when she made me laugh out loud (like telling the lady in the shop to 'f*** off') and other moments that were genuinely moving.
Jenny was also an endearing character, especially when she got in trouble at school. You felt her confusion and sadness in every page. I had a few minor issues with Jacob though. Obviously I was delighted to see an autistic character represented, but I felt he was slightly two-dimensional. As an author, it is hard to 'get in the head' of a character who struggles to communicate, but I would have loved to see slightly more from him. Autism isn't very well understood in our society, and books are a great way to help people 'get it' a bit more.
I liked the three-way narrative structure, I felt this kept the pace moving along nicely. One small comment though; at times it did feel a bit rambling. I'd have loved it to be a little bit tighter. However, I didn't ever feel the compulsion to put the book down and give up, which is very much the main thing.
For a debut book, this is a cracking good read and note to the author - more characters like the formidable, feisty Granny please! LOVED HER.
March 29, 2021
M for Mammy was a book with potential, yet it was one I never quite connected with. I’m sure this will work for many, but the lack of real plot and the writing style meant my investment in the story was never what it could have been.
I’ll confess, there were some amusing moments that made me smile. The book also looked at some heavy topics and handled certain aspects well. For me, however, these details were lost in the way the story was told. Things dragged on and on, I found myself getting lost in the made-up details, and there were aspects that were never explored as well as they could have been. When aspects of the story held my attention, I was happy to read. Those details, unfortunately, were few and far between.
All in all, I’m sure many will love this one. Sadly, however, it was not for me.
I’ll confess, there were some amusing moments that made me smile. The book also looked at some heavy topics and handled certain aspects well. For me, however, these details were lost in the way the story was told. Things dragged on and on, I found myself getting lost in the made-up details, and there were aspects that were never explored as well as they could have been. When aspects of the story held my attention, I was happy to read. Those details, unfortunately, were few and far between.
All in all, I’m sure many will love this one. Sadly, however, it was not for me.
March 20, 2019
I received a copy of this book from the publishers/author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Jenny and Jacob know they can rely on their mammy for everything. She's always there to look after them and bake them a cake on their birthdays, and mammy is one of the only people to can really communicate with Jacob, who has autism and is non-verbal. But when mammy suffers a stroke, daddy and granny have to step in and things become different for a while.
This book has a lot of good intentions, and the veins of a really good story with compelling characters and nice representation of disability - both mental and physical. I, at first, really liked seeing how the author wrote chapters through the eyes of Jacob, who sees the world completely differently to everyone else. and Annette when she was sick and unable to understand or communicate her thoughts well. Jenny is also a brilliant character with a vivid imagination and it was both heartwarming and heartbreaking watching her try to understand and cope with her changing world.
The book fell apart for me about 30-40% through. While the story is mostly focused on the family life, I feel it lacked a real plot other than wondering if mammy would ever fully return to health and return home, and there were some odd moments thrown in about Jenny fabricating friendships and people that was never fully explored or explained. I felt that, at times, Jacob and Annette's chapters were too long for the way they were written. While it's fantastic to have the type of representation in a book, there's only so many pages a reader can read of nonsensical sentences.
Granny was one of the strongest characters in the book, though I had a sweet spot for the dad as well. She was extremely strong, and was a typical Irish granny the way she was able to swoop in and take charge of everything like she'd been there all along. There were some nice moments in this book that I smiled and laughed but by halfway through I did become frustrated by the storytelling and I'd had enough. There were times about 80% through it felt like the story had wrapped up and I couldn't figure out why there was still so much left so I had an unenjoyable experience struggling to finish it.
There are also some small problematic things said in conversations in the books such as casual references to "tinkers" (the Irish traveling community) which could have been left out in my opinion.
Jenny and Jacob know they can rely on their mammy for everything. She's always there to look after them and bake them a cake on their birthdays, and mammy is one of the only people to can really communicate with Jacob, who has autism and is non-verbal. But when mammy suffers a stroke, daddy and granny have to step in and things become different for a while.
This book has a lot of good intentions, and the veins of a really good story with compelling characters and nice representation of disability - both mental and physical. I, at first, really liked seeing how the author wrote chapters through the eyes of Jacob, who sees the world completely differently to everyone else. and Annette when she was sick and unable to understand or communicate her thoughts well. Jenny is also a brilliant character with a vivid imagination and it was both heartwarming and heartbreaking watching her try to understand and cope with her changing world.
The book fell apart for me about 30-40% through. While the story is mostly focused on the family life, I feel it lacked a real plot other than wondering if mammy would ever fully return to health and return home, and there were some odd moments thrown in about Jenny fabricating friendships and people that was never fully explored or explained. I felt that, at times, Jacob and Annette's chapters were too long for the way they were written. While it's fantastic to have the type of representation in a book, there's only so many pages a reader can read of nonsensical sentences.
Granny was one of the strongest characters in the book, though I had a sweet spot for the dad as well. She was extremely strong, and was a typical Irish granny the way she was able to swoop in and take charge of everything like she'd been there all along. There were some nice moments in this book that I smiled and laughed but by halfway through I did become frustrated by the storytelling and I'd had enough. There were times about 80% through it felt like the story had wrapped up and I couldn't figure out why there was still so much left so I had an unenjoyable experience struggling to finish it.
There are also some small problematic things said in conversations in the books such as casual references to "tinkers" (the Irish traveling community) which could have been left out in my opinion.
November 18, 2018
This is a story of an Irish family told through the eyes of each individual character. The first thing that really jumped out at me was how well written the Irish accents & dialogue were in this book. I loved the character of Granny.
This is an incredibly sad book particularly about half way through. There are some absolute gems of comedy too though.
What prevented me giving this a higher rating was the actual execution of the story. I felt the idea for the book was brilliant but it just took far too long to actually get to the main thread. My mind wandered a lot reading this book. The last 50 pages or so, were also hard to keep interest in too. I felt more than ready for the story to finish but actually don’t feel like it really did.
This is an incredibly sad book particularly about half way through. There are some absolute gems of comedy too though.
What prevented me giving this a higher rating was the actual execution of the story. I felt the idea for the book was brilliant but it just took far too long to actually get to the main thread. My mind wandered a lot reading this book. The last 50 pages or so, were also hard to keep interest in too. I felt more than ready for the story to finish but actually don’t feel like it really did.
March 16, 2019
Meet the August’s – a love Irish family, who like so many other families, are a little bit complicated. Bound together by love they have their own quirky ways of managing each others emotions, behaviours and traits until misfortune strikes and they have to figure life out all over again. Queue Granny Mae-Anne – the BEST character I’ve read so far this year (and I’ve read over 25 books already some of which are amazing).
Sometimes, a book makes me want to find out more about the author. Especially a book that touches on Autism – because I want to know how the author got to understand it at such a level that they could then write something so gripping about it. This book is one of those. I spent time reading about Eleanor O’Reilly as I pieced together this review – even before I had finished reading the book. That rarely happens – but there were so many moments in this book that I wanted to capture that I had to begin in advance to do my review justice.
“Sr Mary Assumpta up in the office is the boss nun. Da says she’s like 159 years old in Nun Years. Nun Years are different from human years. Da says nuns live longer than people do. It’s like when they’re born they look like they are about thirty but then everything slows down, so they never really look older than sixty-eight no matter what age they are. Every Nun Year is equal to about twelve human years or something like that. Da says there’s even a Nun Year Converter online to work out the age of a Nun.”
Honestly. I’ve read that paragraph out-loud to more than one person and ended up disolving in laughter every single time. This book is just so brilliant that you’ll wish you’d written it.
Descriptions, in this book, are epic. We are told the family story through the eyes of each individual character but young Jenny’s story at the start is the one that grips me. Her young years definitely show but at the same time there’s a level of maturity captured throughout that is completely realistic and admirable.
“And then Granny says she offered up a novena to St Anthony that morning coz it was Tuesday and that’s the only day of the week that he works and coz St Anthony’s the sain to flost things she thought he might be able to help Jacob find his lost voice. Da laughed out real loud and Granny says she doesn’t know why he’s laughing coz there’s more chance of Jacob finding his voice than there is of Da finding a job and then Da says F-off with his mouth but not with his voice…”
About the author – M for Mammy is Eleanor O’Reilly’s debut novel and she is described as an emerging Irish talent. I never liked that word ‘Emerging’ when describing talent. Her talent isn’t emerging at all. It’s pretty much right there out in the open, in this book and in everything that she does! She is full of talent. Permanent Irish talent! Authors all come from somewhere before they ‘Author’ something and O’Reilly is a teacher of English and Classical Studies in Co. Wexford. She is utterly brilliant.
Sometimes, a book makes me want to find out more about the author. Especially a book that touches on Autism – because I want to know how the author got to understand it at such a level that they could then write something so gripping about it. This book is one of those. I spent time reading about Eleanor O’Reilly as I pieced together this review – even before I had finished reading the book. That rarely happens – but there were so many moments in this book that I wanted to capture that I had to begin in advance to do my review justice.
“Sr Mary Assumpta up in the office is the boss nun. Da says she’s like 159 years old in Nun Years. Nun Years are different from human years. Da says nuns live longer than people do. It’s like when they’re born they look like they are about thirty but then everything slows down, so they never really look older than sixty-eight no matter what age they are. Every Nun Year is equal to about twelve human years or something like that. Da says there’s even a Nun Year Converter online to work out the age of a Nun.”
Honestly. I’ve read that paragraph out-loud to more than one person and ended up disolving in laughter every single time. This book is just so brilliant that you’ll wish you’d written it.
Descriptions, in this book, are epic. We are told the family story through the eyes of each individual character but young Jenny’s story at the start is the one that grips me. Her young years definitely show but at the same time there’s a level of maturity captured throughout that is completely realistic and admirable.
“And then Granny says she offered up a novena to St Anthony that morning coz it was Tuesday and that’s the only day of the week that he works and coz St Anthony’s the sain to flost things she thought he might be able to help Jacob find his lost voice. Da laughed out real loud and Granny says she doesn’t know why he’s laughing coz there’s more chance of Jacob finding his voice than there is of Da finding a job and then Da says F-off with his mouth but not with his voice…”
About the author – M for Mammy is Eleanor O’Reilly’s debut novel and she is described as an emerging Irish talent. I never liked that word ‘Emerging’ when describing talent. Her talent isn’t emerging at all. It’s pretty much right there out in the open, in this book and in everything that she does! She is full of talent. Permanent Irish talent! Authors all come from somewhere before they ‘Author’ something and O’Reilly is a teacher of English and Classical Studies in Co. Wexford. She is utterly brilliant.
November 17, 2018
The debut novel by Eleanor O'Reilly and one I was given through Netgalley for review. This is a book about love and family and what that means to every member of a family. It is also about communication and how we tell our stories to each other. There were lots of things to love about this book. The characters are compelling and chapters in the voices of all the key players (with the strange exception of the dad) allows you to get to know them all well. The narrative arcs are interesting and you find yourself deeply invested in what happens. I liked the echo of the plotting in the books that Jenny, the little girl in the story is reading. I found myself enjoying it more and more as I read on. The only thing I found a little frustrating was that some sections were rather long. Having said that I am looking forward to seeing what O'Reilly does next as an author. This is a really promising debut.
April 6, 2019
I really wanted to like this book. The Augustt family sounded an interesting bunch. Dad is out of work, Jenny is old beyond her years, probably from being brought up with Jacob, her autistic young brother. Mum finds life a struggle & when she has a stroke & is hospitalised for a long time Granny moves in to take care of everyone.
Each chapter of the book is written by alternating characters. Although this does serve to show the strange & wonderful world Jonah inhabits & the confusion Annette feels after her stroke, I found this difficult to adjust to. I would have much preferred the story to have been purely from Jenny's point of view. I did enjoy the character of Granny- although I would have hated living with her!
This was a brave way to write a book. I admire the intent even if I didn't like the book as much as I hoped. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.
Each chapter of the book is written by alternating characters. Although this does serve to show the strange & wonderful world Jonah inhabits & the confusion Annette feels after her stroke, I found this difficult to adjust to. I would have much preferred the story to have been purely from Jenny's point of view. I did enjoy the character of Granny- although I would have hated living with her!
This was a brave way to write a book. I admire the intent even if I didn't like the book as much as I hoped. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.
November 12, 2018
When I first started reading this I was expecting the usual Irish chick lit. It is not like that at all.
At first I found the chapters with Jacob confusing, Jacob has Autism so his chapters are written like how his mind works. I soon got used to that and even through all the confusion you got a real feel of Jacobs character.
All in all a very readable story with strong well written characters.
At first I found the chapters with Jacob confusing, Jacob has Autism so his chapters are written like how his mind works. I soon got used to that and even through all the confusion you got a real feel of Jacobs character.
All in all a very readable story with strong well written characters.
February 2, 2022
Having the nonverbal kid having to speak rather than the family just accepting him and learning new ways to communicate was a choice made that I wasn't really expecting, as I thought that there was a chance that maybe wouldn't happen since there were ipads with apps for nonverbal people and all being brought into the story but ig not.. This book had some interesting themes and ideas about language/words.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2019
When a book has you wailing like a banshee at a funeral, you know it's one of those books that's just special. For me, there were so many aspects to the characters that resonated with my own life, i found it hard to read...but in a good way. That's what writing should do, touch your heart and this did in spades. I felt I was in a therapy session when reading, again, that's not necessarily what I signed up for, lol, but this read certainly healed parts of me in some way. My favorite character was Jenny, and i miss her, and hope one day she comes back in another story. Her longing to have her Mam back home reminded me too of my own Mam, who was sick all her life, and all i wanted was to have her healthy and a 'normal' family life. My heart went out to that character. I loved her curiosity and outlook, and her humor. I've read other reviews, and I can relate to some views that said there were parts of the book that 'rambled' but I feel that's what makes the book great...it was real. Don't all our thoughts ramble, to all places from time to time...that's how the mind works, that's how language works, and that's what the author portrayed...a real time sense of the thought process. The authors insight into the breakdown of how a stroke victim tries to process everything is nothing short of genius. My Dad had an aneurysm, and Eleanors descriptive chapters of how obscured those who've had a stroke think, made me understand what he may have gone through. Words sure aren't easy for stroke patients to speak or understand and that may look jumbled/rambled on the page but that's the reality. As for Jacob, for someone who has never been around autism, I was afforded an insight into their world, and am forever grateful for that. This book is a beautiful read, and you need to take the time and savor each word, if not for yourself, but out of respect to anyone who's had a stroke or who has autism, it's a homage to their world....in a way. I don't think I'm explaining what I mean very well...I'm no writer!! In short...I loved the book..funny...witty...poignant...inciteful...sad.....meaningful....brilliant!
March 10, 2019
The Augustts are, like all families, a bit complicated. A loving irish family, their love binds them together – but all express that in very different ways. However, when misfortune strikes the family they are forced to work together in order to understand each other again, as with a family as complicated as the Augustts it's not always what is spoken that makes the most sense. Things are shaken up further when Granny Mae-Anne moves in and takes charge. Full of stern words and common sense, she's a force of nature who must try her hardest to hold the family together.
Author Eleanor O'Reilly is a teacher of English and Classical studies, who has just completed an MA in Creative Writing at Manchester Metropolitan University. Based in Ireland with her husband and daughter, O'Reilly has won several awards for her short stories, with M for Mammy her first novel.
I should start by saying that, historically, I've struggled with novels that are written in the language of a child. Whilst I understand that it allows the author to connect the reader and the character easily, it's a style that is rarely used well - with, in my opinion, some authors using it as a crutch rather than a narrative device that adds anything to the storytelling. However, in the last few years I have read a few exceptions, and M for Mammy is one of these - with author O'Reilly utilising various viewpoints in order to tell her story - allowing her to use a variety of narrative styles and ensuring that, when she does tell the story through the viewpoint of a character such as young, autistic Jacob, the effect is maximised on the reader to compelling, emotional effect.
The story told here is a warm and moving tale of a family finding out how to come together in the wake of a family emergency - when Annette, Mammy, heart of the family, has a stroke and loses her ability to talk. In the wake of the stroke the family is pulled together by Granny Mae-Anne, but they struggle to talk to each other about their feelings - with Da feeling unable to communicate, daughter Jenny preferring to write her thoughts down than to discuss them, and son Jacob unable to express his feelings due to autism. At heart, this is a warm and uplifting family drama, but amplified and improved by the clever choices that O'Reilly chooses to make in how she tells her tale. These really allow the reader to get to know each character intimately - and as such ensures that the emotional pull of the narrative is strong throughout. Family should be warm, comforting, and a little bit complicated - and that's exactly what M for Mammy is – a simple tale told with great complexity, nuance, and skill.
Author Eleanor O'Reilly is a teacher of English and Classical studies, who has just completed an MA in Creative Writing at Manchester Metropolitan University. Based in Ireland with her husband and daughter, O'Reilly has won several awards for her short stories, with M for Mammy her first novel.
I should start by saying that, historically, I've struggled with novels that are written in the language of a child. Whilst I understand that it allows the author to connect the reader and the character easily, it's a style that is rarely used well - with, in my opinion, some authors using it as a crutch rather than a narrative device that adds anything to the storytelling. However, in the last few years I have read a few exceptions, and M for Mammy is one of these - with author O'Reilly utilising various viewpoints in order to tell her story - allowing her to use a variety of narrative styles and ensuring that, when she does tell the story through the viewpoint of a character such as young, autistic Jacob, the effect is maximised on the reader to compelling, emotional effect.
The story told here is a warm and moving tale of a family finding out how to come together in the wake of a family emergency - when Annette, Mammy, heart of the family, has a stroke and loses her ability to talk. In the wake of the stroke the family is pulled together by Granny Mae-Anne, but they struggle to talk to each other about their feelings - with Da feeling unable to communicate, daughter Jenny preferring to write her thoughts down than to discuss them, and son Jacob unable to express his feelings due to autism. At heart, this is a warm and uplifting family drama, but amplified and improved by the clever choices that O'Reilly chooses to make in how she tells her tale. These really allow the reader to get to know each character intimately - and as such ensures that the emotional pull of the narrative is strong throughout. Family should be warm, comforting, and a little bit complicated - and that's exactly what M for Mammy is – a simple tale told with great complexity, nuance, and skill.
March 21, 2019
I think this is one where I may well be out of step with popular opinion; I found it to be a sad read, and at times struggled to get through to the end.
All about the lives of the Augustts; Da, Mammy, Jenny and Jacob. The are not without their problems but, as families do, they muddle through. Then Mammy suffers from a bout of ill health and the rest of them are left struggling like a rudderless ship. Granny Mae-Anne decides that the only answer is for her to move in and look after both children - and she is a force to be reckoned with.
This novel reveals the innermost thoughts of Jenny and Jacob, whilst following Annette in her long road to recovery. As with any child who cares for a younger sibling, Jenny is old beyond her years and isn't sure about things Granny does differently from Mammy. Da and Granny don't exactly hit it off, adding to the confusion. There is so much reading in this one, I found the narrative to go on and on, and I lost focus more than once, but I kept going to the final page. In all honesty, I can't say I loved it, finding it to be a sad and heart-breaking story. It was an okay read, and I'm really not sure I would go any further than that, sadly. I cannot complete my review without mentioning the glaring error relating to Thomas the Tank Engine's friends. Anyone who, like me, has raised two children as big fans and who are now raising theirs with the same love of these characters, knows that Gordon is - like Thomas - blue, and not green (like Henry)!!
My thanks to John Murray Press for my copy via NetGalley. This is, as always, my honest and unbiased review.
All about the lives of the Augustts; Da, Mammy, Jenny and Jacob. The are not without their problems but, as families do, they muddle through. Then Mammy suffers from a bout of ill health and the rest of them are left struggling like a rudderless ship. Granny Mae-Anne decides that the only answer is for her to move in and look after both children - and she is a force to be reckoned with.
This novel reveals the innermost thoughts of Jenny and Jacob, whilst following Annette in her long road to recovery. As with any child who cares for a younger sibling, Jenny is old beyond her years and isn't sure about things Granny does differently from Mammy. Da and Granny don't exactly hit it off, adding to the confusion. There is so much reading in this one, I found the narrative to go on and on, and I lost focus more than once, but I kept going to the final page. In all honesty, I can't say I loved it, finding it to be a sad and heart-breaking story. It was an okay read, and I'm really not sure I would go any further than that, sadly. I cannot complete my review without mentioning the glaring error relating to Thomas the Tank Engine's friends. Anyone who, like me, has raised two children as big fans and who are now raising theirs with the same love of these characters, knows that Gordon is - like Thomas - blue, and not green (like Henry)!!
My thanks to John Murray Press for my copy via NetGalley. This is, as always, my honest and unbiased review.
February 23, 2019
Initially I struggled with this book and the style in which it was written. Told from the viewpoint of three people, Annette the mother and her children Jenny and Jacob. Jacob is autistic and so his story is told through his thoughts. Annette has a stroke and her story is told the same way.
Both Annette and Jacobs part of the story were hard to read, I guess it felt repetitive and disjointed but the reader has to remember this is mental story telling and our thoughts can be all over the place with no sense to anyone but ourselves. Once I got that into my mind I found their parts much easier to read.
I was ready to give up at first but set myself a target of 25% of the way through to give the book a chance. I’m glad I did. This developed into a beautiful story of an everyday family facing challenges any of us could find ourselves facing. The issues were handled well and realistically with empathy. I could feel the frustration from Annette and felt the ritualistic behaviour from Jacob portrayed autism very well. It was a bit of an emotional roller coaster with laughter along the way. Especially from Granny who was a brilliant character.
I do recommend this book and would tell anyone struggling to persevere because it’s worth doing so.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for an honest and unbiased opinion. And a further thanks to the author for taking a chance on a book about challenging subjects.
Both Annette and Jacobs part of the story were hard to read, I guess it felt repetitive and disjointed but the reader has to remember this is mental story telling and our thoughts can be all over the place with no sense to anyone but ourselves. Once I got that into my mind I found their parts much easier to read.
I was ready to give up at first but set myself a target of 25% of the way through to give the book a chance. I’m glad I did. This developed into a beautiful story of an everyday family facing challenges any of us could find ourselves facing. The issues were handled well and realistically with empathy. I could feel the frustration from Annette and felt the ritualistic behaviour from Jacob portrayed autism very well. It was a bit of an emotional roller coaster with laughter along the way. Especially from Granny who was a brilliant character.
I do recommend this book and would tell anyone struggling to persevere because it’s worth doing so.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for an honest and unbiased opinion. And a further thanks to the author for taking a chance on a book about challenging subjects.
February 18, 2019
I really wanted to love this book and from the description I thought I would, especially as it's about an Irish family, but I just couldn't get into the story.
It started off well enough with some amusing parts, but by the third chapter my mind was wandering elsewhere when I was reading it. It was far too descriptive and seemed to go on and on but without getting anywhere in particular. As the description said the family was 'a bit complicated', well that's definitely how the book felt to me.
Unfortunately it just couldn't keep my interest and I had to call it a day.
Maybe it was just me, and I'm sure other people will have other opinions - a good idea for a book but it just didn't hit the spot for me in the writing style.
It started off well enough with some amusing parts, but by the third chapter my mind was wandering elsewhere when I was reading it. It was far too descriptive and seemed to go on and on but without getting anywhere in particular. As the description said the family was 'a bit complicated', well that's definitely how the book felt to me.
Unfortunately it just couldn't keep my interest and I had to call it a day.
Maybe it was just me, and I'm sure other people will have other opinions - a good idea for a book but it just didn't hit the spot for me in the writing style.
July 31, 2019
This is such a cute book. I picked this book up thinking it would be a sassy-granny-comes-over-to-rule-spoilt-brat-child-to-save-grandchildren kind of story, but instead it is much more profound. One of the grandchildren is on the Autism spectrum and doesn't speak, the other is highly intelligent, but has difficulty coping with her mum being away for most of the book due to illness (which is also the reason why grandmum moves in). The shifting perspective from the two grandchildren and the mother make the book a lot more interactive. It is surprising how captivating this book is considering the plot is not all that exciting. That is also one of the only pitfalls of the book: I noticed skipping little bits and pieces because I wasn't interested in them. But it is defintiely a cute and captivating story and for a debut, an excellent novel.
April 10, 2019
Wanted to enjoy it. The author had a good idea and there were laugh out loud moments - Granny was a good character. But the narrative voices were not strongly expressed. Jenny was the strongest, but it was too childlike, too rambling, overly descriptive (stealing other reviewers words). It was very slow.
I wanted to be engaged with these characters. They had a story to tell. But I skipped through the middle to the end in frustration. Waste of my $30!
The editors did not do this author any service at all. Somebody needed to get a grip on it. If it had been tightened up, if the disjointedness and rambling nature could have been crisper and more direct - then it could have been great.
Good luck with the next one Eleanor.
I wanted to be engaged with these characters. They had a story to tell. But I skipped through the middle to the end in frustration. Waste of my $30!
The editors did not do this author any service at all. Somebody needed to get a grip on it. If it had been tightened up, if the disjointedness and rambling nature could have been crisper and more direct - then it could have been great.
Good luck with the next one Eleanor.
November 29, 2018
I did not finish reading this book. The first chapter was quite gripping but after that I couldn't seem to concentrate on the overly descriptive language and very slow pace. Maybe I was in the wrong mood.
Each chapter focuses on a different member of the family and as far as I read the main 'driver' fr the story was the youngest child's autism and how the family dealt with it. The pace was too slow to grip me and I found myself not taking my kindle out on my commute, preferring my phone which usually for me is a sign that the book I'm reading isn't doing it for me.
It's a shame, I think it probably had quite good potential and the cover is beautiful.
Each chapter focuses on a different member of the family and as far as I read the main 'driver' fr the story was the youngest child's autism and how the family dealt with it. The pace was too slow to grip me and I found myself not taking my kindle out on my commute, preferring my phone which usually for me is a sign that the book I'm reading isn't doing it for me.
It's a shame, I think it probably had quite good potential and the cover is beautiful.
January 3, 2019
This book is voiced by three characters.
Mammy,Jacob and Jenny.
Mammy has had a stroke,her thoughts are jumbled.
Jacob has autism,his thoughts are muddled but in a different way.
Jenny is a bright spark of a character.
I wish Jenny had narrated the whole book,as hers was the only voice I enjoyed... so I found the book a drag from the beginning when switching narration.
Granny was a cracking character too...
Mammy,Jacob and Jenny.
Mammy has had a stroke,her thoughts are jumbled.
Jacob has autism,his thoughts are muddled but in a different way.
Jenny is a bright spark of a character.
I wish Jenny had narrated the whole book,as hers was the only voice I enjoyed... so I found the book a drag from the beginning when switching narration.
Granny was a cracking character too...
November 28, 2019
At the start we meet the Augustts, a loving Irish family who are not without their problems. Dad loves his family but has no idea how to express his feelings. He has also been out of work for ages and has lost his way. Jacob, the son, is autistic and has never spoken. Jenny, the daughter is very intelligent but can’t quite work out how the world works so she writes it all down to try and make sense of it. Mum tries to hold the family together and is doing a pretty good job of it until she has a stroke, loses the power of speech and is hospitalised for a prolonged period. Enter Granny, a tour de force who moves in to look after everyone while Mum is away. This book is about a family who cope in the face of adversity because love conquers most things in the end and it is about communication, language and words. Alternating chapters give each of the family members the chance to tell the narrative from their own point of view.
There was a lot to like about this book. The characters were well developed and I felt I knew each of them fairly well by the time I reached the end. There are situations which the family struggles to overcome, but the love which they have for each other, and which they each demonstrate in their own way, is remarkable. Similarly the way in which they communicate with each other, despite the obvious difficulties, is very interesting. The author conveys all this to the reader by using different “voices” for each of the characters when they are telling their version of events and it is an effective tool.
However, the book was not without its problems. I found the start was so slow that I nearly gave up. Although it did improve as it progressed, I was quite a long way through the book before I really felt invested in the story and there were quite a few places where it seemed to drag. All in all I think it was too long. Also, although I understand why the author used different “voices” for each character (overall to good effect), I did not find it easy to read in places and it all got a bit much to take at times.
In retrospect, I think that this was a very clever book and an excellent debut novel. However, I am not sure that I would whole-heartedly recommend it.as I did not find it particularly easy to read in places and found it generally too slow and too long.
There was a lot to like about this book. The characters were well developed and I felt I knew each of them fairly well by the time I reached the end. There are situations which the family struggles to overcome, but the love which they have for each other, and which they each demonstrate in their own way, is remarkable. Similarly the way in which they communicate with each other, despite the obvious difficulties, is very interesting. The author conveys all this to the reader by using different “voices” for each of the characters when they are telling their version of events and it is an effective tool.
However, the book was not without its problems. I found the start was so slow that I nearly gave up. Although it did improve as it progressed, I was quite a long way through the book before I really felt invested in the story and there were quite a few places where it seemed to drag. All in all I think it was too long. Also, although I understand why the author used different “voices” for each character (overall to good effect), I did not find it easy to read in places and it all got a bit much to take at times.
In retrospect, I think that this was a very clever book and an excellent debut novel. However, I am not sure that I would whole-heartedly recommend it.as I did not find it particularly easy to read in places and found it generally too slow and too long.
March 15, 2019
M For Mammy
I’m reading M For Mammy for Netgalley, I chose to read it from their suggestions because I was sure I’d heard something about it somewhere and the cover and blurb appealed to me.
Meet the Augustts: a loving, Irish family who, like all families, are a bit complicated.
They are bound together by their love for each other, but each expresses themselves in a very different way. When misfortune strikes the family, they must learn to understand each other anew. Sometimes, in a family as complicated as the Augustts, it's not always what is spoken that makes the most sense.
Everything is shaken up when Granny Mae-Anne moves in and takes charge. A force of nature, full of stern words and no-nonsense common sense, it is she who must try and hold the family together.
A Heartfelt read from different perspectives from a child, a parent and grandparent. The story begins slowly explaining who, what and why before going onto further developments in the family.
I enjoyed finding out the real relationships between them and the dynamics of their roles within the family.
I particularly liked ‘Granny’, as well as feeling a little frustrated at times, I could tell why she ‘ rubbed some people up the wrong way.’
The parts that made me smile were beautifully written, for example when a child tells a teacher about Granny and some of the things she’s said. This prompts a smile on the teachers face, who is struggling not to show their amusement. Grannies comment of course has gone completely over the child’s head, leaving a question mark in their mind.
There are moments that I read which made me tear up as well as laugh out loud moments. I thought the world through the characters eyes was captured well. You find out quite quickly that one of the children in the story is autistic. Their thought processes and behaviours are spot on for someone on the autistic spectrum.
I’d like to read other books by the author Eleanor O’Rielly, this was a good read!
I’m reading M For Mammy for Netgalley, I chose to read it from their suggestions because I was sure I’d heard something about it somewhere and the cover and blurb appealed to me.
Meet the Augustts: a loving, Irish family who, like all families, are a bit complicated.
They are bound together by their love for each other, but each expresses themselves in a very different way. When misfortune strikes the family, they must learn to understand each other anew. Sometimes, in a family as complicated as the Augustts, it's not always what is spoken that makes the most sense.
Everything is shaken up when Granny Mae-Anne moves in and takes charge. A force of nature, full of stern words and no-nonsense common sense, it is she who must try and hold the family together.
A Heartfelt read from different perspectives from a child, a parent and grandparent. The story begins slowly explaining who, what and why before going onto further developments in the family.
I enjoyed finding out the real relationships between them and the dynamics of their roles within the family.
I particularly liked ‘Granny’, as well as feeling a little frustrated at times, I could tell why she ‘ rubbed some people up the wrong way.’
The parts that made me smile were beautifully written, for example when a child tells a teacher about Granny and some of the things she’s said. This prompts a smile on the teachers face, who is struggling not to show their amusement. Grannies comment of course has gone completely over the child’s head, leaving a question mark in their mind.
There are moments that I read which made me tear up as well as laugh out loud moments. I thought the world through the characters eyes was captured well. You find out quite quickly that one of the children in the story is autistic. Their thought processes and behaviours are spot on for someone on the autistic spectrum.
I’d like to read other books by the author Eleanor O’Rielly, this was a good read!
October 20, 2022
I loved the Augustt family, but I wondered where their peculiar surname came from? No sign of any on the Census of Ireland. Would have liked to know. Just saying.
While this was a very well written story, I felt it could have done with a more forceful edit. In particular, reducing the chapters written from the POV of the little non-verbal autistic boy Jacob and his mother Annette, who’d had a stroke. While I’m most sympathetic for the situation that both of them found themselves in, after two paragraphs of getting inside their muddled heads I got the message. I didn’t need five pages of their mixed up thinking, that led nowhere, and didn’t move the story along. I’m afraid I just scanned these. Had they been two pages each time I’d have stuck with them.
Same with Jenny’s letters to Anne Frank – too long and rambling. I got it that she had to talk to someone, but sometimes less is more.
I loved the very witty Granny and Jenny and the fairly useless father – wonderful characters - great humour and humanity there. Jenny showed such maturity in dealing with her little brother and also her much changed mother. A little girl, old beyond her years. I was sad for her, but felt she’d grow up into a very loving adult.
Lovely relationships between each member of the family made the tale heartwarming, but I couldn’t recommend the book as I found I, myself, had to plough through the aforementioned parts of it. Sorry. Had it been -300 pages instead of 400+ I would have given it 4 stars, sadly I’ve had to reduce it to 3. Not the author’s fault – nothing that a brave editor couldn’t have fixed.
While this was a very well written story, I felt it could have done with a more forceful edit. In particular, reducing the chapters written from the POV of the little non-verbal autistic boy Jacob and his mother Annette, who’d had a stroke. While I’m most sympathetic for the situation that both of them found themselves in, after two paragraphs of getting inside their muddled heads I got the message. I didn’t need five pages of their mixed up thinking, that led nowhere, and didn’t move the story along. I’m afraid I just scanned these. Had they been two pages each time I’d have stuck with them.
Same with Jenny’s letters to Anne Frank – too long and rambling. I got it that she had to talk to someone, but sometimes less is more.
I loved the very witty Granny and Jenny and the fairly useless father – wonderful characters - great humour and humanity there. Jenny showed such maturity in dealing with her little brother and also her much changed mother. A little girl, old beyond her years. I was sad for her, but felt she’d grow up into a very loving adult.
Lovely relationships between each member of the family made the tale heartwarming, but I couldn’t recommend the book as I found I, myself, had to plough through the aforementioned parts of it. Sorry. Had it been -300 pages instead of 400+ I would have given it 4 stars, sadly I’ve had to reduce it to 3. Not the author’s fault – nothing that a brave editor couldn’t have fixed.
May 19, 2019
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest, independent review.
The Augustts are a loving Irish family, with two kids, Jenny and Jacob. Jacob has Autism and is trapped in a silent world. They muddle through until mum Annette has a stroke and Granny has to move in to help while Annette recovers.
The book is narrated in alternative chapters by three main characters: Jenny, Jacob and Annette. Although this is a great idea to get the seriousness of autism and stroke across, I struggled with it. I found it interesting to get in the head of five-year-old Jacob, who cannot speak but has a head full of muddled words trying make sense of the situation. However, when mum Annette narrated during and in the recovery phase of her stroke, it was very hard to know what was going on with a jumble of words - very interesting style of writing and I understand the concept the author was trying to get across for both, but it didn't work for me.
I liked it when Jenny narrated - a young girl trying to be there for her little brother while also not understanding why her mum was in hospital, and trying to cope with Granny running the household.
I think I would have preferred the whole book written from Jenny's point of view, but then the downside of this is we wouldn't have got into the minds of a child with autism or someone who has just had a stroke.
I also found at times the story felt like it wasn't going anywhere. There was a large portion of the book where it felt like we were just waiting for mum to get better, with the rest of the family plodding on.
The Augustts are a loving Irish family, with two kids, Jenny and Jacob. Jacob has Autism and is trapped in a silent world. They muddle through until mum Annette has a stroke and Granny has to move in to help while Annette recovers.
The book is narrated in alternative chapters by three main characters: Jenny, Jacob and Annette. Although this is a great idea to get the seriousness of autism and stroke across, I struggled with it. I found it interesting to get in the head of five-year-old Jacob, who cannot speak but has a head full of muddled words trying make sense of the situation. However, when mum Annette narrated during and in the recovery phase of her stroke, it was very hard to know what was going on with a jumble of words - very interesting style of writing and I understand the concept the author was trying to get across for both, but it didn't work for me.
I liked it when Jenny narrated - a young girl trying to be there for her little brother while also not understanding why her mum was in hospital, and trying to cope with Granny running the household.
I think I would have preferred the whole book written from Jenny's point of view, but then the downside of this is we wouldn't have got into the minds of a child with autism or someone who has just had a stroke.
I also found at times the story felt like it wasn't going anywhere. There was a large portion of the book where it felt like we were just waiting for mum to get better, with the rest of the family plodding on.
June 25, 2019
M for Mammy is quite a different sort of story which offers a powerful message about the bond of family and of the drama of holding everything together when it seems as if the world is falling apart.
The Augustts are a loving Irish family who have their share of family problems but they are somehow muddling, as best they can, through life. Told in a series of clear voices a story emerges of a family on the brink of significant change especially since early on in the book, mum, Annette Augustt, suffers a debilitating illness and Granny Mae-Anne, the family matriarch, with a heart of gold, and penchant for apple crumble steps into the brink, keeping the family together in her own inimitable style.
M for Mammy is an interesting story, parts of which I thought worked better than others as some of the narrative is a little bit over long in places, but that didn't spoil my enjoyment of this lovely story. I thought the characterisation was excellent, especially little Jenny who I loved from the start, especially her written composition about A Good Day which opens the book, her description of eating chips with her dad and little brother Jacob, fairly sizzled on the page. Jacob's autism is particularly well done and I heard his voice loud and clear. however, Granny Mae-Anne was, for me, the glue that kept the story together, and, believe me, every family needs a granny just like her!
M for Mammy is a good debut novel and I look forward to seeing what the author does next.
The Augustts are a loving Irish family who have their share of family problems but they are somehow muddling, as best they can, through life. Told in a series of clear voices a story emerges of a family on the brink of significant change especially since early on in the book, mum, Annette Augustt, suffers a debilitating illness and Granny Mae-Anne, the family matriarch, with a heart of gold, and penchant for apple crumble steps into the brink, keeping the family together in her own inimitable style.
M for Mammy is an interesting story, parts of which I thought worked better than others as some of the narrative is a little bit over long in places, but that didn't spoil my enjoyment of this lovely story. I thought the characterisation was excellent, especially little Jenny who I loved from the start, especially her written composition about A Good Day which opens the book, her description of eating chips with her dad and little brother Jacob, fairly sizzled on the page. Jacob's autism is particularly well done and I heard his voice loud and clear. however, Granny Mae-Anne was, for me, the glue that kept the story together, and, believe me, every family needs a granny just like her!
M for Mammy is a good debut novel and I look forward to seeing what the author does next.
March 15, 2024
3.5⭐️
Recensione complicata perché per la prima metà ho dovuto combattere contro la mia volontà di abbandonarlo e lasciarlo marcire da qualche parte, poi dal 50/60% in poi ha preso decisamente un altro ritmo ed ho faticato a staccarmi dalle pagine.
Il primo 50/60% è lentissimo, è confusionario, sembra che cerchi quasi di costruire un mondo che già conosciamo, in realtà, perché è il mondo contemporaneo.
Il secondo 40/50% è decisamente più interessante e sembra scritto anche quasi completamente da un’altra persona. Fosse il libro stato formato solo da questa parte sicuramente sarebbe da 4/4.5!
Ho adorato il rapporto tra Jenny e Jacob. Mi è piaciuto vedere il mondo attraverso gli occhi di Jenny.
Ho trovato interessanti i capitoli dal pov di Jacob e, secondo me, sono un’ottima rappresentazione di cosa succede nel cervello di una persona con la sua sintomatologia. Forse ne avrei preferiti avere di meno, però, e poter vedere il mondo anche attraverso gli occhi di Da.
Granny, invece, l’ho trovata abbastanza di sfuggita. Questa nonna che si impone alla famiglia quando la mamma viene a “mancare” nel suo quotidiano. Ci sono molti capitoli dal suo punto di vista eppure riesce a rimanere comunque marginale.
A parer mio il libro poteva esser anche tutto scritto dal punto di vista di Jenny perché è fondamentalmente lei che trascina tutta la storia.
Recensione complicata perché per la prima metà ho dovuto combattere contro la mia volontà di abbandonarlo e lasciarlo marcire da qualche parte, poi dal 50/60% in poi ha preso decisamente un altro ritmo ed ho faticato a staccarmi dalle pagine.
Il primo 50/60% è lentissimo, è confusionario, sembra che cerchi quasi di costruire un mondo che già conosciamo, in realtà, perché è il mondo contemporaneo.
Il secondo 40/50% è decisamente più interessante e sembra scritto anche quasi completamente da un’altra persona. Fosse il libro stato formato solo da questa parte sicuramente sarebbe da 4/4.5!
Ho adorato il rapporto tra Jenny e Jacob. Mi è piaciuto vedere il mondo attraverso gli occhi di Jenny.
Ho trovato interessanti i capitoli dal pov di Jacob e, secondo me, sono un’ottima rappresentazione di cosa succede nel cervello di una persona con la sua sintomatologia. Forse ne avrei preferiti avere di meno, però, e poter vedere il mondo anche attraverso gli occhi di Da.
Granny, invece, l’ho trovata abbastanza di sfuggita. Questa nonna che si impone alla famiglia quando la mamma viene a “mancare” nel suo quotidiano. Ci sono molti capitoli dal suo punto di vista eppure riesce a rimanere comunque marginale.
A parer mio il libro poteva esser anche tutto scritto dal punto di vista di Jenny perché è fondamentalmente lei che trascina tutta la storia.
March 24, 2019
M for Mammy sounded like a truly intriguing read.
It covers some pretty important issues, such as Autism and having a stroke.
I was really quite excited to read it, but sadly I found it very hard to follow because of the disjointed nature of the set-out.
I understand the three viewpoints were important, and the thoughts of an autistic child, Jacob, would be all over the place, and again the way we were put in the mother Annette's shoes, who has suffered a stroke, and all the confusion your mind goes through. Then we had Jenny, a young girl who is battling through trying to understand life, her brother and an absent mother.
Three very different ways of thinking, and the premise was really clever. But I just got confused!
I loved Granny and would have liked to know her more.
I wish I could rate more, but it took me so long to read, because I couldn't engage, therefore my rating is as such.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Two Roads and John Murray Press for an arc, in exchange for an honest review.
It covers some pretty important issues, such as Autism and having a stroke.
I was really quite excited to read it, but sadly I found it very hard to follow because of the disjointed nature of the set-out.
I understand the three viewpoints were important, and the thoughts of an autistic child, Jacob, would be all over the place, and again the way we were put in the mother Annette's shoes, who has suffered a stroke, and all the confusion your mind goes through. Then we had Jenny, a young girl who is battling through trying to understand life, her brother and an absent mother.
Three very different ways of thinking, and the premise was really clever. But I just got confused!
I loved Granny and would have liked to know her more.
I wish I could rate more, but it took me so long to read, because I couldn't engage, therefore my rating is as such.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Two Roads and John Murray Press for an arc, in exchange for an honest review.
March 22, 2019
This debut novel is very different from the books I usually review but I was intrigued by the description. I am very familiar with the stereotypical ‘Irish Mammy' and found great humour in this. The same can be said with the internal thoughts of Jenny, a young girl trying to handle what life is throwing at her. Whilst this, for me was a very emotional read, it is help greatly by Grandma's shenanigans. The only thing which puts me off from giving it a higher rating than ⭐⭐⭐⭐ is the fractured, confusing flow at the start of the book. It took a lot of perseverance to get my head in the game and knuckle down until things smoothed out. It was worth my efforts, but I wouldn’t class it as a quick read, definitely a novel you need to take your time with. Having said that, given the subject matter that may have been the author intent. My thanks to #Netgalley and @JohnMurrays Press for allowing me to review an advanced copy of #MForMammy.
March 11, 2019
This is a heart-warming family drama about the Irish Augustt family, told from the perspective of Jenny, a young girl just trying to make sense of the world, her brother, Jacob, who is autistic and non verbal, and her mother who has just had a serious stroke and disappeared to hospital. Three very different types of voices. Her grandmother moves in to help out and her dad struggles with unemployment and drinking. Can they pull it all together as a family?
I thought this was a strong debut novel for Eleanor O’Reilly, authentic and charming with characters that really stood out. The dialogue and accents of the characters were so well done that I could easily hear each distinct Irish brogue as I read. The sad parts are tempered by the funny parts and there’s a feeling of real life here – these are the struggles that families endure.
At times I found it a little hard to follow due to the complexity and shifting perspectives and the story didn’t seem to have much purpose, but it was never going to be easy to tell a story from the point of view of a non verbal autistic and a confused stroke victim that’s for sure! Overall, I enjoyed this read and it’s attempt to sensitively explore an interesting and authentic family dynamic.
I’d give M for Mammy 4 stars.
Note I received M for Mammy to review from the publishers via NetGalley.
I thought this was a strong debut novel for Eleanor O’Reilly, authentic and charming with characters that really stood out. The dialogue and accents of the characters were so well done that I could easily hear each distinct Irish brogue as I read. The sad parts are tempered by the funny parts and there’s a feeling of real life here – these are the struggles that families endure.
At times I found it a little hard to follow due to the complexity and shifting perspectives and the story didn’t seem to have much purpose, but it was never going to be easy to tell a story from the point of view of a non verbal autistic and a confused stroke victim that’s for sure! Overall, I enjoyed this read and it’s attempt to sensitively explore an interesting and authentic family dynamic.
I’d give M for Mammy 4 stars.
Note I received M for Mammy to review from the publishers via NetGalley.
March 28, 2019
This is about the love of home, patience, and communication within an Irish family.
Mammy has a stroke completely out of the blue, so Granny Mae-Anne arrives to take charge.
Da is a quiet man who finds it difficult to say what he means. Many a story is stored somewhere that he cannot get out. Mickey cannot get any words out as he sufferers from The Autism. Jenny writes her thought as they are much easier than speaking them. How they interact, or not, is the key to this story.
The author Eleanor O'Reilly writes about words and how to express yourself, something that this family struggle with. It is beautifully written although the story itself was lacking in substance I felt.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are all my own and completely unbiased. My thanks to NetGalley for this opportunity.
Mammy has a stroke completely out of the blue, so Granny Mae-Anne arrives to take charge.
Da is a quiet man who finds it difficult to say what he means. Many a story is stored somewhere that he cannot get out. Mickey cannot get any words out as he sufferers from The Autism. Jenny writes her thought as they are much easier than speaking them. How they interact, or not, is the key to this story.
The author Eleanor O'Reilly writes about words and how to express yourself, something that this family struggle with. It is beautifully written although the story itself was lacking in substance I felt.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are all my own and completely unbiased. My thanks to NetGalley for this opportunity.
April 23, 2019
As usual I will give nothing of the plot away in my review - plenty of those out there if that's what you are looking for!
I loved this book. The storytelling is first-rate, and there are some fabulous characters. I particularly loved Jenny and Granny, though Jacob, Da and Annette are all well-written too. The story switches between narration by Jenny, Annette and Jacob - and between timelines to some extent. I loved the way Jenny wove stories around her reality, the books she was reading, and her imagined future self. Granny is a "force of nature" and reminds me of someone I've met in real life - a larger than life character!
At times I found it hard to tell what was real and what was imagined - but that's the mark of a good story in my book!
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in return for my honest review.
I loved this book. The storytelling is first-rate, and there are some fabulous characters. I particularly loved Jenny and Granny, though Jacob, Da and Annette are all well-written too. The story switches between narration by Jenny, Annette and Jacob - and between timelines to some extent. I loved the way Jenny wove stories around her reality, the books she was reading, and her imagined future self. Granny is a "force of nature" and reminds me of someone I've met in real life - a larger than life character!
At times I found it hard to tell what was real and what was imagined - but that's the mark of a good story in my book!
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in return for my honest review.
July 12, 2019
M for Mammy is Eleanor O’Reilly’s début novel and it was such a fabulous read!
In this novel, the reader meets the Augustt’s – a loving Irish family, who like so many other families, are a little bit complicated though they are bound together by their love for each other.
Told from the viewpoint of three people 'M for Mammy' was a beautiful story of an everyday family facing challenges that any of us could find ourselves doing. The issues raised were empathetically and realistically told. I could feel the frustration from some of the characters, all of whom were well-drawn by Eleanor O'Reilly. This was something of an emotional roller coaster for me though there was laughter as well. I especially liked Granny Mae-Anne who was a fantastic character.
All in all, I loved this poignant, insightful, witty, funny, sad, and brilliant book and for me, it was a masterpiece!
In this novel, the reader meets the Augustt’s – a loving Irish family, who like so many other families, are a little bit complicated though they are bound together by their love for each other.
Told from the viewpoint of three people 'M for Mammy' was a beautiful story of an everyday family facing challenges that any of us could find ourselves doing. The issues raised were empathetically and realistically told. I could feel the frustration from some of the characters, all of whom were well-drawn by Eleanor O'Reilly. This was something of an emotional roller coaster for me though there was laughter as well. I especially liked Granny Mae-Anne who was a fantastic character.
All in all, I loved this poignant, insightful, witty, funny, sad, and brilliant book and for me, it was a masterpiece!
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