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The Radleys
www.radleysbook.com
Just about everyone knows a family like the Radleys. Many of us grew up next door to one. They are a modern family, averagely content, averagely dysfunctional, living in a staid and quiet suburban English town. Peter is an overworked doctor whose wife, Helen, has become increasingly remote and uncommunicative. Rowan, their teenage son, is being bullied at school, and their anemic daughter, Clara, has recently become a vegan. They are typical, that is, save for one devastating exception: Peter and Helen are vampires and have—for seventeen years—been abstaining by choice from a life of chasing blood in the hope that their children could live normal lives.
One night, Clara finds herself driven to commit a shocking—and disturbingly satisfying—act of violence, and her parents are forced to explain their history of shadows and lies. A police investigation is launched that uncovers a richness of vampire history heretofore unknown to the general public. And when the malevolent and alluring Uncle Will, a practicing vampire, arrives to throw the police off Clara’s trail, he winds up throwing the whole house into temptation and turmoil and unleashing a host of dark secrets that threaten the Radleys’ marriage.
The Radleys is a moving, thrilling, and radiant domestic novel that explores with daring the lengths a parent will go to protect a child, what it costs you to deny your identity, the undeniable appeal of sin, and the everlasting, iridescent bonds of family love. Read it and ask what we grow into when we grow up, and what we gain—and lose—when we deny our appetites.
385 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2010
1698 people are currently reading
21453 people want to read
About the author
Matt Haig
66 books49k followersMatt Haig is the author of novels such as The Midnight Library, How to Stop Time, The Humans, The Radleys, and the forthcoming The Life Impossible. He has also written books for children, such as A Boy Called Christmas, and the memoir Reasons to Stay Alive.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,277 reviews
May 8, 2025
I read this for the first time 10 years ago. Now, that was when you couldn't swing a dead cat without hitting a book that had vampires in it. Back then I loved it, but my tastes have evolved and I've been rereading old favorites this year to see if they still cut the mustard.
Between you and me, I'm not even sure why anyone would ever need to cut mustard. Usually, a squirt bottle suffices to get that delicious condiment on a burger or dog. Even if you're fancy and buy that bougie mustard in a jar, I'm pretty sure you can just slather it on your sandwich with a butter knife without cutting it first.
I may be overthinking things again.
Doesn't matter.
What matters is that I listened to the audiobook version of this and still thought it was great.
The Radleys is an awesome story if you're looking for something a little out of the ordinary. Which I was.
I thought the plot was strange and slightly menacing in the way that only something in a suburbanish setting can be.
You know what I mean?
Anyway. The gist is that there is a family of vampires trying to live as humans.
Mom has a secret that's been eating at her for years, and to compensate for her guilt, has convinced her beleaguered husband to go along with her on a quest to become non-blood drinking vampires.
Lucky for them, they have The Abstainers Handbook to give them all kinds of neat little tips and tricks to deny their nature and be just as miserable as the rest of the population.
Unfortunately, Mrs. Radley has decided it would also be best if the children never found out they were vampires, and keeping that a secret has come with a whole plethora of problems.
Both teens are sickly, itchy, tired, achy, depressed, and generally uncomfortable. However, it's not till their daughter decides to become a vegan that all hell breaks loose and the Radleys' house of cards comes tumbling down.
But a little honesty is usually good for a family.
Right?
So, this is about the lies that you tell your spouse, the lies that you tell your kids, and the lies that you tell yourself. Mostly, though, it's about the consequences of repressing yourself just to fit in.
I mean, there's got to be a happy medium.
Recommended.
Between you and me, I'm not even sure why anyone would ever need to cut mustard. Usually, a squirt bottle suffices to get that delicious condiment on a burger or dog. Even if you're fancy and buy that bougie mustard in a jar, I'm pretty sure you can just slather it on your sandwich with a butter knife without cutting it first.
I may be overthinking things again.
Doesn't matter.
What matters is that I listened to the audiobook version of this and still thought it was great.
The Radleys is an awesome story if you're looking for something a little out of the ordinary. Which I was.
I thought the plot was strange and slightly menacing in the way that only something in a suburbanish setting can be.
You know what I mean?
Anyway. The gist is that there is a family of vampires trying to live as humans.
Mom has a secret that's been eating at her for years, and to compensate for her guilt, has convinced her beleaguered husband to go along with her on a quest to become non-blood drinking vampires.
Lucky for them, they have The Abstainers Handbook to give them all kinds of neat little tips and tricks to deny their nature and be just as miserable as the rest of the population.
Unfortunately, Mrs. Radley has decided it would also be best if the children never found out they were vampires, and keeping that a secret has come with a whole plethora of problems.
Both teens are sickly, itchy, tired, achy, depressed, and generally uncomfortable. However, it's not till their daughter decides to become a vegan that all hell breaks loose and the Radleys' house of cards comes tumbling down.
But a little honesty is usually good for a family.
Right?
So, this is about the lies that you tell your spouse, the lies that you tell your kids, and the lies that you tell yourself. Mostly, though, it's about the consequences of repressing yourself just to fit in.
I mean, there's got to be a happy medium.
Recommended.
June 6, 2021
Suburbia, parents and 2 kids living in semi-detached house with a garden. Teen, Rowan has insomnia, rashes and has to wear Factor 60 sunblock; his sister has turned vegan but is now getting really sick; mid-life crisis heading GP dad is always thirsty; and mum holds it all together, as she tries to deny her heady past. Meet the Radleys... oh, and in case I forgot to mention, the parents are yet to tell the kids that they're all vampires! Behind this white picket fence lives a nest of reluctant vampires... this tenuous state is shaken up, when cool, reckless and exciting Uncle Will is called in to sort out a family crisis!
What if an abstinent vampire family lived a normal life in Middle England? At times darkly comedic, and at times darkly horrific, this book works to an extent, but also kind of fails because it's never quite sure what it wants to be a Young Adult fiction? A horror book? A look at contemporary life through a vampire lens? I can see what Matt wanted to achieve, but don't think he really gets it, but this still didn't stop me from enjoying this, surprisingly fun read! 7 out of 12.
What if an abstinent vampire family lived a normal life in Middle England? At times darkly comedic, and at times darkly horrific, this book works to an extent, but also kind of fails because it's never quite sure what it wants to be a Young Adult fiction? A horror book? A look at contemporary life through a vampire lens? I can see what Matt wanted to achieve, but don't think he really gets it, but this still didn't stop me from enjoying this, surprisingly fun read! 7 out of 12.
March 17, 2015
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
I was looking for a scary vampire story. You’re probably thinking, “duh, Salem’s Lot, you idiot!” Well smartypantses, that was my first choice too . . . and then “The Cloud” ate it.
Whoever decided we should put our faith in clouds anyway? They aren’t very stable.
Anywho, since the geniuses at Amazon (all hail Amazon!) couldn’t solve my problem all lickity splitty like I demanded (don’t they know who I am? I have fives of followers who want to know what I’m reading), I decided to pick up another vampire book and prepared to get all scurrrrred with The Radleys.
Jokes on me! This one wasn’t scary at all . . . but it was awesome. The Radleys take all of the redonkulous things there are to complain about when it comes to vampire stories and turns them on their ear. To begin with, the Radley family members are vegetarians . . . .
No, not that kind. You know what I’m talking about. The dreaded vampire vegetarian . . .
No blood, no foul, right? Well, it was up until the Radley teens started pubing out and discovered some of their buddies might actually be “their own personal brand of heroin” . . .
Ahhhh, if only everyone could be as restrained as Edward Cullen and be satisfied to simply stalk the girl of their dreams . . .
Such is not the case with the Radleys, however, and a little accident happens . . . .
Leading the Radley parents to seek some outside help in order tocover up explain what’s going on with the children. Enter Uncle Will – who for whatever reason I pictured as something kinda like this . . .
Well, without the extra face on the back of his head and all that jazz. Thank you, brain!
Wes Bentley? Good right?
Wait, where was I? Oh yeah, making a picturebook.
So anyway, Uncle Will arrives tosave the day introduce us to some more vampire clichés . . .
and eventually all the skeletons (figuratively, not literally) come tumbling out of the closet, resulting in a most delightful twist on a book about family. Highly recommended to anyone looking for a different kind of vampire story.
I was looking for a scary vampire story. You’re probably thinking, “duh, Salem’s Lot, you idiot!” Well smartypantses, that was my first choice too . . . and then “The Cloud” ate it.
Whoever decided we should put our faith in clouds anyway? They aren’t very stable.
Anywho, since the geniuses at Amazon (all hail Amazon!) couldn’t solve my problem all lickity splitty like I demanded (don’t they know who I am? I have fives of followers who want to know what I’m reading), I decided to pick up another vampire book and prepared to get all scurrrrred with The Radleys.
Jokes on me! This one wasn’t scary at all . . . but it was awesome. The Radleys take all of the redonkulous things there are to complain about when it comes to vampire stories and turns them on their ear. To begin with, the Radley family members are vegetarians . . . .
No, not that kind. You know what I’m talking about. The dreaded vampire vegetarian . . .
No blood, no foul, right? Well, it was up until the Radley teens started pubing out and discovered some of their buddies might actually be “their own personal brand of heroin” . . .
Ahhhh, if only everyone could be as restrained as Edward Cullen and be satisfied to simply stalk the girl of their dreams . . .
Such is not the case with the Radleys, however, and a little accident happens . . . .
Leading the Radley parents to seek some outside help in order to
Well, without the extra face on the back of his head and all that jazz. Thank you, brain!
Wes Bentley? Good right?
Wait, where was I? Oh yeah, making a picturebook.
So anyway, Uncle Will arrives to
and eventually all the skeletons (figuratively, not literally) come tumbling out of the closet, resulting in a most delightful twist on a book about family. Highly recommended to anyone looking for a different kind of vampire story.
May 7, 2018
Matt Haig is turning into my newest favourite author! I especially love that he is English and that one of the major scenes takes place in a cinema in Thirsk. I always like it when I can say "Been there"! I did not meet any vampires though. Not that I know of anyway.
I thought this was a very amusing book with a slightly different take on the vampire life style. I enjoyed our insights into the Radley family and their attempts to live a life without drinking blood. Some of the quotes from The Abstainer's Handbook were hilarious. I was entertained by all of characters as they struggled with all the issues of a normal life made worse by the added problems caused by denying their true being.
A thoroughly enjoyable book which could be read by anyone, not just readers who like the para normal or who are looking for horror. There are vampires, there is blood and a touch of horror but basically it is a book about families and the ties that bind. Very well worth reading.
I thought this was a very amusing book with a slightly different take on the vampire life style. I enjoyed our insights into the Radley family and their attempts to live a life without drinking blood. Some of the quotes from The Abstainer's Handbook were hilarious. I was entertained by all of characters as they struggled with all the issues of a normal life made worse by the added problems caused by denying their true being.
A thoroughly enjoyable book which could be read by anyone, not just readers who like the para normal or who are looking for horror. There are vampires, there is blood and a touch of horror but basically it is a book about families and the ties that bind. Very well worth reading.
November 14, 2023
CUIDADO, VOY A DECIR LA PALABRA MAGICA!🤫
Ya sabes, esa que empieza por V y termina con sangre, mucha sangre...
🌸Es más, si te gusta la leyenda de Drácula, la versión más escalofriante y malvada de estos seres, aquí encontrarás a un personaje que te recordará que no todos los vampiros son románticos, ni buenos ni morales... Es más, verás la muerte de otra forma...🤪
🌸Pero volvamos al principio, al porque tienes que leer esta historia!
1. Capítulos cortos, pero cortos de verdad.
2. Una familia de lo más normal, sino fuera porque son vampiros.
3. Un asesinato.
4. Intriga, sospechas y muchas dudas.
5. Amor del bueno, del no tan bueno y del mejor.
6. Adolescentes en plena efervescencia vampírica.
7. Un tío guapo a rabiar, con muchos secretos
8. Y un mundo fascinante donde no todo es lo que parece y lo que parece no siempre es real.
🌸Y como no, y como colofón final: VAMPIROS, y sed, mucha sed, demasiada sed de sangre...
Ya sabes, esa que empieza por V y termina con sangre, mucha sangre...
🌸Es más, si te gusta la leyenda de Drácula, la versión más escalofriante y malvada de estos seres, aquí encontrarás a un personaje que te recordará que no todos los vampiros son románticos, ni buenos ni morales... Es más, verás la muerte de otra forma...🤪
🌸Pero volvamos al principio, al porque tienes que leer esta historia!
1. Capítulos cortos, pero cortos de verdad.
2. Una familia de lo más normal, sino fuera porque son vampiros.
3. Un asesinato.
4. Intriga, sospechas y muchas dudas.
5. Amor del bueno, del no tan bueno y del mejor.
6. Adolescentes en plena efervescencia vampírica.
7. Un tío guapo a rabiar, con muchos secretos
8. Y un mundo fascinante donde no todo es lo que parece y lo que parece no siempre es real.
🌸Y como no, y como colofón final: VAMPIROS, y sed, mucha sed, demasiada sed de sangre...
March 30, 2021
Wie der Titel des Buches schon vermuten läßt - es geht hier um Familie Radley. Die Radleys sind Vampire. Bis auf Onkel Will leben sie aber alle abstinent, und die beiden Kinder Rowan und Clara wissen noch nicht einmal, daß sie Vampire sind. Das ändert sich aber, als Clara von einem Mitschüler angegriffen wird. Sie muß sich verteidigen und beißt instinktiv zu. Der Junge stirbt. Nun müssen die Radleys die Leiche beseitigen, bevor jemand von der Sache erfährt. Das ist aber erst der Anfang der nun folgenden turbulenten Zeit...
Der Roman liest sich leicht und schnell. Man kann der Handlung mühelos folgen. Für mich war es ein guter Durchschnittsroman; nicht schlecht, aber halt auch nicht überwältigend. Für zwischendurch aber schön zu lesen.
Der Roman liest sich leicht und schnell. Man kann der Handlung mühelos folgen. Für mich war es ein guter Durchschnittsroman; nicht schlecht, aber halt auch nicht überwältigend. Für zwischendurch aber schön zu lesen.
December 19, 2010
The Radleys is not exactly a paranormal romance. Both the back of the book and the introductory letter (in our ARC) by Free Press Senior Editor Amber Qureshi call it a 'domestic drama', or as Amber says, more of an American Beauty than a Twilight. This is an accurate description (I think - I barely remember American Beauty), and exactly the reason I fell in love with The Radleys by the end of the first chapter.
The writing here is solid. It flows, it's quick, light, and - oh God you have no idea how much of a wonderful relief this is - it's intelligent. There's no pandering, no painfully awkward witty exchanges that are trying too hard (and often failing) to be funny. The dialog is natural, and the characters speak the way normal people speak. In England, anyway. I can't emphasize enough how wonderful it is to read a vampire book with a tone that isn't dumbed down or soaked in angst, and doesn't take itself too seriously.
But again, calling The Radleys a "vampire book" isn't fair. The vampirism here is really incidental. Being a vampire - and all the blood, biting, and changing that go with it - really only serve as a stand-in/allegory for everything from alcohol to the suppression of basic aspects of human nature for the sake of conformity. And it's kind of awesome.
It's not perfect, though...
Read more at You're Killing.Us
The writing here is solid. It flows, it's quick, light, and - oh God you have no idea how much of a wonderful relief this is - it's intelligent. There's no pandering, no painfully awkward witty exchanges that are trying too hard (and often failing) to be funny. The dialog is natural, and the characters speak the way normal people speak. In England, anyway. I can't emphasize enough how wonderful it is to read a vampire book with a tone that isn't dumbed down or soaked in angst, and doesn't take itself too seriously.
But again, calling The Radleys a "vampire book" isn't fair. The vampirism here is really incidental. Being a vampire - and all the blood, biting, and changing that go with it - really only serve as a stand-in/allegory for everything from alcohol to the suppression of basic aspects of human nature for the sake of conformity. And it's kind of awesome.
It's not perfect, though...
Read more at You're Killing.Us
May 17, 2013
Let's get one thing straight here, shall we? This isn't a book about vampires.
Okay, yes. It's a book which has vampire characters. I won't dispute that. But the book itself...that's not what it's about. Not the way I see it.
This is, instead, a book about family and relationships and love and how we love the people who hurt us, and hurt the people we love. It's a book about the blurry lines between our intrinsic nature and desires the way that we cope with those things. And it's about how you play the hand you were dealt.
All this is wrapped up in a clever, well-written, sharp voice with just enough hints of gore to keep you a little sick, but not so much that it ever over shadows the relationships in the story.
I'll admit, I found this to be something of an emotional ride. It was just SO. DARN. DEPRESSING...at times. I thought for sure it would end as low as it started. The ending was a real surprise for me, and worth the wait. This book really reminds me why I am an adult who reads young adult fiction.
Okay, yes. It's a book which has vampire characters. I won't dispute that. But the book itself...that's not what it's about. Not the way I see it.
This is, instead, a book about family and relationships and love and how we love the people who hurt us, and hurt the people we love. It's a book about the blurry lines between our intrinsic nature and desires the way that we cope with those things. And it's about how you play the hand you were dealt.
All this is wrapped up in a clever, well-written, sharp voice with just enough hints of gore to keep you a little sick, but not so much that it ever over shadows the relationships in the story.
I'll admit, I found this to be something of an emotional ride. It was just SO. DARN. DEPRESSING...at times. I thought for sure it would end as low as it started. The ending was a real surprise for me, and worth the wait. This book really reminds me why I am an adult who reads young adult fiction.
February 23, 2016
Το βιβλίο Ράντλεϋ δεν είναι ένα συνηθισμένο βιβλίο φαντασίας. Ο Haig εχει βάλει τους ήρωες του, μια οικογένεια βαμπίρ που προσπαθούν να γίνουν οι τέλειοι συνηθισμένοι συμβατικοί άνθρωποι, να ζουν στο τέλειο μικροαστικό περιβάλλον, ή τουλάχιστον να προσπαθούν να ζήσουν. Το ενδιαφέρον φυσικά είναι ότι όταν διάβαζα αυτό το βιβλίο, δεν είδα τους Ράντλεϋ ως βαμπίρ, αντιθέτως τους είδα σαν όλους εμάς…. Και με έπιασε μια μικρή θλίψη. Είναι γεγονός πως ο συγγραφέας δημιούργησε μια σάτιρα, κατά όλων αυτών των ανθρώπων που πάνε κόντρα στις προσωπικές τους επιθυμίες τόσο έντονα που μεταλλάσουν την ίδια την προσωπικότητα τους μέχρι στο τέλος αυτό που μένει να είναι τόσο κοινό και αδιάφορο που τίποτα πια δεν έχει σημασία…Στην αρχή σαν βιβλίο με εκνεύρισε πολύ, διότι τα κεφάλαια είναι πάρα πολύ μικρά, και το κάθε κεφάλαιο απευθύνεται σε διαφορετικό ήρωα, οπότε με το που έμπαινα στον κάθε ήρωα και στη συγκεκριμένη κατάσταση με έκοβε και με πέταγε έξω γιατί τελείωνε το κεφάλαιο κ πηγαίναμε σε άλλο με άλλον ήρωα και άντε πάλι από την αρχή, βέβαια κάποια στιγμή συνήθισα. Συνολικά το βρήκα πρωτότυπο και ενδιαφέρον σαν βιβλίο και ναι μου άρεσε αρκετά.
3,5/5 αστεράκια
3,5/5 αστεράκια
November 17, 2021
4 Bloody Good Stars
The Radley’s are a typical middle class British family with all the issues families face such as addiction, parenthood, bullying, infidelity, moody teens and unfulfilling lives… oh yeah, and they’re vampires.
I’m not a huge fan of vampire stories, but Matt Haig is such a clever, witty and fiercely talented storyteller he can make the much done topic of vampires seem fresh. This is a fast paced, sometimes gory, but very fun book and even if you don’t like vampire stories you may enjoy it too.
The Radley’s are a typical middle class British family with all the issues families face such as addiction, parenthood, bullying, infidelity, moody teens and unfulfilling lives… oh yeah, and they’re vampires.
I’m not a huge fan of vampire stories, but Matt Haig is such a clever, witty and fiercely talented storyteller he can make the much done topic of vampires seem fresh. This is a fast paced, sometimes gory, but very fun book and even if you don’t like vampire stories you may enjoy it too.
October 8, 2021
Mediocre in every way. The writing is barely passable, the characters are paper-thin and only do what the plot requires them to do without ever having any agency, said plot is boring and predictable (it being an ~allegory~ for repression is a desperate effort to make it more interesting that ultimately fails), the ending is ridiculous (I lost it at the "EVERYBODY WAS FLYING" bit in the end), and I hated the pop culture references (EVERY SINGLE POPULAR ARTIST HAS ACTUALLY BEEN A VAMPIRE ALL ALONG!!!!) with a burning passion. Its attempts at humor (a vampire Facebook obviously has to be called "Neckbook") were eyeroll worthy.
Gets 2 stars instead of 1 because it was mildly entertaining at parts and I didn't completely hate it, but I'm never reading this book again. I'll forget all about it in a week tops.
Gets 2 stars instead of 1 because it was mildly entertaining at parts and I didn't completely hate it, but I'm never reading this book again. I'll forget all about it in a week tops.
October 23, 2018
Rating: 3 stars
Plot: 2.5
Characters: 3
Writing style: 3.5
Matt Haig's "The Radleys' - is a story about at first sight ordinary small town family that happen to be abstaining vampires. Their lives are changed forever after one bloody night - 17 years of secrets starts coming out.
It's not your typical book about vampires. I really enjoyed this fresh take on what it would really mean to be one. I wasn't the biggest fan of the plot and characters development though. The beggining of the book was very promising but later on it got choppy and a bit dull.
[LTU]
Įvertinimas: 3 žvaigždutės
Siužetas: 2.5
Veikėjai: 3
Rašymo stilius: 3.5
Matt Haig "Radliai" - tai istorija apie, iš pažiūros niekuo neišsiskiriančią, mažo miestielio šeimą, kurie iš tiesų yra "vegetarai" vampyrai. Jų gyvenimai negrįžtamai pasikeičia vieną "kruviną" naktį - 17 metų saugotos paslaptys pradeda atsiskleisti.
Ši knyga nėra tipinė vampyrų istorija. Patiko kitoks, naujas požiūris į tai, ką reikštų būti vampyru.
Deja, nesužavėjo siužeto ir veikėjų vystymas. Knygos pražia buvo puiki, bet vėliau istorija vietomis tapo nuobodoka, kai kurie skyriai pasirodė visai beprasmiai.
Plot: 2.5
Characters: 3
Writing style: 3.5
Matt Haig's "The Radleys' - is a story about at first sight ordinary small town family that happen to be abstaining vampires. Their lives are changed forever after one bloody night - 17 years of secrets starts coming out.
It's not your typical book about vampires. I really enjoyed this fresh take on what it would really mean to be one. I wasn't the biggest fan of the plot and characters development though. The beggining of the book was very promising but later on it got choppy and a bit dull.
[LTU]
Įvertinimas: 3 žvaigždutės
Siužetas: 2.5
Veikėjai: 3
Rašymo stilius: 3.5
Matt Haig "Radliai" - tai istorija apie, iš pažiūros niekuo neišsiskiriančią, mažo miestielio šeimą, kurie iš tiesų yra "vegetarai" vampyrai. Jų gyvenimai negrįžtamai pasikeičia vieną "kruviną" naktį - 17 metų saugotos paslaptys pradeda atsiskleisti.
Ši knyga nėra tipinė vampyrų istorija. Patiko kitoks, naujas požiūris į tai, ką reikštų būti vampyru.
Deja, nesužavėjo siužeto ir veikėjų vystymas. Knygos pražia buvo puiki, bet vėliau istorija vietomis tapo nuobodoka, kai kurie skyriai pasirodė visai beprasmiai.
June 14, 2011
Excellent little story of family secrets and what happens when a tightly woven lie begins to unravel.
In this story, Peter and Helen Radley have moved out to a pleasant village in the English country-side to raise their children, Rowan and Clara. They wanted to escape their wild life in London and live a quiet, ordinary life with their children and live a peaceful, normal life... Well, as normal a life as you can have, when you are an Abstainer, a "non-practicing" vampire.
Their quiet life takes a decidedly non-quiet turn when teenaged Clara is attacked at party by another teen boy and goes vamp on him and kills him. Her parents are now faced with explaining the family secret to the kids, who had no idea they were vamipres, and finding a way to cover-up this murder.
Lots of fun, good family drama, and a nice resolution. Recommended for folks who like vampire stories but don't want all the Twilight teen drama or vampire paranormal romance.
In this story, Peter and Helen Radley have moved out to a pleasant village in the English country-side to raise their children, Rowan and Clara. They wanted to escape their wild life in London and live a quiet, ordinary life with their children and live a peaceful, normal life... Well, as normal a life as you can have, when you are an Abstainer, a "non-practicing" vampire.
Their quiet life takes a decidedly non-quiet turn when teenaged Clara is attacked at party by another teen boy and goes vamp on him and kills him. Her parents are now faced with explaining the family secret to the kids, who had no idea they were vamipres, and finding a way to cover-up this murder.
Lots of fun, good family drama, and a nice resolution. Recommended for folks who like vampire stories but don't want all the Twilight teen drama or vampire paranormal romance.
May 7, 2019
Περίεργα διαφορετικό βιβλίο!
Η οικογένεια Ράντλευ δεν είναι μια συνηθισμένη οικογένεια αλλά μια οικογένεια βαμπίρ.
Μια οικογένεια που ζει ανάμεσα σε ανθρώπους χωρίς να γίνεται αντιληπτή.Φυσικά αυτό ευθύνεται στο ότι δεν πίνουν αίμα και έτσι ακόμα και τα παιδιά τους δεν γνωρίζουν πραγματικά τι είναι.Θα γίνει όμως ένα περιστατικό και όλα θα φανερωθούν και οι εξελίξεις δεν ήταν αυτές που -εγώ τουλάχιστον- φανταζόμουν!
Σίγουρα δεν είναι ανάγνωσμα για όλους,αλλά πέρασα καλά διαβάζοντας το.Ήξερα ότι δεν είναι απ' τα καλύτερα του συγγραφέα και γι' αυτό αποφάσισα να ξεκινήσω με αυτό.
Ο τρόπος γραφής του μου άρεσε παρόλο που ήταν μικρά τα κεφάλαια και σε κάθε κεφάλαιο άλλαζε ο χαρακτήρας.
Σίγουρα θα ξαναδιαβάσω βιβλίο δικό του και αυτή την φορά ίσως το απολαύσω περισσότερο.
Η οικογένεια Ράντλευ δεν είναι μια συνηθισμένη οικογένεια αλλά μια οικογένεια βαμπίρ.
Μια οικογένεια που ζει ανάμεσα σε ανθρώπους χωρίς να γίνεται αντιληπτή.Φυσικά αυτό ευθύνεται στο ότι δεν πίνουν αίμα και έτσι ακόμα και τα παιδιά τους δεν γνωρίζουν πραγματικά τι είναι.Θα γίνει όμως ένα περιστατικό και όλα θα φανερωθούν και οι εξελίξεις δεν ήταν αυτές που -εγώ τουλάχιστον- φανταζόμουν!
Σίγουρα δεν είναι ανάγνωσμα για όλους,αλλά πέρασα καλά διαβάζοντας το.Ήξερα ότι δεν είναι απ' τα καλύτερα του συγγραφέα και γι' αυτό αποφάσισα να ξεκινήσω με αυτό.
Ο τρόπος γραφής του μου άρεσε παρόλο που ήταν μικρά τα κεφάλαια και σε κάθε κεφάλαιο άλλαζε ο χαρακτήρας.
Σίγουρα θα ξαναδιαβάσω βιβλίο δικό του και αυτή την φορά ίσως το απολαύσω περισσότερο.
August 9, 2012
There is not enough time and too many books to read for me to finish this one. Dull, dull, dull. I haven't too many books that have received the Alex Award for an adult book that's also good for teens, and if this is any indication of what to expect, I doubt I will read anymore.
Here's what you get from The Radleys:
1. Juvenile adults acting like teenagers. It seems that the entirety of Peter and Helen Radley's problems have to do from their loveless marriage. Get a divorce or get some real problems and get back to me.
2. Arbitrary vampire rules. A "real problem" occurs when their daughter, Clara, realizes she's a vampire and eats a boy. That was pretty neat. The horror aspects of the novel were well done, but too few and far between. The vampire mythology was a little lazy, though. Changing classic vampire mythos is fine, as long as there's a reason for it and not just to make a flimsy plot go smoother.
3. Present-tense writing that only serves to emphasize how goddamn boring everything is. Present-tense should be reserved for action, suspense, heightened senses. Not for eating toast and wallowing in middle-class malaise.
4. A terrible paperback cover. Not the author's fault, but seriously, WTF is going on in the paperback cover?
I skimmed from 200 to the end, and it seems like it might have had an interesting development near the very end, but I just didn't care about any of the characters.
Here's what you get from The Radleys:
1. Juvenile adults acting like teenagers. It seems that the entirety of Peter and Helen Radley's problems have to do from their loveless marriage. Get a divorce or get some real problems and get back to me.
2. Arbitrary vampire rules. A "real problem" occurs when their daughter, Clara, realizes she's a vampire and eats a boy. That was pretty neat. The horror aspects of the novel were well done, but too few and far between. The vampire mythology was a little lazy, though. Changing classic vampire mythos is fine, as long as there's a reason for it and not just to make a flimsy plot go smoother.
3. Present-tense writing that only serves to emphasize how goddamn boring everything is. Present-tense should be reserved for action, suspense, heightened senses. Not for eating toast and wallowing in middle-class malaise.
4. A terrible paperback cover. Not the author's fault, but seriously, WTF is going on in the paperback cover?
I skimmed from 200 to the end, and it seems like it might have had an interesting development near the very end, but I just didn't care about any of the characters.
November 3, 2024
I was expecting this to be more like What We Do in the Shadows .Instead, this was a sharp fanged vampire horror. Very entertaining and Matt Haigs best book by miles.
November 21, 2020
The Radleys is an enjoyable comedy about a family of who tried hard to deny and hide their nature, but as their two children coming of age, keeping those kids ignorant is an impossible thing to do and the parents' denial and lies are backing fire...with a bloody, messy result. I enjoy the book, but I don't really like how in the end the blame has been put entirely on the 'evil, selfish vampires' and the supposedly 'good, conforming' vampires get off the hook without much soul-searching or moral dilemma.
Guess what The Radleys reminds me of? It's a B-rated movie called The Hamiltons (2006) LINK︰http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443527/
Some Chinese description on The Hamiltons (wrote by me):《咸美頓一家》是一部很有趣的小品電影。因為正在看《雷德利一族》這本小說，所以又想起這部電影��
話說在某小鎮住了一家人，這一家的父母業已雙亡，只餘下長兄支撐家計，底下有一對放浪形骸的雙胞胎弟妹，以及正在跟已身天性掙扎的三弟，還有一個被關在地下室的神秘么弟。
隨著越來越多鎮民離奇死亡或失踪，矛頭開始指向形跡可疑的咸美頓一家…
結局算是出人意表。
Guess what The Radleys reminds me of? It's a B-rated movie called The Hamiltons (2006) LINK︰http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443527/
Some Chinese description on The Hamiltons (wrote by me):《咸美頓一家》是一部很有趣的小品電影。因為正在看《雷德利一族》這本小說，所以又想起這部電影��
話說在某小鎮住了一家人，這一家的父母業已雙亡，只餘下長兄支撐家計，底下有一對放浪形骸的雙胞胎弟妹，以及正在跟已身天性掙扎的三弟，還有一個被關在地下室的神秘么弟。
隨著越來越多鎮民離奇死亡或失踪，矛頭開始指向形跡可疑的咸美頓一家…
結局算是出人意表。
April 13, 2018
“I can control myself. Look, for God’s sake. Look at everyone. Everyone represses everything. Do you think any of these ‘normal’ human beings really do exactly what they want to do all the time? ‘Course not. It’s just the same. We’re middle-class and we’re British. Repression is in our veins.”
The Radleys is the third adult novel by British author, Matt Haig. Another novel featuring abstaining teenaged vampires? Well, yes, but this is Matt Haig’s creation, set in a North Yorkshire village: a world away from Twilight.
Seventeen years ago, Peter and Helen Radley became abstainers. They now eschew human blood, surviving on animal products, even if it means a reduced life expectancy, continual migraines, depression and low energy levels. With their two teenagers, Rowan and Clara, they try to live a normal, middle-class life in Bishopthorpe.
Despite their efforts to blend in, not everyone around them is convinced. Their next-door neighbours sense something, and Clara’s new friend, Eve Copeland, is recently arrived from Manchester with her ex-CID father who is casting a suspicious eye on the Radleys.
Rowan and Clara are themselves completely unaware, knowing only that something is not quite right: they’ve no energy, get skin rashes from sun exposure, can’t sleep, animals avoid them and the kids at school think they’re weird. Recently, Clara has undertaken to become a vegan, exacerbating the chance of an attack of OBT (Overwhelming Blood Thirst), a condition to which she has no idea she might be prone.
Then circumstances place her in a field on a Friday night with an insistent and very drunk young thug, and the inevitable happens. And when Peter’s older brother Will, a charismatic, practising vampire with an insatiable and indiscriminate bloodlust, turns up to help deal with the family’s crisis, things really get complicated.
In this tale, Haig gives the reader an original plot that showcases his talent for portraying everyday characters facing not-so-everyday situations. He describes the English village life to a T, even if Bishopthorpe only thinks it is: “A place which fools itself into believing it is the epitome of a quaint English village but which, like most places, is really just one large fancy-dress shop, with more subtle costumes.”
The narrative, taking place over four days in May, is from multiple perspectives and is supplemented by quotes from The Abstainer’s Handbook. There’s plenty of dark humour, including the irony of a vampire who would be most people’s nightmare, actually having nightmares himself. Haig’s cops monitoring vampires (the Unnamed Predator Unit) though, are chillingly pragmatic when it comes to vampire kills.
Haig’s characters develop and mature under the pressure of events, and he gives them some insightful observations: “The kind of thrill people get when something devastating happens, a thrill they never admit to, but which dances in their eyes as they talk about how bad they feel.” and “It felt strangely grown-up too, as though that’s what being an adult was – the ability to know which secrets needed keeping. And which lies will save the ones you love.” are examples.
Certain Australian beer drinkers will be delighted to learn that VB (in this case, Vampire Blood) is a revered tipple in vampire society. Another brilliant offering from Matt Haig, this one is intelligent, clever and blackly funny.
The Radleys is the third adult novel by British author, Matt Haig. Another novel featuring abstaining teenaged vampires? Well, yes, but this is Matt Haig’s creation, set in a North Yorkshire village: a world away from Twilight.
Seventeen years ago, Peter and Helen Radley became abstainers. They now eschew human blood, surviving on animal products, even if it means a reduced life expectancy, continual migraines, depression and low energy levels. With their two teenagers, Rowan and Clara, they try to live a normal, middle-class life in Bishopthorpe.
Despite their efforts to blend in, not everyone around them is convinced. Their next-door neighbours sense something, and Clara’s new friend, Eve Copeland, is recently arrived from Manchester with her ex-CID father who is casting a suspicious eye on the Radleys.
Rowan and Clara are themselves completely unaware, knowing only that something is not quite right: they’ve no energy, get skin rashes from sun exposure, can’t sleep, animals avoid them and the kids at school think they’re weird. Recently, Clara has undertaken to become a vegan, exacerbating the chance of an attack of OBT (Overwhelming Blood Thirst), a condition to which she has no idea she might be prone.
Then circumstances place her in a field on a Friday night with an insistent and very drunk young thug, and the inevitable happens. And when Peter’s older brother Will, a charismatic, practising vampire with an insatiable and indiscriminate bloodlust, turns up to help deal with the family’s crisis, things really get complicated.
In this tale, Haig gives the reader an original plot that showcases his talent for portraying everyday characters facing not-so-everyday situations. He describes the English village life to a T, even if Bishopthorpe only thinks it is: “A place which fools itself into believing it is the epitome of a quaint English village but which, like most places, is really just one large fancy-dress shop, with more subtle costumes.”
The narrative, taking place over four days in May, is from multiple perspectives and is supplemented by quotes from The Abstainer’s Handbook. There’s plenty of dark humour, including the irony of a vampire who would be most people’s nightmare, actually having nightmares himself. Haig’s cops monitoring vampires (the Unnamed Predator Unit) though, are chillingly pragmatic when it comes to vampire kills.
Haig’s characters develop and mature under the pressure of events, and he gives them some insightful observations: “The kind of thrill people get when something devastating happens, a thrill they never admit to, but which dances in their eyes as they talk about how bad they feel.” and “It felt strangely grown-up too, as though that’s what being an adult was – the ability to know which secrets needed keeping. And which lies will save the ones you love.” are examples.
Certain Australian beer drinkers will be delighted to learn that VB (in this case, Vampire Blood) is a revered tipple in vampire society. Another brilliant offering from Matt Haig, this one is intelligent, clever and blackly funny.
January 3, 2015
You've got your suffocating suburbs with white picket fences and book clubs, and you've got your average blood-sucking family. Boom. (bnr. More of a worrying sizzle with a smell of burning flesh.)
Nice exploration of the issue (you can clearly see the issue, can't you?), but I could have done with some more in depth character development wrt the kids (who, as always, become overdramatic, simple-minded cardboard slabs when in the hands of a non-YA literary fiction writer) and Peter and less dillydallying on Helen's part (I have a hard time with middle-aged female characters unless they are badass bitches who shoot and high-kick people in the face, okay?), but that would have inevitably turned this into a 600-page tome, and not everyone is into that. (I am.)
Still a fun, engaging and sharply written novel to pass a couple days with. It won't take more, because it begs to be gobbled up quickly. I'm not a beach reader because I'm not a beach person, but I think this would make for a great beach read.
(I'm into parentheses today.)
Nice exploration of the issue (you can clearly see the issue, can't you?), but I could have done with some more in depth character development wrt the kids (who, as always, become overdramatic, simple-minded cardboard slabs when in the hands of a non-YA literary fiction writer) and Peter and less dillydallying on Helen's part (I have a hard time with middle-aged female characters unless they are badass bitches who shoot and high-kick people in the face, okay?), but that would have inevitably turned this into a 600-page tome, and not everyone is into that. (I am.)
Still a fun, engaging and sharply written novel to pass a couple days with. It won't take more, because it begs to be gobbled up quickly. I'm not a beach reader because I'm not a beach person, but I think this would make for a great beach read.
(I'm into parentheses today.)
September 27, 2010
Yes, it's true. It IS another vampire book. But with some interesting new ideas about "abstaining" vampires (they don't drink blood anymore--just eat a whole lot of rare meat) and mixing in with society that keep it fun and fresh and the pages flying by. It's a British novel, so there are some interesting quirks there, as well. The basic premise is that two abstaining vampires--one a born vampire, one converted--have become your basic suburban couple with two teenagers--two vampire teenagers who have no idea they are vampires. Their pale skin and sunlight issues have been variously explained away to them. Until one night at a party when a boy tries to attack Clara, and she ends up pretty much eating him. Then the blood really hits the fan and 17 years of secrets start coming out. I found it quite entertaining, with bits of mystery, love story, and action/horror. But NC17 I'd say--not for Twilight teeny-boppers.
August 16, 2020
This vampire novel about suburban repression has a big, bloody heart. It didn't quite strike me as profound as Haig's The Humans, but it still managed to shine the same kind of light on the darker side of middle class complacency. This seemed like a fresh take on a classic horror monster. Very cool
February 11, 2024
La verdad es que no sabía qué esperar, sobre todo considerando el único otro libro que leí del autor. Incluso después de los primeros capítulos en los que creí entender de qué iba, me entregó algo por completo diferente.
Los Radley son una típica familia de clase media, con los típicos problemas que tienen todos. Salvo por un detalle, los padres son vampiros abstemios y los hijos ni siquiera saben lo que son. Por eso, cuando uno de ellos cometa un fatídico error tendrán que replantearse todo lo que son y pedir la ayuda del único vampiro que podría sacarlos de los problemas: el tío Will.
Al inicio, pensé que el libro sería algo como una parodia llena de humor negro sobre una familia de vampiros que pretendían ser humanos y los problemas que tenían debido a esto. Y sí que lo fue, en parte. Sin embargo, no tardó en convertirse en algo más complejo sobre las relaciones humanas. Creo que eso fue lo que más me sorprendió, lo humano que fue el libro, su foco era la humanidad, las relaciones, lo que significa vivir la vida y los sacrificios que estamos dispuestos a hacer. Por ese motivo, difícilmente clasificaría este libro como fantasía o paranormal, porque el que fueran vampiros era solo la excusa para provocar ciertas situaciones y reflexiones sobre la vida y la moralidad.
Creo que el hilo más interesante lo tenían los padres y, tengo que confesar, en un momento me puso incómoda esta posible infidelidad por ambas partes. Yo solo soy una chica como el resto que perdona muchas cosas, menos esa. Al final, Helen y Peter eran el clásico matrimonio que después de 17 años de relación sentían que se habían perdido a sí mismos y ahora solo seguían por la pura costumbre. Eso llevó a Peter a considerar una posible infidelidad (y beber sangre humana) solo por la emoción, mientras que Helen cargaba con la culpa por algo ocurrido años atrás y que ahora regresaba con Will a perseguirla. A pesar de que creo que todos tenían culpa y algo de razón, me chocó bastante la actitud de Helen de ser tan terca. Peter sí que estuvo a punto de cometer muchos errores, pero todo esto fue después de que ella misma se negara a hablar las cosas, a discutir sus problemas y buscar una forma de solucionarlos. Me gustó que él sí que estuviera dispuesto a comunicarse, pero Helen fuera la que resultara un muro.
Entiendo el caso de Helen, porque para el final quedó muy en claro el poder que Will ejercía sobre ella y los motivos detrás. De hecho, hasta antes de que se confirmara todo eso, fue esta relación la que me ponía incómoda porque en parte podía entender que Helen se arrepintiera de las cosas a las que renunció para tener su vida de humana promedio. Fuera de eso, en su mayoría me gustó cómo se desarrolló y entiendo el motivo por el que Peter no necesitaba saber más, pero creo que Helen sí que necesitaba decirlo.
Por último, Will era el clásico machito que creía haber descubierto qué era la verdadera vida, pero cuando vio a su hermano feliz, quiso quitarle esa felicidad. Al principio, sentí que solo era un vampiro criado como vampiro siendo un vampiro, a diferencia de Peter, pero luego se mostró lo egoísta y cruel que era, lo manipulador y que, al final, solo le importaba lo que él mismo quería. Peter y Will eran hermanos criados de igual forma, sin embargo, al final demostraron que había algo intrínseco dentro de ellos que los hacía por completo diferentes, algo que no tenía que ver con la especie ni la crianza.
Sobre toda la trama de los hijos, fue la parte que menos me interesó, lo confieso. Rowan era el chico perdedor del instituto que escribía poemas y estaba enamorado de la mejor amiga de su hermana, que luego descubrió que podía ser mucho más. Por otro lado, Clara descubrió sus poderes como vampiro, lo bien que se sentía y lo libre que podría llegar a ser. De verdad creo que si el libro se hubiera centrado solo en ellos, no me hubiese resultado tan interesante.
En ese sentido, el hilo más interesante fue el de Eve, la mejor amiga de Clara. Me gustó todo el desarrollo con su papá y la desaparición de la madre, igual que la manera en que empezó a ver a Rowan de otra forma. Creo que esa relación me gustó más por lo que significaba para ella que por esta mini obsesión que Rowan tenía con Eve.
Todo el gatillante de la historia fue una muerte que ocurrió, así que en la historia terminó involucrada la policía y para el final hubo toda una escena de acción. Me gustó, estuvo interesante, sobre todo porque fue la primera vez en que como familia pelearon juntos, dejaron atrás los secretos y culpas para defender lo que tenían y eso me gustó.
Como dije al inicio, para mí fue un libro sobre las relaciones humanas, sobre esos pequeños momentos de tedio que se van acumulando, esas omisiones que se transforman en mentiras y en cómo a veces creemos que los demás nos tienen atrapados, cuando en realidad ellos también se sienten así. Básicamente, una oda a la importancia de la comunicación y a entender que quienes nos quieran en sus vidas, harán lo posible para que sigamos en ellas sin importar lo demás.
Los Radley es una novela sobre vampiros, pero que al final habló sobre personajes reales, con defectos, debilidades y miedos muy humanos. Una historia más realista de lo que se podría esperar y que realizó un análisis interesante a las relaciones humanas y nuestro deseo de vivir.
Los Radley son una típica familia de clase media, con los típicos problemas que tienen todos. Salvo por un detalle, los padres son vampiros abstemios y los hijos ni siquiera saben lo que son. Por eso, cuando uno de ellos cometa un fatídico error tendrán que replantearse todo lo que son y pedir la ayuda del único vampiro que podría sacarlos de los problemas: el tío Will.
"Si vives aquí durante suficiente tiempo, al final debes tomar una decisión: compras un disfraz y finges que te gusta o te enfrentas a la verdad de quién eres en realidad".
Al inicio, pensé que el libro sería algo como una parodia llena de humor negro sobre una familia de vampiros que pretendían ser humanos y los problemas que tenían debido a esto. Y sí que lo fue, en parte. Sin embargo, no tardó en convertirse en algo más complejo sobre las relaciones humanas. Creo que eso fue lo que más me sorprendió, lo humano que fue el libro, su foco era la humanidad, las relaciones, lo que significa vivir la vida y los sacrificios que estamos dispuestos a hacer. Por ese motivo, difícilmente clasificaría este libro como fantasía o paranormal, porque el que fueran vampiros era solo la excusa para provocar ciertas situaciones y reflexiones sobre la vida y la moralidad.
Creo que el hilo más interesante lo tenían los padres y, tengo que confesar, en un momento me puso incómoda esta posible infidelidad por ambas partes. Yo solo soy una chica como el resto que perdona muchas cosas, menos esa. Al final, Helen y Peter eran el clásico matrimonio que después de 17 años de relación sentían que se habían perdido a sí mismos y ahora solo seguían por la pura costumbre. Eso llevó a Peter a considerar una posible infidelidad (y beber sangre humana) solo por la emoción, mientras que Helen cargaba con la culpa por algo ocurrido años atrás y que ahora regresaba con Will a perseguirla. A pesar de que creo que todos tenían culpa y algo de razón, me chocó bastante la actitud de Helen de ser tan terca. Peter sí que estuvo a punto de cometer muchos errores, pero todo esto fue después de que ella misma se negara a hablar las cosas, a discutir sus problemas y buscar una forma de solucionarlos. Me gustó que él sí que estuviera dispuesto a comunicarse, pero Helen fuera la que resultara un muro.
"Es duro ser diferente. A la gente le da miedo. Pero no es nada que no pueda superarse".
Entiendo el caso de Helen, porque para el final quedó muy en claro el poder que Will ejercía sobre ella y los motivos detrás. De hecho, hasta antes de que se confirmara todo eso, fue esta relación la que me ponía incómoda porque en parte podía entender que Helen se arrepintiera de las cosas a las que renunció para tener su vida de humana promedio. Fuera de eso, en su mayoría me gustó cómo se desarrolló y entiendo el motivo por el que Peter no necesitaba saber más, pero creo que Helen sí que necesitaba decirlo.
Por último, Will era el clásico machito que creía haber descubierto qué era la verdadera vida, pero cuando vio a su hermano feliz, quiso quitarle esa felicidad. Al principio, sentí que solo era un vampiro criado como vampiro siendo un vampiro, a diferencia de Peter, pero luego se mostró lo egoísta y cruel que era, lo manipulador y que, al final, solo le importaba lo que él mismo quería. Peter y Will eran hermanos criados de igual forma, sin embargo, al final demostraron que había algo intrínseco dentro de ellos que los hacía por completo diferentes, algo que no tenía que ver con la especie ni la crianza.
"Sin lugar a duda, la realidad nos dice que las conexiones entre la gente no son permanentes, sino que fugaces y aleatorias, como un eclipse solar o unas nubeas que se encuentran en el cielo. Existen en un universo que está en constante movimiento lleno de objetos que no para de desplazarse".
Sobre toda la trama de los hijos, fue la parte que menos me interesó, lo confieso. Rowan era el chico perdedor del instituto que escribía poemas y estaba enamorado de la mejor amiga de su hermana, que luego descubrió que podía ser mucho más. Por otro lado, Clara descubrió sus poderes como vampiro, lo bien que se sentía y lo libre que podría llegar a ser. De verdad creo que si el libro se hubiera centrado solo en ellos, no me hubiese resultado tan interesante.
En ese sentido, el hilo más interesante fue el de Eve, la mejor amiga de Clara. Me gustó todo el desarrollo con su papá y la desaparición de la madre, igual que la manera en que empezó a ver a Rowan de otra forma. Creo que esa relación me gustó más por lo que significaba para ella que por esta mini obsesión que Rowan tenía con Eve.
"También se sintió, por extraño que parezca, como un adulto, como si en eso consistiera serlo: en la capacidad para saber qué secretos no se deben revelar.
Y qué mentiras te permitirán salvar a tus seres queridos".
Todo el gatillante de la historia fue una muerte que ocurrió, así que en la historia terminó involucrada la policía y para el final hubo toda una escena de acción. Me gustó, estuvo interesante, sobre todo porque fue la primera vez en que como familia pelearon juntos, dejaron atrás los secretos y culpas para defender lo que tenían y eso me gustó.
Como dije al inicio, para mí fue un libro sobre las relaciones humanas, sobre esos pequeños momentos de tedio que se van acumulando, esas omisiones que se transforman en mentiras y en cómo a veces creemos que los demás nos tienen atrapados, cuando en realidad ellos también se sienten así. Básicamente, una oda a la importancia de la comunicación y a entender que quienes nos quieran en sus vidas, harán lo posible para que sigamos en ellas sin importar lo demás.
Los Radley es una novela sobre vampiros, pero que al final habló sobre personajes reales, con defectos, debilidades y miedos muy humanos. Una historia más realista de lo que se podría esperar y que realizó un análisis interesante a las relaciones humanas y nuestro deseo de vivir.
December 17, 2023
Reseña: https://fiebrelectora.blogspot.com/20...
Los Radley solo quieren ser normales y corrientes, un matrimonio más con sus problemas,hijos adolescentes con crisis de identidad y un tío insensato. Corrientes y molientes... si no fuera porque son vampiros. Practican la abstinencia desde hace años, y sus hijos ni siquiera saben lo que son, pero cuando ataquen a Clara, la hija adolescente, su verdadera naturaleza sale a la luz a la hora de defenderse, y tanto ella como su hermano descubrirán al fin qué les pasaba realmente. Todo coincidirá, además con la visita de su mortalmente despreocupado tío Will, y con la policía cada vez más recelosa porque hay un cadáver del que ocuparse.
Una historia de vampiros muy peculiar, divertida a la par que algo sangrienta, la verdad, se me ha hecho muy original, así que desde luego que viene fenomenal para alternar con otros géneros, pero también para pegarse una panzada durante la época de novelas paranormales y góticas, por lo diferente que resulta, y lo refrescante que es.
Reconozco que lo que más me ha gustado ha sido la primera mitad: presentación de esta peculiar familia Adams tan peculiar, llena de secretos, y con los hijos que desconocen por completo "su dolencia", más allá de que no pueden comportarse con normalidad como sus compañeros. Ha sido muy divertido, y también el shock que sufren al descubrir todo, así como las relaciones que se establecen con vecinos, policía... La forma en que está estructurado el mundo vampírico en esta historia me ha sorprendido mucho.
Los Radley solo quieren ser normales y corrientes, un matrimonio más con sus problemas,hijos adolescentes con crisis de identidad y un tío insensato. Corrientes y molientes... si no fuera porque son vampiros. Practican la abstinencia desde hace años, y sus hijos ni siquiera saben lo que son, pero cuando ataquen a Clara, la hija adolescente, su verdadera naturaleza sale a la luz a la hora de defenderse, y tanto ella como su hermano descubrirán al fin qué les pasaba realmente. Todo coincidirá, además con la visita de su mortalmente despreocupado tío Will, y con la policía cada vez más recelosa porque hay un cadáver del que ocuparse.
Una historia de vampiros muy peculiar, divertida a la par que algo sangrienta, la verdad, se me ha hecho muy original, así que desde luego que viene fenomenal para alternar con otros géneros, pero también para pegarse una panzada durante la época de novelas paranormales y góticas, por lo diferente que resulta, y lo refrescante que es.
Reconozco que lo que más me ha gustado ha sido la primera mitad: presentación de esta peculiar familia Adams tan peculiar, llena de secretos, y con los hijos que desconocen por completo "su dolencia", más allá de que no pueden comportarse con normalidad como sus compañeros. Ha sido muy divertido, y también el shock que sufren al descubrir todo, así como las relaciones que se establecen con vecinos, policía... La forma en que está estructurado el mundo vampírico en esta historia me ha sorprendido mucho.
September 19, 2011
"Twilight" eat your heart out : )
In this immensely satisfying read Matt Haig presents us with the Radleys- a typical middle class English family that just happens to want to drink your blood. But like good Britons they are fighting against their baser instincts and leading an upstanding existence in a quaint country town. Having recently read Ian McEwan's "On Chesil Beach" the portrait of the, yet again, typically repressed Brits was especially on point.
But more than poking fun at the English stiff upper lip it was nice to see a vamipre story with some actual blood in it's veins- one that gets down to the nitty gritty of what it would mean to actually be a vampire with out romanticizing it *too* much.
Ultimately, "The Radleys" was able to take this well-worn genre and have an entirely fresh take on it. It calls to mind something like what "The Sopranos" did for Mafia films or even a touch of "Shawn of the Dead"
So of course the next question is, sequel Mr. Haig?
note: this book was a Goodreads First Read
http://sometimesjenniferreads.wordpre...
In this immensely satisfying read Matt Haig presents us with the Radleys- a typical middle class English family that just happens to want to drink your blood. But like good Britons they are fighting against their baser instincts and leading an upstanding existence in a quaint country town. Having recently read Ian McEwan's "On Chesil Beach" the portrait of the, yet again, typically repressed Brits was especially on point.
But more than poking fun at the English stiff upper lip it was nice to see a vamipre story with some actual blood in it's veins- one that gets down to the nitty gritty of what it would mean to actually be a vampire with out romanticizing it *too* much.
Ultimately, "The Radleys" was able to take this well-worn genre and have an entirely fresh take on it. It calls to mind something like what "The Sopranos" did for Mafia films or even a touch of "Shawn of the Dead"
So of course the next question is, sequel Mr. Haig?
note: this book was a Goodreads First Read
http://sometimesjenniferreads.wordpre...
May 5, 2021
Another vampire book that I actually like. The Radleys is not an action-packed vampire story. It's more of a tale of change, love, family and acceptance. It isn't what I had expected but I am good with what I got.
As a preview, The Radleys is about the abstaining vampires i.e. The Radleys obviously, whose one member of their family (Clara) has caught up in a murder.
The story evolves there: the siblings, (Clara and Rowan) learning the truth about themselves; Helen, their mother, doing her best as a parent to protect her child, as the story uncovers the rich past/history of the vampires, especially, between Helen, Will and Peter.
It's engaging to say the least as I waltzed with every bite-size chapter, eager to know more about the Radleys and being anxious of what happens next to the characters-- what will change after the incident, what won't, and every thing in between. The Radleys is satisfying, delivering what it needs to deliver to its reader.
I can say the book entertain me a lot. From character development and rich back story, it was really great and worth of my time.
As a preview, The Radleys is about the abstaining vampires i.e. The Radleys obviously, whose one member of their family (Clara) has caught up in a murder.
The story evolves there: the siblings, (Clara and Rowan) learning the truth about themselves; Helen, their mother, doing her best as a parent to protect her child, as the story uncovers the rich past/history of the vampires, especially, between Helen, Will and Peter.
It's engaging to say the least as I waltzed with every bite-size chapter, eager to know more about the Radleys and being anxious of what happens next to the characters-- what will change after the incident, what won't, and every thing in between. The Radleys is satisfying, delivering what it needs to deliver to its reader.
I can say the book entertain me a lot. From character development and rich back story, it was really great and worth of my time.
September 9, 2025
3,5🌟 *
Surprinzătoare această carte! Deși toate semnele au fost acolo, eu nu mi-am dat seama decât după ce am început-o despre ce va fi vorba. Amuzant este ca nu eu am adus cartea la mine în bibliotecă, deși mie pare că mi-a făcut cu ochiul până acum.
O familie aparent banală dintr-un orășel britanic are parte de drama vieții, când fiica lui Helen și a lui Peter este atacată, iar fata ripostează. În urma acestui incident, cortina cade, măștile sunt la pământ, iar familia lor este zdruncinată de minciunile si secretele păstrate atâta timp. Nici apariția lui Will, fratele lui Peter, chiar dacă a venit la cererea fratelui, nu ușurează viața celor de la numărul 17.
Matt Haig are un stil propriu de a scrie poveștile și o imaginație bogată. Nu la asta m-am așteptat când m-am apucat de carte și a fost impresionant că mi-a plăcut. N-a fost uau, pe ici, pe colo mai puteau fi ajustate lucrurile, dar, per total, o experiență plăcută.
Surprinzătoare această carte! Deși toate semnele au fost acolo, eu nu mi-am dat seama decât după ce am început-o despre ce va fi vorba. Amuzant este ca nu eu am adus cartea la mine în bibliotecă, deși mie pare că mi-a făcut cu ochiul până acum.
O familie aparent banală dintr-un orășel britanic are parte de drama vieții, când fiica lui Helen și a lui Peter este atacată, iar fata ripostează. În urma acestui incident, cortina cade, măștile sunt la pământ, iar familia lor este zdruncinată de minciunile si secretele păstrate atâta timp. Nici apariția lui Will, fratele lui Peter, chiar dacă a venit la cererea fratelui, nu ușurează viața celor de la numărul 17.
Matt Haig are un stil propriu de a scrie poveștile și o imaginație bogată. Nu la asta m-am așteptat când m-am apucat de carte și a fost impresionant că mi-a plăcut. N-a fost uau, pe ici, pe colo mai puteau fi ajustate lucrurile, dar, per total, o experiență plăcută.
March 17, 2011
I thought I was tired of the vampire genre, but obviously not, not if the subject is treated as interestingly as in Matt Haig's The Radleys.
The Radleys is about a well-off suburban family living in England whose Bible is the Abstainer's Handbook. Helen and Peter have chosen to eschew blood so that they can live as a "normal" family. Their children, Clara and Rowan, are pale, anemic, and prone to skin irritations. They have no idea they're part of a vampire clan, until Clara is attacked one night by a lout from her high school. When she fights back and gets a taste of blood, she learns what she is. A nice vampire tale.
The Radleys is about a well-off suburban family living in England whose Bible is the Abstainer's Handbook. Helen and Peter have chosen to eschew blood so that they can live as a "normal" family. Their children, Clara and Rowan, are pale, anemic, and prone to skin irritations. They have no idea they're part of a vampire clan, until Clara is attacked one night by a lout from her high school. When she fights back and gets a taste of blood, she learns what she is. A nice vampire tale.
April 25, 2021
Αυτό το βιβλίο το πήρα παρορμητικά, μόνο και μόνο γιατί ο συγγραφέας του είναι ο Matt Haig , id est δεν είχα ιδέα για το story line μέχρι που έφτασα σπίτι - ναι, ήταν σε προσφορά, ήθελα να το προλάβω, πού και πού κρίνω βιβλία και από το εξώφυλλο, ο Matt Haig είναι comfort food για το μυαλό μου... 😜 Σε κάθε περίπτωση δεν το μετάνιωσα!
Η υπόθεση τώρα. Οι Ράντλεϋ είναι μια μεσοαστική οικογένεια που προσπαθεί να μη διαφέρει σε τίποτα από το μέσο όρο. Ζωή σε αγγλικό χωριό, σπίτι με κήπο, οικογενειακό αυτοκίνητο, ο μπαμπάς γιατρός η μαμά νοικοκυρά, δύο παιδιά, ένα αγόρι κι ένα κορίτσι. Δείπνα με γείτονες, λέσχη βιβλίου. Όσο και να προσπαθούν όμως, δεν τα καταφέρνουν ιδιαίτερα καλά γιατί οι Ράντλεϋ είναι εδώ και πολλές γενιές... βρυκόλακες. Εγκρατείς, που προσπαθούν να χορτάσουν την πείνα τους με κρεατοφαγία και δε μιλάνε στα παιδιά για την πραγματική φύση τους μήπως καταφέρουν να ενταχθούν καλύτερα απέχοντας από το αίμα όλη τη ζωή τους (η κόρη μάλιστα προσπαθεί να γίνει χορτοφάγος - δεν πάει πολύ καλά αυτό.)
Ο Matt Haig κάνει τη διαφορά για μια ακόμη φορά. Διαβάστε το αν θέλετε μια διασκεδαστική ιστορία με βρυκόλακες αλλά δεν είναι μόνο αυτό. Ο συγγραφέας κάνει μια κοινωνιολογική ανάλυση για το πέρασμα από την εφηβεία στην ενηλικίωση, για τη μονοτονία στο γάμο, για το πόσα τελικά μπορείς θα θυσιάσεις από τον εαυτό σου για να ενταχθείς στην κοινωνία, να γίνεις αποδεκτός, να ζήσεις μια κανονική ζωή.
Γιατί τα κανονικά παιδιά
γεννιούνται κανονικά,
μεγαλώνουν κανονικά,
ονειρεύονται κανονικά,
ερωτεύονται κανονικά
και πεθαίνουν κανονικά..
Η υπόθεση τώρα. Οι Ράντλεϋ είναι μια μεσοαστική οικογένεια που προσπαθεί να μη διαφέρει σε τίποτα από το μέσο όρο. Ζωή σε αγγλικό χωριό, σπίτι με κήπο, οικογενειακό αυτοκίνητο, ο μπαμπάς γιατρός η μαμά νοικοκυρά, δύο παιδιά, ένα αγόρι κι ένα κορίτσι. Δείπνα με γείτονες, λέσχη βιβλίου. Όσο και να προσπαθούν όμως, δεν τα καταφέρνουν ιδιαίτερα καλά γιατί οι Ράντλεϋ είναι εδώ και πολλές γενιές... βρυκόλακες. Εγκρατείς, που προσπαθούν να χορτάσουν την πείνα τους με κρεατοφαγία και δε μιλάνε στα παιδιά για την πραγματική φύση τους μήπως καταφέρουν να ενταχθούν καλύτερα απέχοντας από το αίμα όλη τη ζωή τους (η κόρη μάλιστα προσπαθεί να γίνει χορτοφάγος - δεν πάει πολύ καλά αυτό.)
Ο Matt Haig κάνει τη διαφορά για μια ακόμη φορά. Διαβάστε το αν θέλετε μια διασκεδαστική ιστορία με βρυκόλακες αλλά δεν είναι μόνο αυτό. Ο συγγραφέας κάνει μια κοινωνιολογική ανάλυση για το πέρασμα από την εφηβεία στην ενηλικίωση, για τη μονοτονία στο γάμο, για το πόσα τελικά μπορείς θα θυσιάσεις από τον εαυτό σου για να ενταχθείς στην κοινωνία, να γίνεις αποδεκτός, να ζήσεις μια κανονική ζωή.
Γιατί τα κανονικά παιδιά
γεννιούνται κανονικά,
μεγαλώνουν κανονικά,
ονειρεύονται κανονικά,
ερωτεύονται κανονικά
και πεθαίνουν κανονικά..
March 18, 2021
The Radleys is a different look at the young adult Vampire situation that today’s literature has going on. The Radleys are a mundane young couple with 2 teenage children living in a cute exceptionally boring village.
Helen Radley is the mum, she seems to only tolerate her husband, has a bit more patience for the children and little to no interest in the emotional sanity of her family. To be honest Helen seems a bit distracted.
Peter Radley, the Dad and Doctor. He is sharp and useless and comes across as possibly the meekest character in the book or ever. That's right he is a scared red panda or the human form of it.
The children Clara and Rowan I found endearing and interesting, every ailment -they have it, they are never comfortable in their own skin and are exhausted everyday of their young lives, but they persevere and love each other. So when it comes out that Helen and Peter are vampires and have been living a life of abstinence (no blood at all) since they found out they were to become parents. Suddenly all the children’s hellish health issues make sense. They believed drinking blood was wrong and they made their children suffer for it.
This instantly causes me to hate the parents which I am not sure if that was the authors intention here.
I guess the neighbors should be happy I mean none of them have gone missing.Right?
Until one does and this is where the story gets good, a bit of gore and tension and then in a panic Peter calls his mysterious older brother Will to fix a sticky situation, Will is kind of a badass vampire. He has to be extremely good looking because he scores a lot of hot chicks… in a camper van.
I mean I would think twice if like Chris Hemsworth
pulled up in a caravan
and said “lets get out of here” I mean I would still go but there would be some hesitation.
So Will is a very strong vampire who does not get the abstaining nonsense and encourages the children to be true to themselves and they are the better for it. So I immediately like him he is improving the childen's way of life and they are actually happy and not in pain for the first time in their lives. So he is the hero! Nope, he is still the villain. But I’ll not lie I like em bad.
Helen Radley is the mum, she seems to only tolerate her husband, has a bit more patience for the children and little to no interest in the emotional sanity of her family. To be honest Helen seems a bit distracted.
Peter Radley, the Dad and Doctor. He is sharp and useless and comes across as possibly the meekest character in the book or ever. That's right he is a scared red panda or the human form of it.
The children Clara and Rowan I found endearing and interesting, every ailment -they have it, they are never comfortable in their own skin and are exhausted everyday of their young lives, but they persevere and love each other. So when it comes out that Helen and Peter are vampires and have been living a life of abstinence (no blood at all) since they found out they were to become parents. Suddenly all the children’s hellish health issues make sense. They believed drinking blood was wrong and they made their children suffer for it.
This instantly causes me to hate the parents which I am not sure if that was the authors intention here.
I guess the neighbors should be happy I mean none of them have gone missing.Right?
Until one does and this is where the story gets good, a bit of gore and tension and then in a panic Peter calls his mysterious older brother Will to fix a sticky situation, Will is kind of a badass vampire. He has to be extremely good looking because he scores a lot of hot chicks… in a camper van.
I mean I would think twice if like Chris Hemsworth
pulled up in a caravan
and said “lets get out of here” I mean I would still go but there would be some hesitation.
So Will is a very strong vampire who does not get the abstaining nonsense and encourages the children to be true to themselves and they are the better for it. So I immediately like him he is improving the childen's way of life and they are actually happy and not in pain for the first time in their lives. So he is the hero! Nope, he is still the villain. But I’ll not lie I like em bad.
February 28, 2023
Not for me. The writing is fine, just not vibing with it. I don't jive with the humor, and I get bored every 2 pages or so.
Such a bummer because I bought it.
Such a bummer because I bought it.
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