In early August I spent a few days in Cornwall with my family & close friends, and whilst there, finished up reading ‘Yesteryear’ faster than anticipated.
This left me without a book for 2 whole days – which isn’t a position I am at all comfortable in. It lead me to seeking out a bookstore in Newquay, a town close to where we were staying. I found Clemo’s Books – a beautiful quaint independent bookstore – the type you may picture on a British high-street, but so often can’t find these days. I bought a few books. The one I was most drawn to from the blurb was ‘Wreck’ by Catherine Newman.
At this moment, I had not even one thought of starting a Book Club (true: I had thought about starting one last yr but…but…I am referring to in this moment).
I read another short book I had picked up, got back from Cornwall.
The next day, freshly back at home (not so fresh on the sleep front) I started The Downward Spine. Leaning into my gut as I always do, I knew I would start TDS Book Club with a somewhat ‘not-too-much-happens’, intimate, character filled novel. I hadn’t realised at the time that ‘Wreck’ is part of a mini series by Catherine Newman, which – if I had – maybe I wouldn’t have started with this, however – imo it does still work well as a stand alone novel. It also did feel somehow serendipitous to have bought this fitting book whilst in that lovely store, with no plans for TDS.
This turned out to be a very enjoyable read.
With more humour than I anticipated, I had numerous laugh-out-loud moments – most of which were when I was reading in bed, to the delight & startle of my husband (13 years in, I still find it weird using the word ‘husband’ – anyone else??)
I found a level of familiarity with the main character, Rocky/Rachel. I had moments agreeing with her wholeheartedly and could easily picture conversations with her. She has wit, humour – and the family interactions feel immensely cosy & intimate. Almost as if you are a fly on the wall at times, delighting in being in their auras. It feels personal & cosy – with this in mind, I imagine it would make for a great autumn/fall read, in the way I feel of Elizabeth Strout’s novels.
At points (to me) the characters felt somewhat too perfect in their imperfections (if that makes any sense at all)…I particularly felt this of Willa.
Regardless of this, each character had relatability, connection & a deepness that made them feel ‘real’.
In not wishing to give anything away in case you’re reading it, I will just leave my thoughts on the book by stating – I loved the ending.
If you are reading ‘Wreck’ or have finished reading it: what did you think? Did you enjoy it? How did you feel about the characters, story, ending? Would be great to hear your opinions & start some chats in the comments here.
Next up for TDS Book Club: Cherry Baby by Rainbow Rosewell
It’s the first book I’ve enjoyed enough to actually finish in a long time. I agree with your point about the characters being almost “too perfect in their imperfections,” but all in all, the story was pretty lighthearted and left me with that warm, satisfied feeling you want from this kind of book. It wasn’t particularly deep or unpredictable, but it was charming, easy to get into, and genuinely enjoyable. Sometimes that’s exactly what you need from a book.
So stoked to hear it was an enjoyable read for you, especially when it’s been harder to find books u wish to finish. Agree – a book doesn’t need to always be life changing.
I finished “Wrecked” last night and thoroughly enjoyed it. I too had laugh out loud at moments! I really connected with Rachel/Rocky in the way she talked about her love for her children and family. Her relationship with her dad was lovely and made me laugh at times and cry at others. I didn’t realise it was part of a series of books, I shall definitely read the others.
As a middle aged Mama of three grown up flat pack kids (I didn’t manufacture them, but finished their build and welcomed them into my life), with my elderly Mama, living in our annex… oh and my own complex liver disease, there was more than one moment when I turned the pages of this book and felt myself begin to say out loud “what in the actual f…?” So not altogether surprisingly this story made me feel very seen. It was a comfortable, easy read, which I trawled through at any given opportunity… In fact, I bribed myself with three… Read more »
I’ve been calling it Wrecked as well, so we can be wrong together 🤦🏼♀️ I listened on audio while driving to a little mountain town after losing a friend who changed the course of my life, and I cried far more than I expected to. The narrator gave every character a separate, breathing voice — as an actor I was in genuine awe of that. And the rash made me think of Louise Hay who says babies break out bc they need someone to care and tend to them. I so related to a grown woman’s need to be cared… Read more »
I finished Wreck a couple of days ago, and I liked it! I’ve been stuck in one genre of books for so long that this felt like a breath of fresh air. I really connected to the “parent anxiety” feels, and that made the book feel authentic to me. The humor was great! I did keep feeling like there was going to be a plot twist or that something was about to happen. That’s probably just because I’m so used to plot-heavy books. But all in all, I thought it was great! I keep thinking about it, so it must… Read more »
The last paragraph made me cry! Beautifully written, and laugh out loud at times.
Just finished!!! I got it late because it was used, but it came from the Queens Public library in NY, so that was awesome! I enjoyed the book SO much. I felt like I knew Rocky, like she was a friend I’ve had for years. I connected so much with her experiences of having health anxiety, generalized anxiety, how much she loves her kids it hurts, etc. I loved how the author wrote in with Rocky’s side track thinking; the little anecdotes of her kids when they were small, or when her and Nick were young, made me love this… Read more »