Title: Good Eggs

Author: Rebecca Hardiman

Genre: Fiction

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication Date: 18th March 2021

Rating: 4/5

Cover:

Summary:

Meet the Gogartys: cantankerous gran Millie (whose eccentricities include a penchant for petty-theft and reckless driving); bitter downtrodden stepson Kevin (erstwhile journalist whose stay-at-home parenting is pushing him to the brink); and habitually moody, disaffected teenage daughter Aideen.

When Gran’s arrested yet again for shoplifting, Aideen’s rebelliousness has reached new heights and Kevin’s still not found work, he realises he needs to take action. With the appointment of a home carer for his mother, his daughter sent away to boarding school to focus on her studies and more time for him to reboot his job-hunt, surely everything will work out just fine. But as the story unfolds – and in the way of all the best families – nothing goes according to plan and as the calm starts to descend into chaos we’re taken on a hilarious multiple-perspective roller-coaster ride that is as relatable as it is far-fetched.

Review:

I love quirky books about family and the relationships within them so I was really looking forward to reading Good Eggs and I’m pleased to say I very much enjoyed it! The story follows the Gogarty family and their various goings-on. The narrative is split between three members of the family: eccentric and feisty grandmother Millie; her stressed and overwhelmed stepson Kevin; and his rebellious and angry daughter Aideen.

I really like when a book follows a few different characters within the same family as it always gives the reader a different perspective on the same events. It works well in Good Eggs and keeps things interesting as we jump from Millie to Kevin to Aideen. I particularly enjoyed Millie’s chapters, she is witty and vivacious and I found her humour fantastic. I also found her situation moving, there is a lot of humour and amusing antics but there is also a real heart to Good Eggs, with some lovely poignant moments. I think sometimes, especially in difficult times, you want to read a book that makes you smile and feel good and this is great choice for that. None of the characters are perfect, they have their foibles and their faults but at its core this is a book about family and how people relate to, love and support one another.

I kindly received a copy of the book from the publisher. My review is entirely my own honest opinion.