Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book. Unfortunately, while the blurb really interested me, I have been unable to get into the book.

It's been some years since I requested it and I haven't been interested enough to pick this up. I might someday, but for now I'll just leave it as it is..

This was a strange book. It reminded me rather of an Angela Carter novel in places. Maybe it was the circus background, but I think there is some resonance in terms of characters too. I enjoyed the book. I particularly liked Delia as a character and her relationship with her sister was compelling. Having said that, it ended too abruptly for me. It’s not that it isn’t finished off, like some novels are, but that I wanted more from it.

Such a funny, intriguing book. I’ve never laughed as much as I did while reading this book

Not an uplifting view of human nature. All the characters in this book know what the right thing to do is but always choose the opposite. They are the master of their own destructions. It was good to see a book that included characters with physical and mental disabilities but I don't think they were shown in a positive light.

I'm truly disappointed with this because the book summary/blurb sounded so darn interesting! I had tried to crack this book on multiple occasions, but within pages I would give up. I'm sure it's an intentional style choice and had I stuck in longer maybe I would have gotten used to the writing style and sucked in by the story, however the opening chapter (which I was never able to read past) is written in such a stream of consciousness style that I felt lost and confused as to what was happening. I really need that first chapter to do a little more enticing and setup--or at least post intriguing questions that encourage someone to read on. Here though I just couldn't get past what felt like run on sentence after sentence, all of which held very little meaning. Giving up and moving on to a book written in more of my preferred style.

1984, after 40 years in the show business, Kenneth O’Leary decides to retire from the stage. His daughters Delia and Raquel simply accept this, then they realise that this will also affect their lives since they both live on their father’s money even though they are both grown up. But this is not their only problem. Delia’s boyfriend Eddie suddenly falls for the older sister – and she for him. And there are people looking out for the family money – life is everything but easy for the O’Learys.

The description of the novel really made me curious about what to await. Caren Freeborn definitely created outstanding characters whom you will not easily forget. Ken, the father, who can only speak though all the lines he used on stage and constantly quotes Shakespeare. Raquel who is stuck somehow between wanting to be a successful nightclub singer and having a real career and caring for her sister. Delia who not only shows clear signs of eating disorders and at least some hints of autism. The minor characters aren’t less intriguing.

Those characters obviously lead to many funny situations and hilarious dialogues, nevertheless, the novel was lacking something on the plot level. Even though I had a lot of fun reading it and admittedly, the characters’ make-up has absolutely succeeded, it could not absolutely convince me.

“Can none of you see it? Not one of you? We can’t do it. We can’t be like other people, not any of us. The trying’s over. Finished.”
I couldn’t agree more with Ken’s conclusion that the family is quite unique and far from being average. They oscillate between being fabulous/fascinating and scary/frightening at the other end. This makes the novel outstanding in the masses of books, yet, I wold have expected a bit more.

Well. There we go.

I’m not too sure what to say about Presenting…The Fabulous O’Learys. I don’t think I liked the story. I didn’t dislike it. I’m just sort of indifferent to it.

The story centres around a showbiz family. There are singers, actors and circus performers; there are also those who deal with being in a showbiz family without actually being in the business. Like all families there are secrets and lies. That is pretty much all I can say about it.

Some people will really like this story. Personally it didn’t do it for me.

Presenting…The Fabulous O’Learys by Caron Freeborn is available now.

For more information regarding Caron Freeborn (@CaronFreeborn) please visit her Twitter page.

For more information regarding Holland House Books (@HhouseBooks) please visit www.HhouseBooks.com.

I'll be honest - it was the cover art that first drew me in. The synopsis was intriguing, but it was the unique cover that sold me.

Any how - on to the meat of it: I really quite thoroughly enjoyed this book. I read most of it in the past 24 hours as I got increasingly absorbed in the characters.

This is most definitely a character driven book, and oh what a cast of characters we have. The author does a fabulous job creating colourful and uniquely damaged individuals that though at times almost seem to be caricatures they also seem so very real.

These are the most perfectly imperfect kinds of people - with their mental health foibles and strange dynamics but obvious love for each other. They just felt so real. And so unique. Each chapter is told from a different characters perspective and voice - you truly feel as though you are inside each individual head. And they each have such strong voices that the author keeps true throughout.

Would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys a glimpse inside a dysfunctional family that is close because of and in spite of their dysfunction. For anyone who appreciates characters with different mental illnesses and physical illnesses - the disabilities are woven seamlessly into the narrative, and it is a beautiful thing. And for anyone who likes finding the humour in the hard realities of life and relationships.