Better Luck Next Time
by
Kate Hilton
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Publication date: 16th June 2020
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Pages: 368
RRP: $29.99AUD
Format read: paperback
Source: Courtesy of the publisher
Just
ask the daughters of Lydia Hennessey, who could have it all if only
they’d stop self-destructing. Mariana, the eldest, is on the verge of
throwing away a distinguished reputation in journalism, along with her
marriage. Nina, the middle daughter, has returned from a medical mission
overseas as a changed woman but won’t discuss it with anyone. And
Beata, the youngest, has a hostile teenaged son who just discovered the
existence of a father who didn’t know about him either. Meanwhile, their
cousin Zoe is making divorce look like a death match, while her
brother, Zack, is grappling with the fallout from his popular television
dramedy, which is based far too closely on Lydia herself.
It
might be easier to find their paths if they could step out of Lydia’s
shadow—but the biggest women’s march in history is underway, and Lydia
and her family are at the centre of it.
Over the course of an
eventful year, the Hennessey children contend with the big struggles of
midlife: aging parents, raging teens, crumbling marriages and bodies,
new loves and the choice between playing it safe or taking life-altering
risks. And as they inch toward a new definition of happiness, they
might even persuade their parents—and themselves—that they’re all grown
up.
Better Luck Next Time is a
generational comedy with a subtle theme of feminism.
The story opens on a Hennessey Christmas
where the Hennesseys and the Goldstein-Hennesseys all come together
for Christmas lunch. This opening family Christmas scene is both
tragically funny and wholly relatable. The room is in chaos, some are
simply there out of duty and want to get the day over with.
There is quite a cast of characters in
this extended family and Kate Hilton has them listed in the front
pages but it doesn’t take long to get the idea of who is related to
who.
I immediately liked Zoe who is reticent
to tell her overbearing mother that she had recently separated from
her husband. Zoe had a wonderful relationship with her younger
brother Zack and it was nice to see them opening up to each other.
Their friendly banter and ribbing come across as fun and natural.
Mariana, Nina and Beata are siblings,
cousins to Zoe and Zack. Nina doesn’t feature much in the story but
when she does it is heart-breaking and meaningful.
Mariana is a high flying journalist
unhappy with her marriage but feels trapped with a no-hoper husband
and young twins to bring up.
Beata, a single mother and Reiki
specialist, has dedicated her life to raising her 15 year old son
Oscar. She now wonders how she ended up with an angry teenager who
slams doors and won’t talk.
Putting their grievances aside the family
comes together as family matriarch and well known feminist Lydia
Hennessey plans to lead the upcoming feminist march with coordinating
marches across the country
The story follows the Hennessey family
over the course of one eventful year which will see separations,
bridal showers, secrets divulged and a confrontation ending in
hospitalisation. The Hennessey’s are anything but boring!
Better Luck Next Time is
a light easy read that is filled with relevant issues such as
divorce, dating after divorce, single parenthood, secrets, gay
relationships, self love and family. Hilton’s characters are highly
relatable. You might find yourself in one of the characters or little
bits of yourself in all of them.
Kate
Hilton tests the six degrees of separation theory, again and again,
but in most cases here it is on about two degrees which makes for
some awkwardly funny situations.
This is
not a dysfunctional family it is just an all round normal family
finding their way in love and life.
Better Luck Next Time
is everything it promised to be; funny, engaging and highly
relatable.
My rating 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kate Hilton is the bestselling author of
Hole in the Middle, Just Like Family and Better Luck Next Time. Before
settling on fiction writing, Kate pursued careers in law, university
administration, publishing, and major gift fundraising. While she rarely
uses her law degree these days, she's delighted that English degree has
turned out to be so useful. Kate's non-fiction writing has appeared in
The National Post. Canadian Living, and The Huffington Post, on topics
ranging from working motherhood to creativity reinvention. She lives in a
blended family - including a husband, two sons, a stepdaughter, and a
rescue dog - in Toronto.
The Night Whistler by Greg Woodland It's 1966. Hal and his
little brother, newly arrived in Moorabool with their parents, are
exploring the creek near their new home when they find the body of a
dog.
