Good Reads: The Descendants by Kaui Hart Hemmings

Goodreads Synopsis:

Fortunes have changed for the King family, descendants of Hawaiian royalty and one of the state’s largest landowners. Matthew King’s daughters—Scottie, a feisty ten-year-old, and Alex, a seventeen-year-old recovering drug addict—are out of control, and their charismatic, thrill-seeking mother, Joanie, lies in a coma after a boat-racing accident. She will soon be taken off life support. As Matt gathers his wife’s friends and family to say their final goodbyes, a difficult situation is made worse by the sudden discovery that there’s one person who hasn’t been told: the man with whom Joanie had been having an affair. Forced to examine what they owe not only to the living but to the dead, Matt, Scottie, and Alex take to the road to find Joanie’s lover, on a memorable journey that leads to unforeseen humor, growth, and profound revelations.

My Thoughts:

I really liked this. I saw the movie before reading the book, which I hate doing because I feel the book gets ruined. I'm always ready to be "at the good parts" the movie showed.

But, in my true fashion I cared for the book more than the movie, but both were great. I liked how the booked delved into the characters of Sid and Joannie. Sid seems so random in the movie, but his character actually makes a lot of sense. This might be harsh, but... I had abosolutely no simpathy for Joanie's character. She seemed like a really messed up person who messed up the lives of her husband and children. I don't like her, and I feel I should feel bad saying that since the character is dying. But, I don't. I think she's a bitch.

I acutally laughed out load at some parts. Which again, asks the question 'is it appropriate since someone is dying?' Tricky, tricky Miss Hemmings! In some ways the the character of Matt King reminded me of my dad and the daughters of myself and my younger sister (minus the whole drug use thing). My mom actually cheated and left our family, so I grew up with a single dad. We, along with my brother, would say just about anything in front my dad... some of the craizest stuff! I couldn't help to think, 'did my dad have the same thoughts as Matt King when he heard things come out of our mouths?' and did he think 'do my kids even care they are saying this in front of me?' I'm sure we made for some really awkward moments and questions about parenting, just like it did for Matt.

Read it. Just know there is adult humor, not gross humor, but adult. I found it appropriate in this novel.

Happy reading!