Thanks to Michael Joseph and NetGalley for an advance e-copy of this title.

Mary Beth Keane is a master of family sagas. I didn’t love this as much as her previous title (‘Ask Again, Yes’), but would still thoroughly recommend it. She creates characters, settings, and scenes that are intricate without being too lengthy, which truly immerses you in the story. With little knowledge of Irish history, I found the beginning of the book interesting and have made a note to add some further reading to my TBR. But it came alive for me once the protagonists reached New York, where the plot developed more rapidly. I wasn’t so caught up that I felt compelled to keep reading, but the experience was enjoyable nonetheless. The ending was interesting: at first I thought it a little unsatisfactory, but I think this is actually Keane making a clever comment on Greta and Julia’s relationship.

So good! I love Mary Beth Keane's writing style and how completely invested I feel in the characters. I will read everything she ever writes!

3.5 stars for this one.

Atmospheric is how I'd describe The Waking People.

I felt an incredible weight of sadness when reading it, not because the whole story was downcast, more because I really felt for the characters, the decisions they made and the secrets they kept.

Looking at a certain part of immigration - the Irish travelling to America - we get to see the evolution of Greta (as well as her family) and how things change as the years go by. I admired Greta, she was determined despite being fearful and worrisome.

Moving.

This was a book that I feel will be even more moving when put in audio form. I spent my time imagining the Irish accents as I read.

The ending confused me somewhat. I'm not sure what the author wanted us to take away from it, it just seemed too abrupt, no real conclusion.

Over all a good, honest story. For me it just lacked a certain amount of wow factor to give the book an overriding edge.

I’d like to thank NetGalley and Michael Joseph for approving me for an ARC of this book. I read Mary Beth Keane’s debut and really enjoyed it so I was looking forward to this one.

This isn’t the type of read that is all guns blazing and action packed from the start. It’s a slow read that sets the scene and forces you to form bonds with the characters. Told from the POV of Greta we learn how one secret can have huge consequences for the whole family.

The story flicks back and forth from Greta’s childhood in the 60’s to present day where she is a mother herself and her children are also adults. Whilst living in Ireland as a child Greta and her sister Joanna were thick as thieves. They looked out for each other and helped keep their family together after the unexpected death of their father. When Joanna then decides to leave the family home to travel to New York Greta reluctantly decides to go with her. Travelling with them is Michael, a member of the Travelling People, who’s looking to breakaway from his family and set up a permanent home.

As we learn more about their journey to New York and how they settle in the unthinkable happens and Greta is forced to make a hard decision. What Greta didn’t realise at the time was how much her life would change from this one choice and it is clear that she is still haunted by her choices in the present day.

This had a lot of emotion and certainly dug into the roots of the family. Whilst the ending did leave us somewhat at a loose end on reflection I did like it, which is strange because I normally like everything finished neatly. I’d be interested to see what happened next for Greta and her family.