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The Radleys (2010)

by Matt Haig

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1,1378217,768 (3.54)97
Just about everyone knows a family like the Radleys. Many of us grew up next door to one. They are a modern family, averagely content, averagely dysfunctional, living in a staid and quiet suburban English town. Peter is an overworked doctor whose wife, Helen, has become increasingly remote and uncommunicative. Rowan, their teenage son, is being bullied at school, and their anemic daughter, Clara, has recently become a vegan. They are typical, that is, save for one devastating exception: Peter and Helen are vampires and have-for seventeen years-been abstaining by choice from a life of chasing blood in the hope that their children could live normal lives. One night, Clara finds herself driven to commit a shocking-and disturbingly satisfying-act of violence, and her parents are forced to explain their history of shadows and lies. A police investigation is launched that uncovers a richness of vampire history heretofore unknown to the general public. And when the malevolent and alluring Uncle Will, a practicing vampire, arrives to throw the police off Clara's trail, he winds up throwing the whole house into temptation and turmoil and unleashing a host of dark secrets that threaten the Radleys' marriage. The Radleys is a moving, thrilling, and radiant domestic novel that explores with daring the lengths a parent will go to protect a child, what it costs you to deny your identity, the undeniable appeal of sin, and the everlasting, iridescent bonds of family love. Read it and ask what we grow into when we grow up, and what we gain-and lose-when we deny our appetites.… (more)
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English (79)  German (1)  All languages (80)
Showing 1-5 of 79 (next | show all)
This was a very different take on vampires and I loved it. I found the idea of vampires who are abstainers to be quite original and I liked the Radley family. You have to root for vampires who don't actually want to kill humans. I also really enjoyed the author's writing style. Can't wait to read another of his books. ( )
  Woodardja | Jan 30, 2024 |
Loved it! So fun, but spooky too. ( )
  Nefelibatabibb54 | Jan 8, 2024 |
Matt Haig is rapidly becoming one of my favourite authors. I can just slide into one of his books and lose time. It's brilliant. ( )
  beentsy | Aug 12, 2023 |
The Radleys by Matt Haig is a paranormal fantasy novel about a family of vampires. Peter and Helen have made the decision to be abstaining vampires and have raised their two children with no knowledge of their true nature. There are consequences to denying your true self and Rowan, the son, has insomnia and a rash while daughter, Clara, who has decided to become a vegan, is now getting sick and the whole family live a lethargic, repressed life. Then when Clara is attacked one night and fights back, she discovers the power, energy and strength that drinking blood gives her.

Meanwhile the family has a body to dispose of and secrets to reveal to both their children. Peter, calls upon his older brother, Will, a practising vampire to help them out little knowing that inviting him into their lives is the last thing he should be doing. Will and Helen have a past that neither one has totally gotten over. Will sees this as his chance to reconnect with Helen and draw her back into his life.

The author does a fine job of balancing the story between comedy and horror. The use of quotes from “The Abstainers Handbook” is darkly funny and the author keeps the story lively and light. This is first and foremost a story about family and the consequences of repressing yourself just to fit in. The Radleys is a fresh slant on the vampire myth and never makes the mistake of taking itself too seriously. ( )
  DeltaQueen50 | Jul 16, 2023 |
Starts off lighthearted and humourous, until a girl is attacked walking home alone at night. Then suddenly the rest of the book is serious.
It deals with numerous family issues, and while trying to be funny, it never forgets it's serious side. It is compellingly written, but had me feeling uneasy through most of the book. Nevertheless an enjoyable read. ( )
  calenmarwen | May 29, 2023 |
Showing 1-5 of 79 (next | show all)
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For Andrea, as always. And for Lucas and Pearl. Don't spill a drop.
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It is a quiet place, especially at night.
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(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)
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Just about everyone knows a family like the Radleys. Many of us grew up next door to one. They are a modern family, averagely content, averagely dysfunctional, living in a staid and quiet suburban English town. Peter is an overworked doctor whose wife, Helen, has become increasingly remote and uncommunicative. Rowan, their teenage son, is being bullied at school, and their anemic daughter, Clara, has recently become a vegan. They are typical, that is, save for one devastating exception: Peter and Helen are vampires and have-for seventeen years-been abstaining by choice from a life of chasing blood in the hope that their children could live normal lives. One night, Clara finds herself driven to commit a shocking-and disturbingly satisfying-act of violence, and her parents are forced to explain their history of shadows and lies. A police investigation is launched that uncovers a richness of vampire history heretofore unknown to the general public. And when the malevolent and alluring Uncle Will, a practicing vampire, arrives to throw the police off Clara's trail, he winds up throwing the whole house into temptation and turmoil and unleashing a host of dark secrets that threaten the Radleys' marriage. The Radleys is a moving, thrilling, and radiant domestic novel that explores with daring the lengths a parent will go to protect a child, what it costs you to deny your identity, the undeniable appeal of sin, and the everlasting, iridescent bonds of family love. Read it and ask what we grow into when we grow up, and what we gain-and lose-when we deny our appetites.

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