THE ARRIVALS: A NOVEL

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Apr 06, Erin rated it really liked it Shelves: This was such a lovely, heartfelt book. Meg Mitchell Moore really nails the tragedy of being a parent and the cycle of feeling imposed upon and then abandoned and then needed again. As a new-ish mom, I found this book especially affecting, but anyone who enjoys a good old fashioned dysfunctional family drama will enjoy this novel. Prima lettura del per niente eccezionale, ma avevo bisogno di una lettura leggera. May 23, Cheryl rated it liked it Shelves: My Thoughts and Opinion: Having recently started my own chapter of being an empty nester, I was quite interested in the premise of this book.

And along that line, I definitely could relate to the parental characters in the novel. It was very easy for me to, what I call being "transported", into the story line and become part of this family. Which was quite surprising due to the fact that this was the debut novel by this author. There was a situation, where the patriarch character became so frustrated that he finally lost his patience, because his house had been so transformed into a mess.

Another plight I could relate to. And how the parents attempted to treat their children as the adults that they were. Except these adult children, never took into consideration that they were giving their parents their responsibilities and problems instead of dealing with them as the adults they were. I felt that there were some family dynamics, and this is only my opinion, that did not resemble real life. The timeframe occurred over a few months, and during that time, it was never stated to the parents why their children appeared "back home".

I enjoyed this book due to the story line of the novel, but also felt that it was predictable.

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No matter what the rating this book gets, like the synopsis states, "once a parent, always a parent". Apr 11, Tatiana rated it liked it Shelves: Ever wonder what would happen if an empty nest suddenly filled up again for a summer? In the beginning, it was difficult to really like anyone.

They were all so needy and petty and whiny, like children, which was the idea, of course. Once a parent, always a parent, and the same goes for kids, particu Ever wonder what would happen if an empty nest suddenly filled up again for a summer? Once a parent, always a parent, and the same goes for kids, particularly when living in your childhood home.

Their opinions differed, but any one of them could have made the statements. I was especially disappointed in Father Colin, a Southie only in description, not voice; Patrick Kenzie he was not. Moore had a knack for capturing New England small town atmosphere, as if trapping it in a Bell jar, preserving it for deeper examination at leisure. While the unanswerable argument of working mom vs. Moore also leaned on the same paragraph configuration three or four clauses before the point too often.

Stephen was perhaps my favorite character. I waited, fruitlessly, for him, even in his gentle way, to lose it with workaholic Jane. Everyone scoffed at the prospect of him being a stay-at-home dad, but the way he took care of his pregnant wife, from scouring the internet for tips on accommodating bed rest to his unending, cheery patience, proved him well-equipped for fatherhood.

In all, I came around and did enjoy this novel, the nebulous happy endings for each family member notwithstanding. View all 3 comments. May 23, Patty rated it it was amazing. This book was in one of my favorite places…Vermont…and had families as its main theme. Adult children came home to their parents and the house they grew up in one at a time over the summer.

They brought baggage that included children, husbands, pregnancies, career issues and infidelities.

They all came home to their old rooms and old haunts and old friends. They all knew more than their parents did and yet the parents in this story…Ginny and William…were the ones who provided a respite and care and food and support. Ginny and William love having their children home and just want them to be happy. The old fashioned sort of mom who did laundry and cooked and almost never complained and just wanted to help fix everything. It was a wonderful wonderful book. Jul 21, ILoveBooks rated it liked it. Three adult children converge on their parents in June and stay for the summer.

Their baggage includes a crumbling marriage, a newborn, an adorable three-year-old, an endangered seven-month pregnancy, and a heart-broken, financially-strapped daughter. The storm of problems in one summer is unlikely, but the author draws the reader into the lives of the characters and makes it believable. Both Ginny and William Owen lovingly welcome them. When everyone is sleeping, Ginny stands contentedly, remem Three adult children converge on their parents in June and stay for the summer. When everyone is sleeping, Ginny stands contentedly, remembering the past safe cocoon of their home.

Happily, the summer successfully closes with newfound hope because of the support of their parents, siblings, and friends. Adult readers will relish the poignancy of constant love for their children - no matter their ages. Oct 10, Michael rated it liked it Shelves: Life in Burligton, Vt. They are called by their daughter, Lillian and told she's coming to see them with her children age three and a newborn. She needs a break from her husband.

OVernight the come was suddenly in an uproar. Even more so when William and Ginny's son, Stephen and his wife, Jane, arrive at their home unannounced. Jane is seven months pregnant and their intended weekend stay is prolonged when there is a complication her pregnancy a Life in Burligton, Vt. Jane is seven months pregnant and their intended weekend stay is prolonged when there is a complication her pregnancy and doctor's recommend bedrest. Rooms are changed and a pull out couch is activated for the sudden crowd.

Things get wild with toys left out and Lillian trying to find a time to breast feed her infant in the crowded family home. Problems continue when the youngest child, Rachel who had been living in New York tells her parents she needs help and comes to visit. The family journey is described with humor and empathy with each child needing nourishment from their parets in different ways.

The author gives a realistic view of the family and William and Ginny's realization that being parents bears a responsibility that continues after the children leave home. The fact that the children have a safe place to go to when things are not going well is a lesson for all parents. The chaos was a bit long but the novel was enlightening and enjoyable. Apr 25, Tami rated it really liked it Shelves: Haven't received yet, just received notice I had won.

Lillian, Stephen and his wife Jane, and Rachel all come for a "visit" to their parents house. The daughters are running away from life problems and Stephen and Jane came for the weekend, until she was required to stay for pregnancy complications. There were a lot of parts of this story that made me mad. I don't doubt for an minute that my Haven't received yet, just received notice I had won.

There is also none of us children that would have tried. Yes, you are down on your luck, but you are the mother so take care of your kids. Off soap box now, promise. I felt the story was realistic somewhat and very entertaining, especially Olivia! Probably doesn't hurt that I knew a small Olivia that seemed very familiar to the one in the story. All in all an enjoyable read. Jun 18, Julie Allyn rated it liked it. The Arrivals is about a couple who has entered the empty nest season of their lives and suddenly has all 3 of their adult children and a couple of grand kids back living in their house.

The story accurately portrays the struggles of parenting from the time our babies are developing in the womb to when they have their own children. It is never easy, it is never ending, and as tired as you feel at each point of the journey you need to remember to relish the moments because they are al The Arrivals is about a couple who has entered the empty nest season of their lives and suddenly has all 3 of their adult children and a couple of grand kids back living in their house. It is never easy, it is never ending, and as tired as you feel at each point of the journey you need to remember to relish the moments because they are all fleeting.

It was no where near a 5 star book for me as it was for many who posted comments on Amazon 1 reason I choose it but it was a good story overall and because it takes place in Burlington VT where I went to college I enjoyed the references to that location.

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3. The Arrivals by Meg Mitchell Moore!

Jun 28, Rachel rated it liked it. My son's writing teacher is always saying, "Show, don't tell. I am tired of the premise of a whole family of adults being thrown together in their parents' house, but this one played better than most because each person came to the house for their own reasons and left with their own lessons.

I almost quit this book about a third of the way through, but am g My son's writing teacher is always saying, "Show, don't tell. I almost quit this book about a third of the way through, but am glad I stuck with it. Jul 07, Megan Mullins rated it liked it.

So I think this is becoming a thing people write about now- 3 generations of a family ending up in the same house for the summer, mothers who did not want to be housewives and raise working daughters who wish they were housewives, and include both a young priest and a character from Boston. This was so similar to the book I just read J. Courtney Sullivan's "Maine", which was a much better book than this one but I liked this one so much better anyhow.

I really liked both books but omg how weird So I think this is becoming a thing people write about now- 3 generations of a family ending up in the same house for the summer, mothers who did not want to be housewives and raise working daughters who wish they were housewives, and include both a young priest and a character from Boston. I really liked both books but omg how weird. Apr 22, Siobhan Fallon rated it it was amazing. A glorious book about family, the way we come together and the way we tear each other apart. What would happen if you and your grown siblings all found yourself back in your childhood home, living under your parents' rules again?

Sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking, always full of incredibly beautiful writing and insight, I am recommending this book to everyone. View all 5 comments.

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• Elisée Reclus (French Edition)?
• It Looked So Good In the Window.
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Apr 21, Naomi rated it really liked it. What a great debut I must say though that for some reason, I keep thinking of the movie "The Family Stone" with this book Also, I must say that this book would be a huge nightmare for empty nesters!

The Arrival Part II

Final GR rating 3. Jun 10, Andrea Sachs rated it really liked it. I really enjoyed this story of a family in chaos! So many problems in one summer that I felt for William and Ginny more than for their off-spring. Jun 03, Janel rated it it was ok. The characters weren't that interesting, storyline too predictable. Jun 20, Sara rated it really liked it. Aug 27, Wendolyn rated it liked it Shelves: Honest portrayal of adult children coming home out of necessity, for various reasons. There were many raw insights.



I admire authors who are able to write from the perspective of so many characters, allowing us to see all the angles and tying them all together. It was dark and heavy - foreboding. You would think that if they really wanted you to go to church they'd make it a little easier to open the door. He couldn't forgive himself for the conviction he'd felt.

He'd been certain that they'd lost the baby, and somehow, unbidden, his mind had leaped ahead, had jumped from where they were now to the question of what to do next, how to console Jane, how long it would be until they could try again. Lillian's eyes were closed too, her mouth was open, and her chin was tipped back. She was deeply asleep. He placed the glass on the table on a coaster and stood for a minute, considering them: He felt a surge of emotion that later, when he examined it in the darkness of their bedroom, with Lillian asleep beside him, he could identify only as loneliness.

This knowledge, delivered though it was in a genial, conspiratorial tone, made him sad. A beer tastes better at home in the summer, in front of the Red Sox, after a hard day of work. Which makes ME think about my cholesterol. It's just easier, sometimes, to go out on my own. All this hemming and hawing over what everyone should do with their lives. We didn't do all that, right? They want everything to be perfect, so they spend all this time figuring things out--" "When really," said Hedy, "it'll never be perfect.

It will just be life. Lillian's heart twisted a little bit at that. Then, watching Olivia wrap her arms around Tom and pat his back the way she'd done even as a baby, in imitation of what adults did to her, Lillian recognized something. The environments resemble a combination of futuristic and old-fashioned aesthetics. He also shot pictures in his garage, using a video camera and empty boxes to create lighting.

It's not my favorite style of working, and I didn't feel very confident. The other thing was continuity. When I started, I was drawing everything out of my head by hand, and I was finding that there were accumulating continuity problems—just little things that you notice subconsciously, like the length of a sleeve, how a lapel falls, where the rim of a hat is.

The only way to register all of that properly was to photograph a lot of the stuff. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The Arrival First edition cover. Retrieved 11 April Interview with Shaun Tan". Retrieved from " https: Pages to import images to Wikidata.