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The Descendants
The Descendants: A Novel | Kaui Hart Hemmings
24 posts | 49 read | 32 to read
Now a major motion picture starring George Clooney and directed by Alexander Payne. Fortunes have changed for the King family, descendants of Hawaiian royalty and one of the states largest landowners. Matthew Kings daughtersScottie, a feisty ten-year-old, and Alex, a seventeen-year-old recovering drug addictare 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 wifes friends and family to say their final goodbyes, a difficult situation is made worse by the sudden discovery that theres one person who hasnt 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 Joanies lover, on a memorable journey that leads to unforeseen humor, growth, and profound revelations. Look for special features inside. Join the Circle for author chats and more. RandomHouseReadersCircle.com BONUS: This edition includes an excerpt from Kaui Hart Hemmings's The Possibilities.
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review
MommyWantsToReadHerBook
The Descendants: A Novel | Kaui Hart Hemmings
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Pickpick

I've seen this movie several times for reasons I can't really explain and I found it 100% impossible not to run it through my head while reading the book. I loved certain parts, certain angles in the book - after everything, the movie doesn't convey as strongly how much Matt pursues Brian out of love for his wife.

Question: are American 10-year-olds really this precocious or is the author's perspective messed up? Scottie is way worse than in 👇

MommyWantsToReadHerBook the movie. That and the dirty language even between father and daughters I didn't like and found gross. 5mo
MommyWantsToReadHerBook I always wonder what makes people decide to turn a book into a movie and I think it is this unique perspective on an affair, which is really very well written. Recommended despite my caveats 5mo
29 likes2 comments
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KristiAhlers
The Descendants: A Novel | Kaui Hart Hemmings
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Pickpick

For #readhawaii I picked this one up. The movie and book are both so very good. Have Kleenex handy! This is a story about family, marriage and how we always seem to hurt the ones we love the most. #bigjunereadathon #bookspin @Clwojick @TheAromaofBooks

Bklover Doesn‘t that resemble George Clooney on the cover or am I nuts? 2y
Bklover Omg I just read the cover and it Is GC. Lol. Just ignore me. Been a long day 2y
KristiAhlers @Bklover lol. Yes that‘s George. He was in the movie. The book is better than the movie. 2y
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TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
TheAromaofBooks @Bklover - I actually was thinking the same thing and then read your comments 😂 2y
55 likes6 comments
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crhealey
The Descendants: A Novel | Kaui Hart Hemmings
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Pickpick

Took me a little while to get used to the tone and to come around on the main character, but I think I picked a great book to kick off the holiday weekend! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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smallthings
The Descendants: A Novel | Kaui Hart Hemmings
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Pickpick

It was a surprisingly funny book! Haven't watched the movie yet but it seems that George Clooney is spot on for the main role. Definitely read this if you're planning to spend some time in Hawaii, there was a lot of nice details about the islands.

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audraelizabeth
The Descendants: A Novel | Kaui Hart Hemmings
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Panpan

The characters were not endearing and other than they were going through a hard time we not relatable. There was not a lot of environmental descriptions and far to much pity partying.
#bookishbingo #readharder2019- an #ownvoices book set in oceania #unpopularopinion

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squirrelbrain
The Descendants: A Novel | Kaui Hart Hemmings
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Pickpick

I can see why some people don‘t like this book, the main characters were all rather obnoxious. However, I read it as a black comedy, but it‘s still an insightful read on the subjects of parenthood and grief.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#hawaii
#ReadingUSA2019

TheBookStacker I loved the movie, it‘s definitely a favorite of mine. 5y
Cathythoughts I remember the movie 👍🏻♥️ 5y
BarbaraBB I read this one for Hawaï too and enjoyed it. Nothing more nothing less! 5y
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Librarybelle Awesome! 5y
Hooked_on_books I‘ve seen the movie but haven‘t read the book. I wonder why no one had a problem with Clooney playing a descendant of Hawaiian royalty when he clearly isn‘t at all Hawaiian yet everyone freaked out about Emma Stone playing a half-Asian character in Aloha, another Hawaii based movie. Sexism, perhaps? Sorry, rant over. 😬 5y
squirrelbrain I haven‘t seen the movie @Hooked_on_books , but I get where you‘re coming from 😬😁👍 5y
89 likes6 comments
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BarbaraBB
The Descendants: A Novel | Kaui Hart Hemmings
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#JuneStats #JuneWrapUp

In June I read 10 books of which the three pictured above were my favorites (four stars, no five stars this month).

Cathythoughts Well done 👍🏻. I remember seeing the movie of tagged book years ago ... I imagine the book is way better 5y
BarbaraBB @Cathythoughts I really liked - unexpectedly. I haven‘t seen the movie! 5y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Awesome job! I managed 10 books as well this month, which is good for me. Lol. 💖📖💖 5y
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emilyhaldi Harriet made the list! 🙌🏻 5y
BarbaraBB @emilyhaldi Definitely. Yours? 5y
emilyhaldi Absolutely!! June was a big of a mediocre reading month for me, so actually Harriet probably comes in at #1 5y
BarbaraBB @emilyhaldi I hope you‘ll have some good ones in July 💕 5y
67 likes7 comments
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jensini
The Descendants: A Novel | Kaui Hart Hemmings
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Current read...🤞

BarbaraBB I liked this one much more than I expected to. Also - George Clooney 😍 5y
jensini So far so good 💖 5y
Smrloomis Still on my TBR 😆 Glad to hear it‘s good so far 5y
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Blueberry
The Descendants: A Novel | Kaui Hart Hemmings
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Megabooks I love those Alan Brennert books! 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks These look good!!! 5y
OriginalCyn620 😎📚🎶 5y
S3V3N I'm on the waitlist for Moloka'l. 5y
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BarbaraBB
The Descendants: A Novel | Kaui Hart Hemmings
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Pickpick

I chose this book only because it is set in #Hawaii and I needed that for my #ReadingUSA2019 challenge.
It was an unexpectedly good read. While she‘s dying a man discovers his wife was in love with someone else. With both his daughters (who he hardly knows because he was always working) he starts looking for this man, so he will be able to say goodbye as well. I was impressed by the main character, the way he deals with this all.

CoffeeNBooks I read this recently for one of the prompts for the Book Riot Read Harder challenge and really liked it! 5y
squirrelbrain That‘s interesting - a lot of other people *haven‘t* liked this one.... 5y
AvidReader25 I read this one for my Reading the States project too! 5y
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Librarybelle I‘ve gone back and forth on whether or not I want to read this one...so glad you liked it! 5y
BarbaraBB @Avidreader25 maybe it was your review that made me read it. @squirrelbrain did you read it? 5y
BarbaraBB @CoffeeNBooks Happy you liked it too! So you can give it a try too I think, @Librarybelle ! 5y
squirrelbrain No I haven‘t read it @BarbaraBB as it had some poor reviews. My first Ann Rule book was 50/50 Oregon/Hawaii and I was undecided which state to count it as. Now I‘ve just ordered a used copy of The Descendants for Qa.50 so that‘s decision made....?? 5y
BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain I hope you‘ll like it! It‘s an easy and quick read anyhow! 5y
Reggie Have you seen the movie of this with George Clooney? It was really well done. 5y
Centique @Reggie I was just reading this thinking I‘ve seen a movie like that. I LOVED that movie! 😍😍😍 5y
BarbaraBB @Reggie no but I have Clooney on the cover of my edition so kept thinking of him as the main character. I‘d like to watch the movie! 5y
66 likes3 stack adds11 comments
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CoffeeNBooks
The Descendants: A Novel | Kaui Hart Hemmings
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Pickpick

I wasn't sure I was going to like this book at first, but the story quickly became compelling. Matt King has left most of the child-rearing to his wife, Joanie, while he spent most of his time working. Now he has to figure out how to be the sole parent to his two daughters when his wife is in a boating accident and ends up in the hospital in a coma. #BookRiotReadHarderChallenge2019: #OwnVoices book set in Oceania

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CoffeeNBooks
The Descendants: A Novel | Kaui Hart Hemmings
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Saturday morning #coffeeandabook ☕📚

Libby1 Pretty! (edited) 6y
Theaelizabet That‘s a gorgeous cover! 6y
Dolly Oh! That mug. 😆 6y
See All 15 Comments
Nute Whoa! Is that a tentacle as the handle? That mug is so cool. 6y
Trashcanman That's a bitchin mug. I love cephalopods 6y
TheLibrarian Awesome mug! That‘s also my favorite coffee from Bones Coffee too! 6y
JanuarieTimewalker13 That mug! Perfection!🐙💕 6y
tjwill Love the mug! 6y
spookysara That's my favorite kind of coffee! 6y
CoffeeNBooks @spookysara I'm completely obsessed with Bones coffee! 😂 6y
spookysara @CoffeeNBooks I get the 5 "sample packs" with different flavors all the time. That way if I don't like one I don't have a whole bag to go through, but that way I always have different coffees in rotation. I think the Strawberry Cheesecake is my favorite, followed closely by Highland Grog! 6y
CoffeeNBooks @spookysara I started with the sampler packs, now I'm buying the full-size bags 🤣 My favorites are Strawberry Cheesecake, Red Velvet, Cookies N Dreams, French Toast, and Salted Caramel. 6y
spookysara @CoffeeNBooks I'm excited to try their new cinnamon roll flavor! 6y
CoffeeNBooks @spookysara It sounds so good! 6y
Gina Maple bacon bones coffee is da bomb 6y
119 likes15 comments
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Pamwurtzler
The Descendants: A Novel | Kaui Hart Hemmings
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Mehso-so

I was going to pan this, because for 90% of the book there was not a single character that I liked at all. It‘s about a family where the dad is a descendant of Hawaiian royalty, and who has been completely detached from his kids. The mom is in a coma as a result of a boating accident and the daughters are completely messed up. It got better at the bittersweet end. #ReadingUSA2019 #Hawaii

squirrelbrain Oh dear, what a shame.... 😒 6y
BarbaraBB This will be my one for Hawaï too. 6y
ravenlee This was adapted into a movie, right? If you needed that for a challenge at least you‘d get some more mileage out of it. 6y
See All 7 Comments
Librarybelle I‘ve been curious about this one...great review! 6y
Pamwurtzler @ravenlee With George Clooney! Maybe I can find a challenge to fit! 6y
ravenlee @Clwojick @RadicalReader @TheReadingMermaid are hosting a #MayMadness challenge and the first week is book to movie adaptations, if that‘s up your alley. 6y
BeansPage @ravenlee thank you so much for the shout-out sweetie 😘😘 yes and don't forget today we have our mini challenge and tomorrow we have our weekly challenge which I am pretty sure, in reading these posts, is going to be right up your alley! 😉😉😉 6y
39 likes1 stack add7 comments
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Amiable
The Descendants: A Novel | Kaui Hart Hemmings
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Pickpick

A novel about a man whose wife is dying and he has to gather the family and friends to say good-bye. And then he discovers that his wife had been cheating on him. So he takes to the road to find his wife's lover so that man can say good-bye as well. I thought it was interesting that the author managed to make the wife such a major character in the book, even though she was in a coma for the entirety of it.

CouronneDhiver This review makes me wish I‘d appreciated this book... I tried it a couple times and couldn‘t get into it. Loved her other book: 6y
Amiable @CouronneDhiver I gave this a 3 on Goodreads, which means I liked it and thought it wasn't a waste of my time but didn't totally love it. I should try her other one that you've mentioned. 6y
65 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Ncostell
The Descendants: A Novel | Kaui Hart Hemmings
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Pickpick

I haven't watched this movie yet but just finished reading the book. Kaui Hart Hemmings took a heart wrenching situation of a family saying goodbye to a loved one and infused it with humor and poignancy. I really loved it and wonder if the movie will live up to the book.

TheBookStacker I love the movie so much, I want to read the book 7y
Ncostell @TheBookStacker I still need to watch the movie. I‘ve been meaning to but just haven‘t got to it yet! 7y
45 likes2 comments
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Bookladylinda
The Descendants: A Novel | Kaui Hart Hemmings
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I watched this movie today, and this is the first time that I have seen it. I also have not read the book, I think I need to pick this book up sooner rather than later.

Coleen I watched this 2 nights ago. Was really good, wasn't it? 8y
Bookladylinda @Coleen yes it was very good, I'm looking forward to reading the book. (edited) 8y
TheBookStacker I love the movie 8y
Gissy Excellent movie! 8y
22 likes4 comments
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Coleen
The Descendants: A Novel | Kaui Hart Hemmings
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I almost always read the book before seeing the movie, but this one is still sitting on Mt. TBR. Watched the movie tonight though -- it was really good! (I know I'm way late to the party on this.).
Who's read this one? I'm assuming it's even better than the movie??

cheesygiraffe I have had the book for years on Mt. TBR. I've not seen the movie yet. 8y
22 likes1 stack add1 comment
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MicheleinPhilly
The Descendants: A Novel | Kaui Hart Hemmings
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I actually don't like heat unless I'm at the beach. I find summer to be unbearable and prefer being cold to being hot. Grade A freak, I know. But I wouldn't mind being in Hawaii right now. #ReadJanuary #DreamingofaWarmerClimate

Captivatedbybooks Today's not so bad i liked the sprinkle of snow philly got last night. 8y
MicheleinPhilly @Captivatedbybooks Me too! Just enough to be pretty but not so much that I have to shovel. ☺ 8y
Captivatedbybooks I woke up early thinking i'd have alot to shovel and when i saw how little went back in bed for another 30 mins 😂😂😂 8y
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Marchpane I often say I prefer the cold. But then I think "cold" is 60F, so... ??‍♀️ 8y
StacksNShelves Same. I hate the heat. 😫 But I loved that book! 🤗 8y
Buddys_Momma Hawaii sounds great right now 🌴 🌞🏄🏽‍♀️ it's 6 degrees where I'm at today😩 8y
MicheleinPhilly @Captivatedbybooks I think I'm going to have to shovel today. 😕 8y
Captivatedbybooks @MicheleinPhilly lol we both are! I came to the laundry mat when i woke up before it got bad. And fox said it wouldnt start till afternoon! Smh 8y
45 likes2 stack adds8 comments
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AmandaV
The Descendants: A Novel | Kaui Hart Hemmings
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exploring the free Amazon Prime audiobooks on Audible. Think I'll try this one out. Jonathan Davis is the narrator and I loved him in The Brief and Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao.

paradise_found92 @AmandaV I loved the movie! Enjoy. 8y
5 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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EvieBee
The Descendants: A Novel | Kaui Hart Hemmings
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Pickpick

Forgot about this touching family drama played against a Hawaiian backdrop. I cried a little. 😳#setonanialand

38 likes2 stack adds
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Carleneishere
The Descendants: A Novel | Kaui Hart Hemmings
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Pickpick

A rare clear day in the Alaskan rainforest means I can actually take airplane window photos! Tried to take a photo with my Hawaiian book, but the lighting was crap. #state49 #state50

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Carleneishere
The Descendants: A Novel | Kaui Hart Hemmings
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Wonder why they didn't include this in the movie!? Hehe

EvieBee Right?! 8y
10 likes1 comment
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Emcneil
The Descendants: A Novel | Kaui Hart Hemmings
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Pickpick

Skip the movie and read the book! A raw, real look at what life looks like during death and the search to find a new normal.

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Emcneil
The Descendants: A Novel | Kaui Hart Hemmings
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I found a new favorite reading spot! (Disney Grand California hotel lobby- fireplace + rocking chairs!) 🤓