Evenings & Weekends
By Oisin McKenna
Mariner, 9780063319974, July 2924, 352 pp.
The Short of It:
Sharp. Poignant. Beautiful.
The Rest of It:
“Summer in London stops for no one. Not the half-naked drunks and stoners, the bachelorette parties glugging from bejewelled bottles, the drag queens puffing on hurried cigarettes. It’s June 2019, and everyone has converged on the city’s parks, beer gardens, and street corners to revel in the collective joys of being alive.” ~ the publisher
The above blurb might set the tone, but Evenings & Weekends is so much more than that raucous snippet. It’s about love, friendship, self-doubt and the longing we have for a happy life, but at what cost?
A group of friends meander their way through life. Living with each other, dating each other. This is a story of exploration. Men with men, women with men, women with women. But then, one of their inner circle finds herself pregnant at 30. Maggie is broke and faced with the prospect of moving back to a town she couldn’t wait to get away from. Her boyfriend Ed is there for her, but is he really? Ed is going through his own exploratory period, and their mutual friend Phil has everything to say about it.
These are complex characters faced with the fact that they aren’t young anymore. Their actions have consequences. The love they have for one another feels so genuine though. There is some darkness as they find their way but it’s so beautifully written that I didn’t mind the rough bits in between.
Evenings & Weekends has been described as “sexually charged.” I would agree with that statement but when it involves long time friends, it becomes more of a tender story of exploration. This is one of those ensemble cast reads. I can see it making its way to the big screen. Think, The Big Chill. I really liked this one. It will probably make my fave list at the end of the year.
Source: Borrowed
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Book Chatter 
Ti, I’m desperately doing anything I can to stay sane. I’m glad you’ve been able to find some comfort. Sending, of course, a bucketful of good thoughts and prayers for test results and hair progress.
Thank you!! It’s really crazy out there! Books and more books. I find that as long as I have the books lined up and ready to go without gaps in between I can stay somewhat calm and not pay attention to the circus that our country has become.
I haven’t heard of this one, but it sounds really good. I loved the Big Chill so an updated version is right up my alley.
“These are complex characters faced with the fact that they aren’t young anymore.”
Me, too!!
The day that we realize this is a dark day, my friend. I remember it clearly.
I look forward to reading this later in the year. Maybe a summer read? Very nice review, Ti. Thanks!
I think you will appreciate the complexity of the characters. It’s very well done.
Oh I’m glad for your review of this one. I think I wanted to read it when it came out. I’ll put it back on my list. It seems like a London Big Chill perhaps … which is a good thing. I miss those younger days, argh.
Yes, a London Big Chill. The relationships are complicated enough to hold your interest but not so complicated that they seem made-up.
My reading fell off again, but I’m back on track thankfully. So, I’m definitely going to be adding this one to my TBR list. I have it on my kindle – thank you NetGalley! I’m excited to read it – thanks friend! 🙂
I just finished a load of books and find myself stuck with nothing to read. Oh, I have plenty to read but am I in the mood for them?