Hello from the Gillespies

by Monica McInerney

  Q. Can you give us a hint about your next book?

  A. The ideas are starting to come together, but it’s still too early to talk about, except for the fact that so far it seems to have something of a thriller aspect, about a family who is not at all who they seem to be. But before I start on that, I want to finish writing a fun children’s series I’ve been plotting for some years now. My husband and I are also working on a ten-part TV series together. I’ve also had ideas for several short stories . . .

  BOOK CLUB

  DISCUSSION NOTES

  »  A Christmas letter gone awry starts the action of the book. Have you ever done something similar? What were the consequences?

  »  Of the four Gillespie children, do you have a favourite? Who is it and why?

  »  Nick Gillespie blames himself for so many things. Is he right on any count?

  »  All of the Gillespies suffer in their own different ways while Angela is away, but is there one character you feel for most during this difficult time? And who copes best with the situation?

  »  Ig and Angela share an extra special bond, and Ig is the one who finally helps her realise who she really is. Why do you think this is?

  »  Discuss the very different ways in which the characters respond to setbacks.

  »  Angela forgets her own personal history, and Nick becomes fascinated by his genealogy. What is the role of the past and memory in the novel?

  »  What does Errigal mean to each of the Gillespies, and what does the setting add to the story overall?

  »  Discuss the various secrets in the novel.

  »  Is there ever a point in life at which you stop being a parent, or stop needing one?

  MICHAEL JOSEPH

  Published by the Penguin Group

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  Penguin Books Ltd, Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

  First published by Penguin Group (Australia), 2014

  Text copyright © Monica McInerney 2014

  The moral right of the author has been asserted

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

  Cover design by Nikki Townsend © Penguin Group (Australia)

  Text design by Laura Thomas © Penguin Group (Australia)

  Cover photograph by Ally T/Getty Images Author photography by Ashley Miller

  penguin.com.au

  ISBN: 978-1-74348-186-8

  Sometimes the hardest lessons to learn are those that matter most.

  Following a tragic accident, Ella O’Hanlon flees to the other side of the world in an attempt to escape her grief, leaving behind the two people she blames for her loss: Aidan, the love of her life, and Jess, her spoilt half-sister.

  In London Ella is taken in by her beloved uncle Lucas, whose extraordinary house holds many wonderful memories for her. Along with other members of the very colourful Fox family, Lucas helps Ella to see that she is not the only one still hurting, and that forgiveness can be the greatest healer in a family and in a marriage.

  For anyone who has ever loved and lost, this is an exquisitely moving and life-affirming novel by the internationally bestselling author of Lola’s Secret.

  PRAISE FOR MONICA McINERNEY

  ‘A big book about a big-hearted family . . . an affectionate, funny, teary book about grief, love, lies and revelations.’ Sunday Age

  ‘One of those rare books that you could recommend to anyone and know that they’ll love it.’ Australian Women’s Weekly

  THE BEGINNING

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