The Maguire function are dysfunctional, but only in a way most families will find relatable. I was intrigued by the gaps in the story, and enjoyed getting to piece together what really did go on from what is gleaned through the next chapter. As we aren't shown what happens between these sections, some scenes are left to the imagination. Whilst this is a family drama told through scenes where people are eating/drinking, Claire Powell handles the choice subtly and it doesn't stick out as a gimmick. TW: Depression, Anxiety, Marital Issues, Alcoholism I can’t wait to see what Claire Powell does next. Painfully realistic, this frank but tender portrayal of people at their lowest is a book everyone can relate to. The way that Powell navigates heartache, depression, anxiety, and just not really knowing what your next step in life is, is truly exceptional. And although there are funny sections in the book, the emotional grounding far surpasses what I expected. The Maguires could be your friends or neighbours, that is how crystal the writing is. I was expecting an easy read with funny parts here and there and instead it was like having an inside look into someone’s home. Set over the course of a year, At The Table gives you more than you asked for. The simple details of everyday life are just spot on every time and you could feel the ups and downs and anxieties of each character. Right down to the main characters colleagues, friends, even the locations you could picture perfectly because (if you’re in the UK) there is always a pub in walking distance called The Crown. Powell manages to make the Maguires wholly realistic. I’ve read a lot of books about women struggling through their twenties, this is a book about the whole family struggling through life - and it is stunning.Ī brilliant portrayal of family dynamics in all their messy glory.

A gripping yet tender depiction of family dynamics, love and disillusionment, At the Table is about what it means to grow up - both as an individual, and as a family. Set in 2018, Claire Powell's beautifully observed debut novel follows each member of the Maguire family over a tumultuous year of lunches, dinners and drinks, as old conflicts arise and relationships are re-evaluated. But as the siblings grapple with the pressures of thirtysomething life, their parents struggle to protect the fragile façade of their own relationship, and the secrets they've both been keeping. Hardworking - and hard-drinking - Nicole pursues the ex she unceremoniously dumped six years ago, while people-pleasing Jamie fears he's sleepwalking into a marriage he doesn't actually want. So when Linda and Gerry announce that they've decided to separate, the news sends shockwaves through the siblings' lives, forcing them to confront their own expectations and desires. To Nicole and Jamie Maguire, their parents seem the ideal couple - a suburban double act, happily married for more than thirty years.

At the table book claire powell