REVIEW: This Has Been Absolutely Lovely by Jessica Dettmann

I know I shouldn’t, but I will: this was absolutely lovely. Jessica Dettmann’s new novel This Has Been Absolutely Lovely is an utterly charming, sharp and fun read that showcases the wonderful, and often chaotic, nature of family.

Jessica Dettmann

Thirty-five years ago Annie’s dream of music stardom was put on hold for childbirth. Since then, her passions have been buried under her responsibilities as a mother, wife and caregiver to ailing parents. Now, Annie is finally free to live her life. Molly, Annie’s youngest, is about to have her first baby – obviously her mum will help out with the childcare. Annie and her three adult children find themselves under the same roof over one summer where revelations and challenges force them to relearn what it means to be a family.

Jessica Dettmann has created an endearing character-driven story that explores various facets of family life, from the everyday to the extraordinary moments, with intelligence and warmth. These are flawed, compassionate characters whose moments of interaction and introspection are portrayed with a deep understanding of what makes us human. 

This Has Been Absolutely Lovely is an incredibly enjoyable story that is not only brimming with humour, but also delves into very real issues and complex challenges with maturity and care. From the role of family caregivers and expectations on parents/grandparents, to the more personal problems of addiction, doubt and struggles, Dettmann shows the heartbreak, grief and pain of these problems while also exploring the power of family in bringing love and comfort. 

This Has Been Absolutely Lovely uses humour and heart to tell a refreshingly relatable story, of which I enjoyed every moment. This was the perfect summer read, perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty and Marian Keyes.

—This Has Been Absolutely Lovely by Jessica Dettmann (HarperCollins Australia) is out now.

This Has Been Absolutely Lovely

by Jessica Dettmann

Molly's a millennial home organiser about to have her first baby. Obviously her mum, Annie, will help with the childcare. Everyone else's parents are doing it.

But Annie's dreams of music stardom have been on hold for thirty-five years, paused by childbirth then buried under her responsibilities as a mother, wage earner, wife, and only child of ailing parents. Finally, she can taste freedom. As Molly and her siblings gather in the close quarters of the family home over one fraught summer, shocking revelations come to light. Everyone is forced to confront the question of what it means to be a family...

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Ashleigh Berry