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A poignant yet hopeful family story
This brand-new Rachel Joyce novel is a marvel. The story follows four siblings - Netta, Susan, Iris, and Goose - from London to Italy as they cope with the... READ MORE
Joyce shows us the deepest truth of someone underneath the versions of self they present to the world.
Four siblings meet at a noodle bar with their artist father, VIc. He reveals that he has met a young artist online and is in love. He has undergone a phys... READ MORE
A glorious and emotive read
The Homemade God is a stunning portrait of family and grief. Rachel Joyce has once again tapped into the emotional wells that make us human and delivered a... READ MORE
Family is everything
Thank you to the publishers for the uncorrected proof.The book is now published.
I like Rachel Joyce's writing,especially the Harold Fry stories.i must ad... READ MORE
Intriguing
This isa bit different from Rachel's other books. It tells the story of 4 siblings who were brought up by their father, a rebound artist. After hid death ... READ MORE
Synopsis
Family is everything, even when it falls apart.
There is a heatwave across Europe.
Goose and his three sisters gather at the family's house by Lake Orta in Piedmont, Italy. Their father, a famous artist, has recently remarried a much younger woman and decamped to Italy to finish his masterpiece. Now he is dead and there is no sign of a painting.
Although the siblings have always been close, as they search for answers over that summer, the things they learn - about themselves, their father and their new stepmother - will drive them apart before they can come to any kind of understanding of what their father's legacy truly is.
Extraordinarily compelling, at heart this is a novel about sibling relationships and those hairline cracks that can appear within a family: what happens when they splinter, and what it would take to mend them.
Publisher information
- Publisher: Transworld Publishers Ltd
- ISBN: 9781804994344
- Number of pages: 400
- Dimensions: 197 x 127 x 27 mm
- Weight: 278g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
View allA perfect family saga..
‘The Homemade God’ is a different direction from Rachel Joyce’s much loved feel good novels.
The story is about four siblings and their famous father. W... READ MORE
Five stars!
The Homemade God is a captivating and emotionally resonant book that explores the complexities of family, legacy, and the fragility of relationships. Set a... READ MORE
Thought-provoking family drama
This is a thought-provoking novel about the damage parents can do to their children. Living in the shadow of their successful, self-made, larger-than-life ... READ MORE
Great Character Development
I have read & loved Rachel Joyce's previous books & this one didn't disappoint.
It feels different to her usual style, darker.
The reader is taken on a ... READ MORE
When a Family's Belief is Turned Upside Down
The cynical side of me thought I knew what was going to happen next in this story, but I was completely wrong. Instead of a story that I thought was about... READ MORE
Thought-provoking family drama
This is a thought-provoking novel about the damage parents can do to their children. Living in the shadow of their successful, self-made, larger-than-life ... READ MORE
Captivating characters
A really enjoyable read. All four characters were easy to like. The premise of the book - the women's search for their say in the world and their fight for... READ MORE
Great writing, but not for me
The Homemade God follows a family of three sisters and one brother falling apart following the death of their artist father after a brief love affair with ... READ MORE
Another winner from Rachel Joyce- a family saga with twists and turns that will grip you
"Once you start, time will have to keep spooling backwards, reversing everything that has happened. Because in truth so much had already been put in to p... READ MORE
A clever, funny, heartfelt novel.
I loved this clever, funny, heartfelt novel about family, sibling love and rivalry, parental neglect, trust issues, I could go on! Netta, Susan, Goose and ... READ MORE
Hopeful portrait of family dynamics
I am a big fan of Rachel Joyce’s writing and was very excited to read The Homemade God. It didn’t disappoint and it actually took me by surprise. I started... READ MORE
Engaging
An interesting insight into family dynamics.
Independent artist Vic Kemp dies in somewhat suspicious circumstances.. his offspring, Netta, Susan, Goose a... READ MORE
A Family in Freefall
The sweltering Italian sun in the second half of the novel made this the perfect choice for a heatwave! I really enjoyed this story of an unusual family an... READ MORE
Beautifully Descriptive Emotional Family Drama
I have read & loved Rachel Joyce's previous books & this one didn't disappoint.
It feels different to her usual style, darker.
The reader is taken on a ... READ MORE
another gem
This felt like a different step for Rachel, and I'm here for it.
Goose and his three sisters gather at the family's house by Lake Orta in Piedmont, Ital... READ MORE
A family implodes under the weight of truth
At the heart of this book is the sibling rivalry that stems from the emotional neglect of their bohemian, self-centered father. Set against a stifling summ... READ MORE
Impeccable vibes
This was my first read by Rachel Joyce, and wow what a beautiful place to start. The story here unfolds like a beautiful bloom, intricately interwoven as t... READ MORE
TOTALLY BRILLIANT
RACHEL JOYCE - THE HOMEMADE GOD*****
Totally brilliant, is how I would describe this book. The author of Harold Fry has excelled herself.
Set in one of t... READ MORE
Utterly brilliant, a must-read
I absolutely loved this book. The plot was very original and I really liked all the (highly dysfunctional) characters, especially the interesting sibling d... READ MORE
Beautiful, painful and joyous! Joyce picks at the seams of what it means to be family in this gorgeous book.
Vic Kemp is larger than life, booming, tall, artistic and he is a father, who somehow holds his family of 3 girls and a 1 boy together after their mother p... READ MORE
Great family drama
I loved this emotional family saga of an artist and his 4 grown up children. It reminded me of Eve Chase's The Birdcage.
Vic is widowed young and sleeps w... READ MORE
An enjoyable, satisfying read
Unlike the other books I have read by this author, this one is rather a slow burn, particularly at the start to establish characters and background. Howev... READ MORE
Captivating read
The Homemade God is a rich and captivating read that draws you in from the first to the last page.
It is the story of the four Kemp siblings who reunite... READ MORE
It’s raw, it’s real and the ending was most satisfying!
Rachel Joyce is one of my favourite authors and I thought this book was wonderful.
Her storytelling is incredible and I love the depth she brings to all h... READ MORE
Deeply reflective and very well written.
Having loved Rachel Joyce's previous books I was expecting 'The Homemade God' to be of a similar nature. This book seemed much darker to Rachel's previous ... READ MORE
A story that will stay with you
The Homemade God is one of those books that will stay with you for a long time. You'll want to race through it but you won't want to leave those strong cha... READ MORE
A touch of King Lear in this excellent father / daughters story!
There is something Learish about this story of three sisters and a slightly mad brother who lose their ageing and eccentric artist father - twice!
First... READ MORE
The Power of Love
What an amazing book! I wasn’t sure about the story at the start - 4 entitled children of a self-taught and flamboyant artist gather after his death to fin... READ MORE
Enthralling
The study of a family that initially and superficially seems to be united specifically when their elderly father announces his marriage to a much younger w... READ MORE
A mix of sadness and hope.
Artist Vic Kemp shocks his four adult children by marrying Bella-Mae, a woman 50 years younger. Soon after, Vic is found dead at his villa in Italy, and hi... READ MORE
Four siblings and their father
Artist Vic Kemp loved his children, Netta, Susan, Iris and son Goose, but found them hard to cope with after his wife died. This book is mostly about the d... READ MORE
A brilliant exploration of family ties
A family of four are devastated when their elderly father Vic, declares his intention to marry his 27-year-old lover, Bella-Mae, and decamps with her to hi... READ MORE
A good read
I enjoyed reading this tale of four siblings struggling to come to terms with their father’s death. We see each of their stories and how they interact with... READ MORE
Tense family drama in a stunning setting
Having previously read Harold Fry, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book. It turns out that it couldn’t be more different.
When a famous artist d... READ MORE
Gripping
Very nearly 5 stars but the first few chapters let it down and I began to doubt that I would finish it; however once the story took off it was totally grip... READ MORE
A tale of family love
This is essentially the story of siblings & the relationship that they have with each other & with their father. Beautifully written, I felt like I knew ea... READ MORE
A successful departure for Joyce.
For me, 'The Homemade God' feels a bit of a departure for Rachel Joyce. Previous titles that I've read have been cozy reads, with heartwarming characters. ... READ MORE
Deeply reflective and very well written.
Having loved Rachel Joyce's previous books I was expecting 'The Homemade God' to be of a similar nature. This book seemed much darker to Rachel's previous ... READ MORE
A study of childhood trauma and its lasting effect
I appreciate that Rachel Joyce is a well-regarded author but this is the first of her novels that I have read. I imagine that readers will interpret it in ... READ MORE
Beautiful writing and a compassionate exploration of relationships
Something of a departure from her previous style, content and length, this book by Rachel Joyce still has all the hallmarks of her beautiful writing, clear... READ MORE
Great read!
Rachel Joyce has spread her wings and written something completely different from her previous books - and it is a great success.
I very much enjoyed th... READ MORE
Break and remake
Vic Kemp is a successful if rather commercial artist who wants to taken seriously. He forms a relationship with a much younger woman and then marries her ... READ MORE
Complex family drama
This is a fantastic family drama but I found it quite dark which made it harder for me to engage with it. Four siblings who have a very close relationship ... READ MORE
King Lear on a Greek Island!
There is something Learish about this story of three sisters and a slightly mad brother who lose their ageing and eccentric artist father – twice!
First... READ MORE
An intricate examination of a dysfunctional family
The Homemade God is a character study of four siblings and their rose-tinted view of their father. Three sisters, Netta, Susan and Iris and their brother G... READ MORE
Wholly unexpected, delightful read
The Homemade God has the perfect holiday/beach vibe going into summer, so is well timed. And what a cracking story to enjoy. The Kemp siblings and their da... READ MORE
Family saga and mystery
I loved this book and the characters Netta, Susan, Goose and Iris will stay with me. This is a hopeful family saga, how those closest to us can be the furt... READ MORE
Well Written but Anticipated More
I had some mixed feelings on this book which is a shame because I really wanted to like it wholeheartedly.
It is definitely a parent/siblings relationsh... READ MORE
Some family aren't worth the trouble
The Homemade God by Rachel Joyce
Long ago, artist Vic was married to the mother of his four children, and he pretty much just kept on with his pre marri... READ MORE
Mysterious and drolly fun
The four grown Kemps, children of a world famous artist, are shocked when their father Vic elopes with his new fiancée, fifty years his junior, and further... READ MORE
Absorbing and emotional
Having enjoyed the previous novels I have read by Rachel Joyce I was keen to read her latest offering 'The Homemade God'
The protagonists are four sibli... READ MORE
Fantastic writing
A wonderful story of a close knit but dangerously close to fracture family and the events leading to its fall. Vic, the father is marrying a younger woman ... READ MORE
Not what I was expecting but still a good story
Not quite what I was expecting from a Rachel Joyce - this isn't the usual comfy, cosy read that I was expecting but much more deep and detailed.
This i... READ MORE
Beautifully written complex novel about love grief jealousy and redemption
The Homemade God - Rachel Joyce to be published 17 April 2025
This is the story of the four Kemp siblings and life with their flamboyant chaotic artist ... READ MORE
This brilliant novel might be Rachel Joyce’s best yet.
The Homemade God is the seventh novel by award-winning, best-selling British author, Rachel Joyce. When their seventy-six-year-old father, self-taught arti... READ MORE
Brilliant
Four siblings—Netta, Susan, Goose, and Iris—are the main characters of this novel. They were 'raised' by their father, a famous artist with dubious fame an... READ MORE
Too slow for me
When popular artist Vic kemp drowns in a lake near his holiday villa in Italy with his new much younger wife Bella Mae. His son and three sisters arrive to... READ MORE
Just Wonderful
Rachel Joyce is one of my favourite authors and I thought this book was wonderful.
Her storytelling is incredible and I love the depth she brings to all h... READ MORE
A special book
The Homemade God by Rachel Joyce is a family saga, and what a family. I emersed myself in the life of the Kemp family for days and didn’t want to come up f... READ MORE
Fantastic!
The Homemade God by Rachel Joyce
Vic Kemp, famous artist, marries much younger woman Bella-Mae and decamps to the family's summer home on Lake Orta in I... READ MORE
Hard work
I’ve enjoyed all of Rachel Joyce’s previous books. She’s adept at exploring the human psyche in an engaging and often intimate way. Her characters are co... READ MORE
What a set of brilliant characters
The Homemade God is an extremely accomplished novel about a family falling apart.
Netta , Goose, Susan and Iris appear to be the closest of siblings. Rai... READ MORE
Five stars!
The Homemade God is a captivating and emotionally resonant book that explores the complexities of family, legacy, and the fragility of relationships. Set a... READ MORE
Family secrets will come out
Siblings Netta, Susan, Goose and Iris are close and very close to their artist Dad, Vic.
When he meets up with them to tell them he has a much younger gir... READ MORE
Compelling family relationships
When famous artist Vic Kemp suddenly becomes involved with a much younger woman, his four children are at first sceptical and then worried about her influ... READ MORE
Very moving account of growing up in the shadows of a dominant father
All the love and suffocation of a large family growing up at odds with each other. A dominant father who is fixed on being an artist rather than a dad, and... READ MORE
Interesting Thoughts
It was a good book and the imagery was lovely. It was the concept of sibling rivalry and how even as we age it still exists in families and that parents ar... READ MORE
Verified Purchase
The Homemade God
⭐️ 3 ⭐️
I’m a big fan of Rachel Joyce’s work; I’ve enjoyed most of her books – The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is one of my all-time favourites. It ... READ MORE