In Again, Rachel, Rachel Walsh works as a councillor at "The Cloisters" helping clients acknowledge their addiction issues and hopefully lead a meaningful life again. She is in a new relationship and her own life appears to be in a good place. Then she receives a phone call alerting her to the funeral of her former mother-in-law and she needs to decide whether or not she should attend. In the events that subsequently occur the reader learns of past challenges in Rachels's life including her marriage to Luke, the loss of their child, Rachel's lapse into addition and the break-up of the marriage.
During the novel we meet a variety of Rachel's clients and how they cope, or do not cope, with their addiction issues. Parallel to this is Rachel's story as her life threatens to unravel as she not only recalls past tragic events but gradually realises that her original interpretation of past events may not be correct.
The novel tackles serious issues including alcoholism and drug addiction as well as the loss of a baby. Some sections of the book may therfore be confronting if the reader has experienced similar issues, however Rachel has a support network of councillors, family and friends ready to give her support.
Family relationships is another major theme of the novel and the interactions between members of the Walsh family usually provides a series of humorous situations, particularly the family meetings arranged by the mother to organise her 'surprise' birthday party.
Generally I enjoyed this journey into Rachel's world though at 577 pages, in my opinion, it was too long.
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