pasteli's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
This is my second Sally Rooney book because I'm trying to understand the hype. By the end of this book, my indifference has turned to outright dislike.
Sally Rooney is Taylor Swift for readers.
Blah, boring, overhyped, need I say more?
She seems to feel the need to comment about communism in each of her books that I've read, but in a way that makes me suspect she learned about it through instagram accounts instead of reading political theory. She keeps saying 'communism would work but we're all too busy trying to fuck each other for it to be realistic' (not a direct quote, what she implies in her writing). Suffice to say its a very white privilege, first world, white feminism understanding of a political ideology. Plus, her characters that claim to be communist never engage in politics! They claim membership for moral superiority and to appear like a good person. Barf.
I also need to address her "queer" characters. Yes, I put it in quotes. Because her queer characters are written like the straightest cishets I've ever encountered. Maybe they're suffering from internalized homophobia, maybe Sally is writing characters with these traits to gain social justice points. I suspect it's the latter, and her point of discussing communism falling under the same reasoning.
Also, the sexual dynamics in this book...big oof. *CW SEXUAL ASSAULT*
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
At one point a female character moves a male character's hand to her throat and asks him to choke and hit her, and then when the male character is disturbed by it says she doesn't even know why she did that? Like bro, WHAT. There's also this female character's obsession about being his wife and how she would take care of him and clean the house and fuck him good when he comes home... it's all veeeery patriarchal and there's no exploration as to why she may feel that way/feel inclined to serve the patriarchy. She says she feels comforted when he takes control and wishes that he would control her whole life because it makes her feel safe. Needless to say this girl has a lot of problems and it's written in a way that doesn't really present it as problematic.
If I had to give Sally a complement, I'd say this: Sally Rooney is excellent at writing unlikeable, dare I say hateable characters. So if hate reading is your thing, this author may appeal to you. But personally I'm going to return to reading things that have literary value.
Sally Rooney is Taylor Swift for readers.
Blah, boring, overhyped, need I say more?
She seems to feel the need to comment about communism in each of her books that I've read, but in a way that makes me suspect she learned about it through instagram accounts instead of reading political theory. She keeps saying 'communism would work but we're all too busy trying to fuck each other for it to be realistic' (not a direct quote, what she implies in her writing). Suffice to say its a very white privilege, first world, white feminism understanding of a political ideology. Plus, her characters that claim to be communist never engage in politics! They claim membership for moral superiority and to appear like a good person. Barf.
I also need to address her "queer" characters. Yes, I put it in quotes. Because her queer characters are written like the straightest cishets I've ever encountered. Maybe they're suffering from internalized homophobia, maybe Sally is writing characters with these traits to gain social justice points. I suspect it's the latter, and her point of discussing communism falling under the same reasoning.
Also, the sexual dynamics in this book...big oof. *CW SEXUAL ASSAULT*
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
At one point a female character moves a male character's hand to her throat and asks him to choke and hit her, and then when the male character is disturbed by it says she doesn't even know why she did that? Like bro, WHAT. There's also this female character's obsession about being his wife and how she would take care of him and clean the house and fuck him good when he comes home... it's all veeeery patriarchal and there's no exploration as to why she may feel that way/feel inclined to serve the patriarchy. She says she feels comforted when he takes control and wishes that he would control her whole life because it makes her feel safe. Needless to say this girl has a lot of problems and it's written in a way that doesn't really present it as problematic.
If I had to give Sally a complement, I'd say this: Sally Rooney is excellent at writing unlikeable, dare I say hateable characters. So if hate reading is your thing, this author may appeal to you. But personally I'm going to return to reading things that have literary value.
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual violence
thistle_clover's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
2.5
I'm glad to say I actually finished a book by Sally Rooney.
I'm glad to say I didn't dnf it.
However. There's a bit that's questionable in the last chapter. I'm not sure if I misunderstood, but I know this book was meant to challenge our thinking (or something...?), but... questionable. I also wasn't a fan of the relation of quarantine, though I can appreciate the reference and how it's affected people. I would like to escape in my books, not be reminded of our society - the book was trying to tell us life is changeable. Maybe my opinion will change when I'm 29 if I'm still reading as a hobby and not consumed by a job I don't like. (This book is bringing out the worst of me, I apologize! I'm glad it's over in a way. It wasn't relieving to finish, though.)
I'm glad to say I didn't dnf it.
However. There's a bit that's questionable in the last chapter. I'm not sure if I misunderstood, but I know this book was meant to challenge our thinking (or something...?), but... questionable. I also wasn't a fan of the relation of quarantine, though I can appreciate the reference and how it's affected people. I would like to escape in my books, not be reminded of our society - the book was trying to tell us life is changeable. Maybe my opinion will change when I'm 29 if I'm still reading as a hobby and not consumed by a job I don't like. (This book is bringing out the worst of me, I apologize! I'm glad it's over in a way. It wasn't relieving to finish, though.)
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Drug use, Sexual content, and Sexual assault
abmochapman's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Sally Rooney always manages to write beautifully intricate relationships that, though often messy, are so compelling. I am thankful for this look into the lives of these four characters as they navigate love, sex, friendship, work, and the world around them.
What I appreciate most about Beautiful World, though, is the tension it allows between the contemporary novel and the impending collapse of civilization (at least as we know it). The conversations between these friends are so insightful as they give space to some of our generation’s most pressing thoughts from morality and aesthetics to climate change and global capitalism.
I’m not sure if I can say that I’m completely satisfied with its ending, but this book definitely feels like a one to which I will have to return.
What I appreciate most about Beautiful World, though, is the tension it allows between the contemporary novel and the impending collapse of civilization (at least as we know it). The conversations between these friends are so insightful as they give space to some of our generation’s most pressing thoughts from morality and aesthetics to climate change and global capitalism.
I’m not sure if I can say that I’m completely satisfied with its ending, but this book definitely feels like a one to which I will have to return.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault and Suicidal thoughts
meredith_williams_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, and Chronic illness
haleyscomet_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
katieamelia's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Mental illness and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Abortion, Pregnancy, and Sexual assault
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
More...