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samarakroeger's review
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I’m glad I finally read this! It became a mashed potato book because I didn’t want to exhaust my Sally Rooney supply or read it in the wrong mood or something.
Sukie, the narrator of Mr. Salary, is a classic Rooney protagonist. She has the same darkly cynical self-deprecating sense of humor as Frances. Lots of insecure attachment style present, as well as the expected parental issues (Marianne) and predilection for older men (Sukie and Nathan are by far the most similar to Eileen and Simon).
Like all of her work, this principally examines the intersection of money and class with sex and relationships, all of which have to do with power dynamics.
Knowing that this predates all of her published novels gives some insight on how Rooney has evolved as a writer, too. This is written in a style very similar to Convos with Friends (first person with more figurative language use). The similes in here were odd and unique.
I wish this was a lot longer - there’s a lot packed into a small story but Rooney could have explored it all in a lot more depth given a longer page count.
Sukie, the narrator of Mr. Salary, is a classic Rooney protagonist. She has the same darkly cynical self-deprecating sense of humor as Frances. Lots of insecure attachment style present, as well as the expected parental issues (Marianne) and predilection for older men (Sukie and Nathan are by far the most similar to Eileen and Simon).
Like all of her work, this principally examines the intersection of money and class with sex and relationships, all of which have to do with power dynamics.
Knowing that this predates all of her published novels gives some insight on how Rooney has evolved as a writer, too. This is written in a style very similar to Convos with Friends (first person with more figurative language use). The similes in here were odd and unique.
I wish this was a lot longer - there’s a lot packed into a small story but Rooney could have explored it all in a lot more depth given a longer page count.
Graphic: Cancer, Terminal illness, and Medical content
Moderate: Suicide
nzmerchant's review
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Cancer, Medical content, and Death of parent
Moderate: Drug abuse
Minor: Drug use and Sexual content
venetiana's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Minor: Cancer, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Medical content, Dementia, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol
vixenreader's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
It is quiet, but devastating.
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Terminal illness, and Grief
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Medical content, and Death of parent
Minor: Classism
There is sexual tension between a twenty-four year old and a thirty-eight year old, as well as a theme is nihilism permeating throughout the story.thatswhatshanread's review
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
As a huge fan of Sally Rooney, I really enjoyed this little short story. It had the same essence of all of her other writings, and wasn’t boring. However, I was expecting more for the price. Still, it makes for a cool little collector’s item!
Minor: Sexual content and Medical content
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