sorkka's review against another edition
A book of long letters between the protagonists that indulge in narcissism, existential angst and masochistic tendencies. Hypocritical commentary on communism and capitalism from the judgemental characters that never try to do anything to improve the society they complain about. The dynamic between Simon and Eileen was so uncomfortable to read about!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Mental illness
kajasversion's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-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? No
5.0
Now that i have finished it, looking back on it, it doesn’t seem like a stand out story, but it just resonated and spoke to a deep part of me and i genuinely love it so dearly. I can’t wait to read it again.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Mental illness
currently_introverting's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Pandemic/Epidemic
gretabart8's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
relaxing
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Mental illness and Suicidal thoughts
laurabunnett's review against another edition
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
I found this book pretty boring an uninteresting. Every character had their own set of "issues", but these were largely unexplored. Why did Alice's mother and brother dislike her? What was the cause of her nervous breakdown?
Also, way too much sex scenes, especially as I was listening to the audio reading of this. Listening to an Irish woman describe mediocre sex between two mediocre characters was unnerving and far too often for my liking. I felt these scenes never really contributed to the plot either.
Also, way too much sex scenes, especially as I was listening to the audio reading of this. Listening to an Irish woman describe mediocre sex between two mediocre characters was unnerving and far too often for my liking. I felt these scenes never really contributed to the plot either.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Sexual harassment, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Abortion, Self harm, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Pandemic/Epidemic
rayyanmz's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I found this book could help for those in needs and in the same situation of the characters. The email exchange between Eileen and Alice is something that I look forward in each chapter and their relationship seems better in the emails rather than face to face because they tend to resent each other and bicker but not in the emails. Maybe I see friendship as people supporting each other and be understanding, uplifting instead of bickering (it's allowed at certain extent not all the time). After all we are seeking solace from ourselves by extending our hands in friendship aren't we?
The self-indulge character of Alice as a mental health survivor, I observe the same from those around me and I think people that struggle with mental health issue should try reading this book as it'll subtly nuance their behaviours from surrounding people point of view. I'm not blaming them, the issue itself is particularly a challenge for them but sometimes they need to get out of their head to carry on with life.
The self-indulge character of Alice as a mental health survivor, I observe the same from those around me and I think people that struggle with mental health issue should try reading this book as it'll subtly nuance their behaviours from surrounding people point of view. I'm not blaming them, the issue itself is particularly a challenge for them but sometimes they need to get out of their head to carry on with life.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
lizziaha's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
3.75
I appreciate sally rooney’s commitment to reality in the telling of this story. and I have to acknowledge that she writes characters that I relate to so deeply it’s uncomfortable. but the reality of it, while rendering it very thought-provoking at points, makes it boring at points.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Sexual content, Drug use, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Death of parent
Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic, Child abuse, Chronic illness, and Abortion
pomifer's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Suicidal thoughts
emilyelysian's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Vomit, Death of parent, Pandemic/Epidemic, Grief, and Drug use
plumdustsuns's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
2.0
Spoiler
I HATED Felix so much. Maybe I still do. I actually had to stop reading because his abusive, manipulative, putting down behaviour triggered me so much. And then he sort of did an 180 after the party and I was like… hmm… was he being cruel to avoid his own feelings then? But still does that mean we excuse him? I don’t know. I just think Alice deserves better (much like that fan she mentions by the end, haha). And it seems like he has improved but… 😡I like Simon, I believe, but Rooney’s choice with the age gap with him and Eileen made me SO UNCOMFORTABLE. Yes, they’re both older now but it was insinuated that he had these feelings since she was young even though he didn’t act on it.
I’m not sure if I feel the best towards Eileen, though. While I understand her, she also undermined Alice’s work and mental health a lot and I don’t think that was fair or nice of a friend to do. Especially as someone who’s also in the literary field, it’s a little hypocritical.
But I’ve liked reading Rooney’s work so far (just read this and Normal People though). I like how she is able to portray the everyday life and the ‘seemingly mundane’ as dramatically and importantly as it feels. The ending of this felt a lot better and less sterile than that of Normal People’s (the book, at least).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Pandemic/Epidemic, Toxic relationship, Classism, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Gaslighting, Suicide, and Toxic friendship