redroseses's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
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
marc00's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
boogiebeez's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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
3.5
I can't help comparing all of Sally Rooney's books to each other, though I'm unsure if I should. So far, my least favorite has been Conversations with Friends, but I can't decide if I liked this book more or less than Normal People. What I can say is that this book was tender and introspective, exploring the deepest crevices of relationship dynamics in the modern age. I found Felix to be a sort of Nick Carroway, observing these dynamics, which is why throughout the book he has grown to be my favorite character. The email portions were cool ways of developing on themes outside of the main plots between Alice and Felix and Eileen and Simon, and they revealed more about the characters than the remainder of the novel, in my opinion. I really only feel like the book got better around Lola's wedding, so before that I was sorta bored. Also I realized I am not a sex scene girly (at least not Sally Rooney sex scenes)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Emotional abuse
bookocean's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
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
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
ericispublius's review against another edition
dark
emotional
relaxing
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual content
Moderate: Pregnancy
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.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Drug use, Sexual content, and Sexual assault
sarahgordon327's review against another edition
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
4.0
Sally Rooney writes in a very effortless way, and it’s easy to get swept away into the lives of the 4 main characters. I found myself cheering for them all at certain times or getting frustrated with them during other parts. A story about human connection - the good, the bad, and the beautiful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism and Drug use