Reviews tagging 'Infertility'

Rozmowy z przyjaciółmi by Sally Rooney

274 reviews

beloved_bridget's review against another edition

emotional

4.25

one thing about sally rooney is that she is never going to give you the ending you want

I'm kind of obsessed with the way she writes women and their bodies. Both Marianne and Frances have such ugly views of their bodies and abuse them to, I think, present a physical symptom of their emotional distress (not to say that their self harm and starvation is a performance of their mental suffering for other people! because I don't think it's that at all and that gets too close to “oh they’re just doing it for attention” which is just very reductive and harmful. it's more like a private expression) and they're obviously different characters but there were many times specifically when Frances was talking about her body that I was reminded of Marianne

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness and Self harm

Moderate: Addiction, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, and Infertility

ssaammii's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

They never stop talking and yet say so little. So many conversations yet such poor communication. Pages of reflection and yet personal stagnation is the result. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Infidelity, and Self harm

Minor: Infertility

sherlene_06's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

As someone with strict morals especially regarding relationships, this book seemed very challenging in that aspect. It claimed that sleeping with a married man was not "wrong" per se. And the Bible references were a bit off-putting as a Christian but I understand the literary impact it was making. 
I never really got some of the actions of certain characters, but Frances' actions made so much sense to me, she was doing things I would do (minus the homewrecker part).

I didn't know what the book was trying to convey, I kept looking for some signs until I realised that the "mundane" of the book was the message, the feelings, the behaviours and the life full of challenges.
It was not my cup of tea, but still a readable book. All vibes and no plot kinda. I liked it. Not so much though.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity

Minor: Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Blood

emmmmmaaa's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective tense 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Chronic illness, Infertility, Self harm, Sexual content, and Blood

chris_reads's review against another edition

challenging emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Infidelity, and Classism

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Medical content

Minor: Alcoholism, Drug use, and Infertility

samcanuel's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective 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

3.5

As with the other Sally Rooney books I’ve read, I am deeply haunted by this book. Rooney’s prose is absolutely beautiful and somehow makes up for how much I hate all of the characters. Life is messy, as is this book. Check the trigger warnings!!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Cursing, Infidelity, Self harm, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Medical content, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Infertility, Pedophilia, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Vomit, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy

rebeccaehockin's review against another edition

reflective tense slow-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

3.0

I loved Sally Rooney’s other books but this one fell flat for me.  Although I think this is likely the point, I found the protagonist entitled and bland and the relationships boring.  Perhaps I was not in the mood for this kind of book!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infertility and Mental illness

owenwilsonbaby's review against another edition

dark reflective tense 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? It's complicated

4.75

‘After that I put some cold water on my face and dried it, the same face I had always had, the one I would have until I died.’

I get it guys! I get it. Her written voice is compelling. Even when things got repetitive, I still found the character voices and emotional atmosphere absorbing. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Biphobia, Child abuse, Cursing, Gore, Infertility, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Minor: Miscarriage and Pregnancy

harriethornshaw's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism

Minor: Infertility, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts

beigelace's review against another edition

dark informative reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, and Self harm

Moderate: Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Infertility, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcohol

Minor: Miscarriage and Blood