A review by clairebartholomew549
The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue

emotional funny reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I tore through this book. My friend from book club described this book as very Dolly Alderton-esque (which is the highest of compliments considering how much I adored Ghosts and Dolly's writing), and it really, really was. O'Donoghue perfectly captures the tumult of being a 21-year-old and the chaos of growing up during the 2008 recession, and, like Dolly, Rachel's moods and depression and general discomfort with herself come through so clearly. This book felt instantly familiar to me in the way it depicted how powerful friendship can feel in your early twenties and how devastating relationships can be, and the plot didn't go anywhere I expected it to, which I always appreciate. There are so few books that really capture the millennial female experience, and I felt warmed by this book throughout.
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