A review by jeslis
Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Notes:
- This one might be my least favourite of Sally Rooney's books — but definitely more about my own personal preferences and expectations going in to this one than her writing.
- I felt like her commentaries on first-world countries and capitalism were very overt which wasn't my favourite. I think I could've just read a non-fiction book if I wanted that style.
- Also the celebrity/author culture commentary felt very much like a self-projection from Rooney, and whether or not it was or wasn't, it just took me out of the story and depth for me personally.
- Wished that the four characters had interacted all together a bit sooner than they did too.
- That said, some of the prose and ideas in the email chapters were really great to read! And I did enjoy the way Rooney writes characters and their dynamic relationships with one another (especially Simon!) — I just think she did it much better in Conversations With Friends.
- This one might be my least favourite of Sally Rooney's books — but definitely more about my own personal preferences and expectations going in to this one than her writing.
- I felt like her commentaries on first-world countries and capitalism were very overt which wasn't my favourite. I think I could've just read a non-fiction book if I wanted that style.
- Also the celebrity/author culture commentary felt very much like a self-projection from Rooney, and whether or not it was or wasn't, it just took me out of the story and depth for me personally.
- Wished that the four characters had interacted all together a bit sooner than they did too.
- That said, some of the prose and ideas in the email chapters were really great to read! And I did enjoy the way Rooney writes characters and their dynamic relationships with one another (especially Simon!) — I just think she did it much better in Conversations With Friends.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Mental illness