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A review by reed_with_read
You Have to Make Your Own Fun Around Here by Frances Macken
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Summary: We follow Katie's perspective as she grows up in rural Ireland alongside her two best friends, Evelyn and Maeve, in a fairly toxic trio. The small town is hit with a tragedy during the girls' teen years, that continues to lurk in the background as they grow up. Katie eventually follows her dream of moving to Dublin after school, which sets up a new dynamic within the friends group.
Review:
Irish authors just seem to know how to write subtle but deep stories (although I never could get into Sally Rooney. Perhaps I need to revisit her work and try again?).
Maybe it is my English origins, but I love a good realistic portrayal of people's flaws and gritty personalities.
That is to say - I am not sure you will actually like anyone in this story.
Except for Maeve, who you might just feel bad for like I did, as she seems to be too passive for her own good and so at the mercy of pretty much everyone in her life.
The relationship between the three girls develops as they grow older, but as it was set in the foundations of teenagehood, its toxic characteristics have set its foundations.
Katie seems to not even like Evelyn and yet is deeply drawn to her, in an immature desperation to either find Evelyn's approval or make her feel beneath Katie.
This hyper-focus on social hierarchy continues to plague Katie as she leaves the small town for the big city.
The disappearance of a teenage girl early in the story, never really becomes the main plot.
And yet it is so embedded in every person in the town, even Katie, that each one of them is changed forever.
Whether they realise it or not.
Years after the event, it is still lurking in small details that trickle out.
If you love bleak, gritty, realistic portrayals of life, and don't mind not really liking anyone in the story - this is absolutely a good hit for you.
Subtext and subtlety abound with this one.
Review:
Irish authors just seem to know how to write subtle but deep stories (although I never could get into Sally Rooney. Perhaps I need to revisit her work and try again?).
Maybe it is my English origins, but I love a good realistic portrayal of people's flaws and gritty personalities.
That is to say - I am not sure you will actually like anyone in this story.
Except for Maeve, who you might just feel bad for like I did, as she seems to be too passive for her own good and so at the mercy of pretty much everyone in her life.
The relationship between the three girls develops as they grow older, but as it was set in the foundations of teenagehood, its toxic characteristics have set its foundations.
Katie seems to not even like Evelyn and yet is deeply drawn to her, in an immature desperation to either find Evelyn's approval or make her feel beneath Katie.
This hyper-focus on social hierarchy continues to plague Katie as she leaves the small town for the big city.
The disappearance of a teenage girl early in the story, never really becomes the main plot.
And yet it is so embedded in every person in the town, even Katie, that each one of them is changed forever.
Whether they realise it or not.
Years after the event, it is still lurking in small details that trickle out.
If you love bleak, gritty, realistic portrayals of life, and don't mind not really liking anyone in the story - this is absolutely a good hit for you.
Subtext and subtlety abound with this one.