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A review by columnclub
Promising Young Women by Caroline O'Donoghue
5.0
This is a really clever book. The author obviously really understands the kind of dynamics at play in the workplace and outside of it, and the way she picks these apart is deeply relevant, and important. It's not a bitter novel, or one that makes a point just to labour it: its cynicism is balanced out by the strength of the plot, and more importantly, by how brilliant a lot of the women are - in realistic ways, not trite ones. The relationships between these women are also given depth and nuance, particularly towards the end, which really strengthened the book for me.
It's also funny. Painfully funny, at times. A book like this needed to be up to date, and it really feels it. In parts it was weird, but it worked - I wouldn't go so far as to call it magical realism (probably more symbolism?) but I liked that it got dark, and a bit alarming. The Jolly Politely blog also really worked - it was a source of humour, then tension, and finally understanding. It was also probably the best insight into Jane herself.
This is also the first book I've ever read that shows a realistic relationship between a daughter and her single mother. I have a single mother myself, and it was so touching and refreshing to have that be a part of the story. Being a single parent is absolutely the right choice in some situations, and Promising Young Women understands that. (This was really a pretty minor part of the book, but I absolutely loved it.)
On the whole, this book is really intelligent, and that isn't let down by the plot or the characters. I was really impressed by it, and I think it's well worth a read, especially for young women.
It's also funny. Painfully funny, at times. A book like this needed to be up to date, and it really feels it. In parts it was weird, but it worked - I wouldn't go so far as to call it magical realism (probably more symbolism?) but I liked that it got dark, and a bit alarming. The Jolly Politely blog also really worked - it was a source of humour, then tension, and finally understanding. It was also probably the best insight into Jane herself.
This is also the first book I've ever read that shows a realistic relationship between a daughter and her single mother. I have a single mother myself, and it was so touching and refreshing to have that be a part of the story. Being a single parent is absolutely the right choice in some situations, and Promising Young Women understands that. (This was really a pretty minor part of the book, but I absolutely loved it.)
On the whole, this book is really intelligent, and that isn't let down by the plot or the characters. I was really impressed by it, and I think it's well worth a read, especially for young women.