A review by ophillya
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney

emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Rooney hase a way of creating male characters that respond to the female gaze almost with clockwork precission. Nick, although coming off as dominating and intimidating, is a sweet and gentle soul who is tired ofbeing pitied and is searching fora companion who will just see right through him. Although I will not stand here and say this was absolutely phenomenal (there were some things about the book that irked me, starting with the main character) I can't fault it for depicting real life contradictions and the complicated tangle that is the human mind and soul. 

I missed the different POV system Rooney uses in Normal People, which make her stories that much more dynamic. 

Another bonus is how much I adore Rooney's theme of power. How she defines and uses power in her texts. Sexual, monetary, romantic, patriarcal power all in a tug-of-war scenario through the pages, but only visible if you squint.

Iwill be checking Rooney's new projects.
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