Scan barcode
abbywriwri's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I love this author’s writing she writes character’s personalities so well. There is a sharp exact way to her writing even when she is writing about emotional topics she stays exact and succinct. I loved the characters and their flaws and personalities. I enjoyed the book but felt the ending was so sudden.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic, Panic attacks/disorders, Classism, Mental illness, Toxic friendship, Bullying, Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, and Drug use
lucielockettreads's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Why did the characters like actually learn lessons SO late into the book. What. I should’ve done my research because tbh I don’t follow a religion and the religious content of this book was too unrelatable and needed more for me
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Drug use, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
jeslis's review against another edition
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
clairew97's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Abortion, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Pandemic/Epidemic, Drug use, and Emotional abuse
ellaford's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is my favourite release from Sally Rooney yet. The way this is written gives so much yet leaves so much for interpretation, and her magic with describing emotional complexities we all feel is just amazing. This book is funny, dark, sexy, reflective and a great commentary on the state of the world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Mental illness
Moderate: Self harm, Biphobia, Classism, Toxic friendship, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, Self harm, and Adult/minor relationship
sina4books's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Pregnancy
adelleamor's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
i typically hate when media talks about the pandemic but the last two chapters of e-mail exchanges were beautiful
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
annas_bookshelf_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Quite thought provoking - almost sent me into a little existential crisis about life and the world and relationships. For a book that feels mostly character driven, I’m not sure how exactly I feel about the characters - I didn’t love them, but I didn’t hate them either.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Mental illness
simranpahwa's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
This book put me in a reading slump for all of April and I’ll never forgive it for that. I truly hope Normal People is better cause I’ve already bought the book 🫠 I understand the hype around this book but not sure if I really enjoyed it. The smut was so random but lowkey the best part of the book LOL. I don’t think the author did a great job at describing the physical characteristics of the characters because I never really had a clear picture of what any of them looked like, except for Simon, who I pictured as a combo of Ed Speelers and Ansel Elgort (except blonde). Also Felix… literally what was the point of having him in this novel. He was giving nothingggg. Dude needs to go to a therapist, but then don’t we all 🤣
Overall was a meh book for me…
Overall was a meh book for me…
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Death of parent
itsreirei's review against another edition
2.5
This book is the end result if one decides to write down the imaginary conversations in ones head. (Which I presume is what happened here)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Suicidal thoughts