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merksdirdoch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship
lucykateburns's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
The novel is very character focused and that is another reason I found it enjoyable. Rooney's characters are flawed and realistic, although at times they were quite pretentious. I did not really mind reading, and related to the contents of, the girls email exchanges regarding more philosophical questions (that said, some of them really did not hit for me), but the many interactions between Felix and Alice were difficult to read. I found myself rooting a lot more for Eileen and Simon.
I believe 20-somethings would enjoy this book, as it addresses a lot of the existential questions that are associated with truly coming into adulthood. It made me feel a bit better to hear some of the impotence the characters felt when considering global capitalism and when recognising their privilege. For that, and some other comments made on other topics, I did feel like I could be friends with them. I liked the overall sentiment that what matters most is human connection, and being concerned with those around us, and I am glad that this encompassed what I understand to be the three main types of relationships; family, friends and lovers.
There were some really funny and some really insightful moments, so I would recommend this as a fairly light read and it really is a nice delve into someone else's understanding of the modern world! I do not think this is the greatest literary production of our time, but I don't think it is aiming to be. It does not require much thought or analysis to appreciate in its entirety. Everything is laid out for the reader to easily consume, which is a merit to Rooney's writing and its clarity!
Trigger Warning
The novel contains a lot of sexual content, which borders on being pornographic. Although this is not in itself negative, some chapters could cause discomfort to readers trigger by sexual descriptions - especially when dealing with the problematic daddy/princess kink.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Abortion, Alcohol, Blood, Confinement, Drug use, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Infidelity, Self harm, and Toxic friendship
kizzy'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
1.75
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Mental illness, Drug use, Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, and Self harm
occasionalreader25's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
nienora's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Mental illness
Minor: Alcoholism and Pregnancy
claragweny's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Biphobia, Bullying, Chronic illness, Drug use, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Self harm, and Sexual content
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Xenophobia
genevievecollum's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Death of parent, and Cursing
storykath's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Mental illness and Sexual content
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Self harm, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Abortion, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Blood, and Drug use
saphirabloom's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Sexual content, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Death of parent, Drug use, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Abortion, Pregnancy, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Sexual violence, and Panic attacks/disorders
alexan007's review against another edition
- 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
2.25
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, and Death of parent