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sarahh87's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Cursing
Moderate: Infertility, Sexual content, Miscarriage, Abortion, Alcohol, and Toxic relationship
kkozzz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"The Rachel Incident" offers an exploration of human complexity, reminiscent of Sally Rooney's narrative style, delving into themes of class, relationships, sexuality, and self-identity.
Set against the backdrop of Cork City and University College Cork, Ireland, the novel skillfully intertwines these thematic elements, inviting readers on a profound voyeuristic journey through the lives of its characters. For those familiar with Cork City, the novel offers a nostalgic journey through familiar streets, coupled with a sense of specified time and place.
The novel delves into the intricacies of sexuality in the late 2000s/early 2010s, portraying the fluidity and nuances of desire with sensitivity and insight to the social climate of the time. O'Donogue examines the intersections of identity, desire, and societal expectations, offering a heartbreaking portrayal of a LGBTQ+ sexual awakening and self-discovery. As the narrative unravels, readers are drawn into the lives of its characters with remarkable authenticity.
"The Rachel Incident" unfolds against the backdrop of the 2008 economic crash, further enriching the narrative with financial uncertainty and societal upheaval. The characters grapple with their own personal struggles and aspirations, highlighting the profound impact of external economic forces on individual lives of various socioeconomic castes.
Central to the novel's narrative are its deeply human characters, whose struggles and triumphs resonate with raw honesty. Readers are offered a glimpse into the complexities of the human condition, where moments of connection and understanding are juxtaposed with moments of poignant heartache and longing.
In essence, "The Rachel Incident" is a masterfully crafted exploration of the everyday, exemplifying how people move freely in and out of one another’s lives throughout various eras of the human experience, leaving ripple effects behind for the rest of time on those they’ve touched.
With its compelling narrative and vivid setting, this novel stands as a testament to Caroline O'Donogue's talent as a storyteller, leaving readers deeply moved and profoundly affected by the lives of its characters while weaving together themes of class, relationships, sexuality, and economic upheaval into a look at the tragedy and beauty of human experience and relationships.
Set against the backdrop of Cork City and University College Cork, Ireland, the novel skillfully intertwines these thematic elements, inviting readers on a profound voyeuristic journey through the lives of its characters. For those familiar with Cork City, the novel offers a nostalgic journey through familiar streets, coupled with a sense of specified time and place.
The novel delves into the intricacies of sexuality in the late 2000s/early 2010s, portraying the fluidity and nuances of desire with sensitivity and insight to the social climate of the time. O'Donogue examines the intersections of identity, desire, and societal expectations, offering a heartbreaking portrayal of a LGBTQ+ sexual awakening and self-discovery. As the narrative unravels, readers are drawn into the lives of its characters with remarkable authenticity.
"The Rachel Incident" unfolds against the backdrop of the 2008 economic crash, further enriching the narrative with financial uncertainty and societal upheaval. The characters grapple with their own personal struggles and aspirations, highlighting the profound impact of external economic forces on individual lives of various socioeconomic castes.
Central to the novel's narrative are its deeply human characters, whose struggles and triumphs resonate with raw honesty. Readers are offered a glimpse into the complexities of the human condition, where moments of connection and understanding are juxtaposed with moments of poignant heartache and longing.
In essence, "The Rachel Incident" is a masterfully crafted exploration of the everyday, exemplifying how people move freely in and out of one another’s lives throughout various eras of the human experience, leaving ripple effects behind for the rest of time on those they’ve touched.
With its compelling narrative and vivid setting, this novel stands as a testament to Caroline O'Donogue's talent as a storyteller, leaving readers deeply moved and profoundly affected by the lives of its characters while weaving together themes of class, relationships, sexuality, and economic upheaval into a look at the tragedy and beauty of human experience and relationships.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Abortion, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism
cassiebartelme's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This is a book about love and friendship and messiness of young adulthood. I listened to the audiobook and was really sucked into the messy lives of the characters and their story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Miscarriage
Moderate: Infidelity
bethantg's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Definitely has friendship and relationships at its heart, with some interesting discussions about the grey areas of these relationships. My favourite aspect of this was the focus on how different people express their care for one another in unconventional ways, or how their struggle to show it at all. But for a character-focused book, the protagonist is massively lacking. She is only really defined by her actions, which she’s often unhappy with, but offers no introspection into these actions other than “I did a bad thing and I feel bad about it.” She also does nothing to rectify these mistakes or grow from them — if they’re resolved, it’s a matter of chance or another character’s decision. (Carey for the former and Deenie for the latter.) Her older self is not a character at all, more of a vessel that the story happens to.
Despite this gripe, this is well-written and an interesting coming-of-age story that just unfortunately didn’t really resonate with me on many points.
Despite this gripe, this is well-written and an interesting coming-of-age story that just unfortunately didn’t really resonate with me on many points.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Infidelity, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Abortion, Cancer, and Sexual content
Minor: Homophobia and Infertility
aliciawithoutkeys's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage and Abortion
Moderate: Sexual content
barbarella85's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage
Minor: Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, Infertility, Abortion, Homophobia, Biphobia, and Sexual content
kirstenw13's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
So good, so sweet. There were twists, there were turns. There were besties and their woes. A great book about friendship, what love can mean, the publishing industry and abortion access in Ireland in the early 2010s.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Homophobia, and Sexual content
Minor: Cursing, Terminal illness, Blood, Alcohol, Homophobia, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Medical content, Drug use, Vomit, and Infertility
jourdanicus's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Wow.
I don't remember where I heard this book recommended but I know I kept pushing back my library hold for it, and I'm glad I finally listened to it. So good!
I love a story told from the first person perspective of a woman main character, so that immediately put this book up my alley. Topics of abortion, feminism, friendship, complicated love are all catnip to me too.
The primary plot twist was so perfectly timed. I was so invested in the outcomes for the characters the entire time.
Just a perfect book for me personally, and my first 5⭐ read of 2024.
I don't remember where I heard this book recommended but I know I kept pushing back my library hold for it, and I'm glad I finally listened to it. So good!
I love a story told from the first person perspective of a woman main character, so that immediately put this book up my alley. Topics of abortion, feminism, friendship, complicated love are all catnip to me too.
The primary plot twist was so perfectly timed. I was so invested in the outcomes for the characters the entire time.
Just a perfect book for me personally, and my first 5⭐ read of 2024.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Abortion, Alcohol, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Sexual content
Minor: Cancer, Death of parent, Misogyny, Child abuse, and Eating disorder
kaitlinewest's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was great on audio, highly recommend it! Funny, warm, messy and relatable, I enjoyed every minute. I didn’t know exactly what to expect going into this book, but I’d heard great things from reliable sources and it did not disappoint. Everyone in this book was flawed, but in very human ways that still left me rooting for them. Life and people are both complicated and O’Donoghue captures that perfectly.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage and Abortion
Minor: Pregnancy and Sexual content
bootsmom3's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Infidelity, Medical content, Misogyny, Abortion, Sexual content, Cursing, and Alcohol
Moderate: Blood, Classism, Cancer, and Vomit
Minor: Death, Death of parent, Body shaming, and Homophobia