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kjm19's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-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
This is a compelling book. Contemporary Irish literature seems to be unstoppable in my view!
The characters are interesting, quirky, and flawed. The way Caroline describes them is evocative and playful. She brings a level of nostalgia to their world - even though I cannot relate - it feels like I was there. The relationships are deep and convincing, every twist and turn in their lives is surprising yet believable at the same time. The flow of the narrative entwining the past with the present isn’t distracting, you are just totally immersed with her wordplay and descriptions.
The plot is all things political and societal, yet the same time totally personal. The effortless weaving of the wider context of their world with their personal lives paints such a vivid and convincing depiction of their young lives and the good and bad decisions that they make in their specific circumstances. The ending is also satisfying. Everything works!
It is clever and enchanting. I look forward to reading more of her work.
The characters are interesting, quirky, and flawed. The way Caroline describes them is evocative and playful. She brings a level of nostalgia to their world - even though I cannot relate - it feels like I was there. The relationships are deep and convincing, every twist and turn in their lives is surprising yet believable at the same time. The flow of the narrative entwining the past with the present isn’t distracting, you are just totally immersed with her wordplay and descriptions.
The plot is all things political and societal, yet the same time totally personal. The effortless weaving of the wider context of their world with their personal lives paints such a vivid and convincing depiction of their young lives and the good and bad decisions that they make in their specific circumstances. The ending is also satisfying. Everything works!
It is clever and enchanting. I look forward to reading more of her work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Miscarriage, Toxic friendship, Vomit, Abortion, Alcohol, Death of parent, Drug use, and Outing
ninaszewczyk's review
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Infidelity, and Grief
Moderate: Miscarriage, Outing, Cancer, Pregnancy, and Mental illness
Minor: Infertility, Body shaming, Abortion, Homophobia, Terminal illness, and Biphobia
jkamler's review against another edition
funny
reflective
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Infidelity, and Alcohol
Moderate: Suicide, Abandonment, Alcohol, Blood, and Outing
Minor: Classism, Cancer, Drug use, Grief, and Death of parent
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