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samarakroeger's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
4.25
I’m glad I finally read this! It became a mashed potato book because I didn’t want to exhaust my Sally Rooney supply or read it in the wrong mood or something.
Sukie, the narrator of Mr. Salary, is a classic Rooney protagonist. She has the same darkly cynical self-deprecating sense of humor as Frances. Lots of insecure attachment style present, as well as the expected parental issues (Marianne) and predilection for older men (Sukie and Nathan are by far the most similar to Eileen and Simon).
Like all of her work, this principally examines the intersection of money and class with sex and relationships, all of which have to do with power dynamics.
Knowing that this predates all of her published novels gives some insight on how Rooney has evolved as a writer, too. This is written in a style very similar to Convos with Friends (first person with more figurative language use). The similes in here were odd and unique.
I wish this was a lot longer - there’s a lot packed into a small story but Rooney could have explored it all in a lot more depth given a longer page count.
Sukie, the narrator of Mr. Salary, is a classic Rooney protagonist. She has the same darkly cynical self-deprecating sense of humor as Frances. Lots of insecure attachment style present, as well as the expected parental issues (Marianne) and predilection for older men (Sukie and Nathan are by far the most similar to Eileen and Simon).
Like all of her work, this principally examines the intersection of money and class with sex and relationships, all of which have to do with power dynamics.
Knowing that this predates all of her published novels gives some insight on how Rooney has evolved as a writer, too. This is written in a style very similar to Convos with Friends (first person with more figurative language use). The similes in here were odd and unique.
I wish this was a lot longer - there’s a lot packed into a small story but Rooney could have explored it all in a lot more depth given a longer page count.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Medical content, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Suicide
clairew97's review against another edition
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Terminal illness, Suicide, Death of parent, Addiction, Cancer, Sexual content, and Drug abuse
katiemcgregor's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
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
4.0
Far too short, but so much to unpack.
I do believe I'll have to explore more of Sally Rooney's writing.
I do believe I'll have to explore more of Sally Rooney's writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Terminal illness, and Cancer
Moderate: Death of parent and Suicide
antonia_schuro's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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
4.0
Nice short story, ending confused me… wish this could have been a novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Cancer, and Abandonment
Moderate: Addiction and Dementia
Minor: Suicide
groovywitch's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Terminal illness, Adult/minor relationship, and Toxic relationship
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