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sorcha's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Mental illness and Sexual content
Minor: Drug use, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Abortion, Addiction, and Alcohol
sambashua's review
- 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
5.0
Moderate: Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Drug use, Gaslighting, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Toxic friendship
itsocchiolism's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Moderate: Gaslighting, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Sexual content, and Mental illness
lucykateburns's review
- 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
lindseyhall44's review
- 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
“Beautiful World, Where are You?” Follows Alice, Eileen, Felix, and Simon as they explore romantic and platonic relationships throughout adulthood. Alice is a novelist, Eileen works at a literary magazine, Felix is a warehouse employee, and Simons job was explained I just can’t remember:) Each character holds a unique and relatable viewpoint, offering commentary on class and current events with the use email as well as the author’s prose.
For myself, the connection between Alice and Rooney made the read so intriguing, since she is known for her privacy and lack of public announcements. While Alice is NOT a carbon copy of the writer, Rooney intertwined personal beliefs and characteristics within the novel, developing a more meaningful ambience
While this book is not for everyone, I would definitely recommend it for those who love literary fiction and/or character drivers novels.
Graphic: Infidelity, Mental illness, and Sexual content
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Abortion
samvansam'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: Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Death of parent, Abortion, Alcoholism, Bullying, Chronic illness, Drug use, Infidelity, Mental illness, and Pregnancy
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
alp_books's review
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Chronic illness, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Abortion, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Infidelity, Pregnancy, and Toxic relationship
internationalreads's review
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Sexual content, Self harm, Pregnancy, Mental illness, Infidelity, Drug use, and Alcohol
bella_cavicchi's review
- 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
4.5
Moderate: Medical content, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Infidelity
Minor: Pregnancy and Death of parent