Reviews with content warning for Xenophobia - Exciting Times

Reviews tagging 'Xenophobia'

Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan

6 reviews

mcrystal1000's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This book honestly captivated me pretty well. The way they set the plot line against a backdrop of protests and organizing was really cool.

I still am not quite sure why the main character drove into the police station??? And what was the deal w Jolene at the end.

Rude of the ending to leave me hanging like that tho.

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elenakperez's review against another edition

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dark reflective sad tense medium-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

4.0

I think this was well-written and interesting read. Most of the book takes place inside the protagonist's head. If you enjoy a Sally-Rooney-esque novel you'll like Exciting Times. If you like reading about an emotionally detached, 20-something woman making poor life decisions which many could be avoided with simple communication then you'll like this book.

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sindunfin's review against another edition

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emotional funny reflective 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

3.5

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sentcinematic's review against another edition

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emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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girlgetsbook's review against another edition

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reflective slow-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

3.25

I didn't love it as I thought I would, because it has a lot of themes I either relate to or am interested by, however I didn't enjoy the character's voice so much and almost DNFd it, it felt tiring at times especially in part I, it felt like it was the same scene over and over and the same topics, though important, being driven to the ground by being mentioned in every sentence. Part II saved it for me and all the stars here are exclusively because that part exists, still I was already tired and wanting to finish it as quickly as possible by that time.

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libbyhb's review against another edition

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funny reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Okay, so I did really have a good time reading this for some reason. I did not like most of the characters and the themes, but the reading experience itself was fun, if that makes any sense? I loved the writing style, and look forward to whatever else Naoise Dolan writes after this. I also enjoyed the tangents Ava's thoughts went on that spoke to Irish language or relationships. Others have made good points here and on Goodreads about the way it's set in Hong Kong but that doesn't seem to have that much of an impact on the story, as well as how few Asian characters are featured and how under-developed they are - definitely check those out. I found those points very compelling and they made me like the book less. Overall, I enjoyed myself during this but it definitely didn't move me or have that much of an impact on me.

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