Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - Beautiful World, Where Are You

A book of long letters between the protagonists that indulge in narcissism, existential angst and masochistic tendencies. Hypocritical commentary on communism and capitalism from the judgemental characters that never try to do anything to improve the society they complain about. The dynamic between Simon and Eileen was so uncomfortable to read about!

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marc00's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.5

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boogiebeez's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful 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

3.5

I can't help comparing all of Sally Rooney's books to each other, though I'm unsure if I should. So far, my least favorite has been Conversations with Friends, but I can't decide if I liked this book more or less than Normal People. What I can say is that this book was tender and introspective, exploring the deepest crevices of relationship dynamics in the modern age. I found Felix to be a sort of Nick Carroway, observing these dynamics, which is why throughout the book he has grown to be my favorite character. The email portions were cool ways of developing on themes outside of the main plots between Alice and Felix and Eileen and Simon, and they revealed more about the characters than the remainder of the novel, in my opinion. I really only feel like the book got better around Lola's wedding, so before that I was sorta bored. Also I realized I am not a sex scene girly (at least not Sally Rooney sex scenes)

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bookocean's review against another edition

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inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

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lizziaha's review against another edition

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Plot- or character-driven? N/A

3.75

I appreciate sally rooney’s commitment to reality in the telling of this story. and I have to acknowledge that she writes characters that I relate to so deeply it’s uncomfortable. but the reality of it, while rendering it very thought-provoking at points, makes it boring at points.

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ericispublius's review against another edition

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dark emotional relaxing 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

3.75

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sarahgordon327's review against another edition

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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

4.0

Sally Rooney writes in a very effortless way, and it’s easy to get swept away into the lives of the 4 main characters. I found myself cheering for them all at certain times or getting frustrated with them during other parts. A story about human connection - the good, the bad, and the beautiful.

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