Reviews

The Country Girls by Edna O'Brien

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jess_mango's review against another edition

4.0

The Country Girls is the third novel I've read by Edna O'Brien. I enjoy her writing and will read more of her stuff. It is very approachable and readable. This one is one of those good old 1001 books to read before you die, so it also has that going for it.

Kate and Baba (Bridget) are best friends from rural Ireland in the 1950s. As teens, they are sent to a convent school that they get kicked out of. They go to larger towns and cities, finding jobs and romantic entanglements. The book is about the experience of lower-class Irish Catholic girls/women of the time and their coming of age and "loss of innocence," as it were ...The good and bad choices they make and how they impact their lives.

larabavery's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

lauraellis's review against another edition

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3.0

Well written but depressing. I didn’t enjoy it.

bluelilyblue's review against another edition

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3.0

.5 :)

A distinctly Irish coming-of-age story that journeys from the repressive Catholic convent upbringing to the much dreamed of escape to Dublin. What I'm sure will stick with me most is Edna O'Brien's prose, truly is a thing of beauty--airy and lighthearted yet by no means simplistic; The Country Girls feels lively and teenagerish, but there's no denying its poignancy. With O'Brien, it's all in the details.