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emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol
At 50% of the way through this book I can safely say that I was not enjoying the writing style at all. Reading/listening to this felt like a chore.
I appreciate the characters, their flaws and intricacies, and the intentions behind the plot, but I do not enjoy Sally Rooneys writing style. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this book is largely about intimate relationships with somewhat graphic scenes. It really just wasn’t an enjoyable read for me.
I appreciate the characters, their flaws and intricacies, and the intentions behind the plot, but I do not enjoy Sally Rooneys writing style. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this book is largely about intimate relationships with somewhat graphic scenes. It really just wasn’t an enjoyable read for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Drug use
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was the first Sally Rooney Novel that I read. During a visit to London I saw it in absolutely every book shops and the beautiful cover catched my eye. Although the first few pages were a little challenging, I immediately enjoyed her writing style and her added expression of the characters through differing writing styles in each chapter. The characters themselves were highly complex and multi faceted, which led me to be able to identify with different traits of each character. The story itself started very interesting and a lot of development took place in the first half, but then in the second half the same conflicts were just repeated multiple times without any following action. The ending felt abrupt. There was some character development, but with no actions following, it felt like not enough.
The backstory for Sylvia is what really bothered me. For the most part I expected some kind of mystery that we will dive into later. But until the end, I’m still not sure what accident could have let to these symptoms. It felt like the author really wanted to put Peter into this dilemma but didn’t know how he could end up there, so the idea of the accident was born. This part actually bothered me during reading, because I kept tying to imagine what type of injury this could be.
Overall, I still enjoyed the read and I will give her other novels a go as well.
The backstory for Sylvia is what really bothered me. For the most part I expected some kind of mystery that we will dive into later. But until the end, I’m still not sure what accident could have let to these symptoms. It felt like the author really wanted to put Peter into this dilemma but didn’t know how he could end up there, so the idea of the accident was born. This part actually bothered me during reading, because I kept tying to imagine what type of injury this could be.
Overall, I still enjoyed the read and I will give her other novels a go as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Drug use, Abandonment
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Age gap, ableism, no one likeable. Not a fan.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent
Minor: Drug use, Violence, Blood
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is her best for sure
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Alcohol
Moderate: Medical content, Medical trauma
Minor: Animal cruelty, Car accident
Note for dog lovers: Animal cruelty is minor - only mentions someone who isn’t a fan of animals taking care of a dog for a period of time. Not doing a very good job but still meeting the dog’s needs. A little infuriating but the doggy ends up very happy ❤️
dark
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"For a moment the screen darkens, connecting, and then the signal drops. Call unsuccessful. What does he have to tell him anyway. I just want to say, I’m on your side. I know I’ve never done anything to help you, Ivan, but in principle, in spirit. I’ve been on your side all along."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Drug use, Mental illness, Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content, Violence
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Didn’t seem fair on the young lad...
- Intermezzo, 00,01%
First of: It's always such a special joy to read a Sally Rooney book! I just love the descriptive writing style, it is like meditation to my brain.
... when he looks at her, when he speaks to her, he is addressing not only the superficial but also the deep concealed parts of her personality...
- Intermezzo, 8%
I mean, quotes like that always deserve five stars 🥰🥰🥰🥰:
... I’m very happy that I met you. And even knowing that you’re alive, I feel like my life will be a lot better. Just being able to remember – being with you, and having such a nice experience together...
... Nonetheless, it is better to feel hopeful and optimistic about one’s life on earth while engaged in the never-ending struggle to pay rent, than to feel despondent and depressed while engaged in the same non-optional struggle anyway...
- Intermezzo, 26%
That being said: This was my least favorite Sally Rooney book. To be frank: I was disappointed.
Peter is just insufferable while Ivan has my heart.💜 Peter is
The only way how I got through the Peter POVs, was looking forward to the Ivan POVs...
Sylvia: her character is so one dimensional, we never really find out what exactly her condition is, the only thing that is established is that she doesn't want to be in a relationship, because she feels it would make Peter miss out on a 'normal life'. I find this meager portrayal to be quite ableist.
Naomi is the ultimate brat girl.
... spending [Peters] money on ketamine and eyelash extensions...
- Intermezzo, 32%
... Pleasure of her own gorgeousness in the mirror. Deep complete joy she finds in being alive. No job, no family support, no fixed address, no state entitlements, no money to finish college. Owner of nothing in the world but her own perfect body. Men, and even other women, and systems, bureaucracies, laws, intent it seems on breaking her, forcing her to accept misery. And here she is laughing, drinking sugary coffee, begging to be fucked... Her freedom, wild animal that she is...
- Intermezzo, 33%
Ivan former incel turned sweetheart. I root so hard for him and Margaret. Their
This book has the most beautiful and tender love making scene ever (calling it a sex scene wouldn't do it justice).
... I really love touching you like that...
- Intermezzo, 11%
... Something might come into my head to say, but then I’ll just imagine how boring it would be from the perspective of everyone else, and I won’t say it...
- Intermezzo, 24%
I can relate so much to Ivan!
... Hand on heart she never when leaving had a thought of meeting anyone else. Only wanted to sleep alone in a safe clean room in the peace of her own company. Book on the nightstand, cup of tea, turning out the light at eleven o’clock. Cleanliness and quiet, that was all...
- Intermezzo, 67%
I root especially hard for Margaret, after everything she's been through, she deserves the best.
What unsettled me for a big part of that book was that the dog situation was unresolved for such a long time!
This book would have been more interesting, if the female characters would've been more fleshed out.
My biggest critique however is:
The ending was wrapped up so quickly, which was a big contrast to the rest of the book, where everything was discussed and thought about thoroughly. The way it ended was so abrupt,it felt a bit like the author wanted to be done with it, so everything worked out all of a sudden, and everybody was fine...
I want to finish this review with some quotes, the first one is quite offensive to me: 😂
What unsettled me for a big part of that book was that the dog situation was unresolved for such a long time!
This book would have been more interesting, if the female characters would've been more fleshed out.
My biggest critique however is:
The ending was wrapped up so quickly, which was a big contrast to the rest of the book, where everything was discussed and thought about thoroughly. The way it ended was so abrupt,
I want to finish this review with some quotes, the first one is quite offensive to me: 😂
... She, an older woman, approaching middle age...
- Intermezzo, 21%
What? Girl is 36!!!
... Yes, the world makes room for goodness and decency, he thinks: and the task of life is to show goodness to others, not to complain about their failings...
- Intermezzo, 60%
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent
Minor: Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Religious bigotry, Alcohol
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Alcohol