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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
Finally an Irish contemporary stand-alone that I acc enjoyed!!! This book was so unexpected but so good?? I really enjoyed the college themes mixed in w the small town mindset & the character development!! Wish the supernatural elements were explored a bit more but sure, really loved this anyway, 8.5/10
Wasn't wild about this one.
Debbie never came together for me, never resolved into a real character, instead remaining shadowy and unmotivated.
The Dublin and Kildare of the book are also not fully realised, its set in a recent past where things seem contemporary but no one is on their phone the whole time and you're just supposed to pick up that it takes place in 201x.
Debbie never came together for me, never resolved into a real character, instead remaining shadowy and unmotivated.
The Dublin and Kildare of the book are also not fully realised, its set in a recent past where things seem contemporary but no one is on their phone the whole time and you're just supposed to pick up that it takes place in 201x.
Nealon invites readers into the heart of rural Ireland, where the protagonist, Debbie White, navigates the tumultuous transition from farm life to university. Nealon's prose is tender and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the Irish countryside and the complex familial bonds that tether Debbie to her roots. The characters—her eccentric mother Maeve and her introspective uncle Billy—are drawn with such authenticity that they feel instantly familiar, as if they’ve stepped out of our own lives. Nealon effortlessly captures her readers, making us fall in love with the quirks and vulnerabilities of her cast. The novel’s strength lies in its ability to render the ordinary extraordinary, wrapping profound themes of mental health and self-discovery in the comforting embrace of family and home.
If Luna Lovegood could write an ode to the mental health crisis in Ireland, Louise Nealon's debut novel, Snowflake would be it.
Digging deep into the complexities of bipolar disorder, alcoholism, depression, and grief, Nealon takes a seemingly simple coming-of-age story and turns it into so much more. All of these heavy topics are circling Nealon’s main motif - the shittiness of the young adult, female experience.
From candid internal debates about pubic hair removal to the sting of unspoken slut shaming, Nealon manages to cover all of the bullshit young women deal with on a daily basis.
Got to www.thebooknookchronicles.com next Friday, August 11th for the full review.
Digging deep into the complexities of bipolar disorder, alcoholism, depression, and grief, Nealon takes a seemingly simple coming-of-age story and turns it into so much more. All of these heavy topics are circling Nealon’s main motif - the shittiness of the young adult, female experience.
From candid internal debates about pubic hair removal to the sting of unspoken slut shaming, Nealon manages to cover all of the bullshit young women deal with on a daily basis.
Got to www.thebooknookchronicles.com next Friday, August 11th for the full review.
Y’all, this book. I got it in a subscription box of Irish goodies, and it DELIVERED. Not only was it easy to read, it tackled the topic of generational mental health (and mental health in general) in a way I’ve never seen done before.
Nealon didn’t shy away from writing flawed characters that didn’t get it right the first, second, or even third time. She showed folks of different ages in today’s society dealing with heart-wrenching, challenging issues. And she did it in a way that left me so appreciative for the story.
Mental health is starting to be talked about/used more in art and literature, and I think it’s so helpful for those who might be struggling. That’s why I’m so blown away by this book - and think everyone should read it.
Nealon didn’t shy away from writing flawed characters that didn’t get it right the first, second, or even third time. She showed folks of different ages in today’s society dealing with heart-wrenching, challenging issues. And she did it in a way that left me so appreciative for the story.
Mental health is starting to be talked about/used more in art and literature, and I think it’s so helpful for those who might be struggling. That’s why I’m so blown away by this book - and think everyone should read it.
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
East read to get you out of a reading slump
Incredibly bleak in parts but very very good, maybe my favourite thing I’ve read this year.
Wasn't wild about this one.
Debbie never came together for me, never resolved into a real character, instead remaining shadowy and unmotivated.
The Dublin and Kildare of the book are also not fully realised, its set in a recent past where things seem contemporary but no one is on their phone the whole time and you're just supposed to pick up that it takes place in 201x.
Debbie never came together for me, never resolved into a real character, instead remaining shadowy and unmotivated.
The Dublin and Kildare of the book are also not fully realised, its set in a recent past where things seem contemporary but no one is on their phone the whole time and you're just supposed to pick up that it takes place in 201x.
I didn't know what to expect from this book but I was definitely pleasantly surprised. Debbie is 18 and lives on a dairy farm and is about to start University in the city which is a pretty big shock to the system. It is a wonderful coming of age novel with all the ups and downs you would expect from Debbie, including friendships, boys, the struggle of University and it also really highlighted the topic of mental health and there were some really important moments in the book which didn't shy away from the reality. The characters and the way it is set out reminded me slightly of Normal People by Sally Rooney (which I didn't enjoy at all) but this was a refreshing read with a story line that kept me entranced and I didn't want it to end.
Overall an excellent novel that should be a must read for many.
* I received a copy from Netgalley and the publisher and this hasn't affected my review *
Overall an excellent novel that should be a must read for many.
* I received a copy from Netgalley and the publisher and this hasn't affected my review *
Feels almost as though it tries to touch on too much: scattershot story goes much more wide than deep. Nealon has a great ability to round out a character in an instant with a cuttingly insightful line (or lack of), but I don't know that this ever manages to channel that talent to something as impactful as I'd wanted.