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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
funny
reflective
sad
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
dark
emotional
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
medium-paced
This was a rambling story centered on characters I just didn’t care about. Debbie wasn’t convincing as a student who managed to get into Trinity College but couldn’t find her place there; Xanthe was just a mish-mash of every insecurity but in a really irritating way, and I didn’t even feel any sympathy for Billy or Maeve.
It felt like even the author just gave up at the end, finishing the book all of a sudden without any real conclusion.
I found Sally Rooney’s book Normal People to be so, so much better than this, tackling all the same issues in a way that resonated with me so much more. I loved normal people and wholeheartedly gave it 5 stars.
It felt like even the author just gave up at the end, finishing the book all of a sudden without any real conclusion.
I found Sally Rooney’s book Normal People to be so, so much better than this, tackling all the same issues in a way that resonated with me so much more. I loved normal people and wholeheartedly gave it 5 stars.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Slow, reflective storyline. The main focus is on poor mental health and how this can challenge relationships and behaviour. But what is considered *normal* can also have detrimental affects too.
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This wasn't a bad book - I'm not sorry I picked it up, and I especially appreciated and related to the experience of Debbie moving from a rural community to the city, as well as her difficult but interesting relationships with Billy, Xanthe, and Maeve. However, I felt like the whole narrative was a bit shallow and broad. A lot of issues were addressed and brought up for a few chapters, then left by the wayside, and I feel that if there had been less going on, the remaining plot points could have been given the attention they deserved. I also thought the ending was a bit unrealistic and felt frustrated by it - I wasn't expecting everything to be perfectly resolved, but I felt cheated when absolutely nothing was explained.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Mental illness, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Gore, Death of parent