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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
the bell jar if she had community and also was irish
[b:Snowflake|55577690|Snowflake|Louise Nealon|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1608039550l/55577690._SY75_.jpg|83381539] by [a:Louise Nealon|20313216|Louise Nealon|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] is an offbeat debut, which is a coming-of-age story with complications. It had some excellent insights into starting at something new - on your own and dealing with mental health in your home setting. The main character was likeable if a little naive for my liking - she had entertaining thoughts and quirks.
Debbie has just started at Trinity College, but she feels displaced. Living on a dairy farm, with her uncle Billy in a caravan and a mother who has spent most of her life sleeping, she feels anxious and out of place. She's haunted by dreams that are glimpses into other people's minds - predicting tragedy that Deb somehow never prevents occurring. She copes by drinking until she blacks out, as does her uncle, himself haunted by demons from his past.
There's a chance that this book might be touted as the new [b:Normal People|41057294|Normal People|Sally Rooney|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1571423190l/41057294._SY75_.jpg|59141209] as it deals with university life and Irish people. However, the quality of the writing fills your mind, and you are immediately captivated by the settings and storyline and want to know how things will evolve for Debbie. Drop your studies and read this!
Wish I could give this 6 stars. Read one chapter before bed last night then started again at lunchtime and couldn't put it down. Ms Nealon is a very talented writer. I loved Debbie's story. It really blew me away. Great characters, beautiful imagery of Ireland. Definitely looking forward to her next novel.
This grew on me. In the beginning I found myself annoyed with Debbie and her naivety was overplayed. She was a bit ridiculous. But then things settled down and she became more interesting, the difference in the 2 parts of her life was great. The characters in her home village were hysterical! There’s an undercurrent of depression, mental illness, suicide that’s not really fully addressed and a lot is left unsaid. But it was a good finish and I enjoyed it more than I’d expected to.
I already miss these characters and I only just put the book down! Messy and morally grey, yet so endearing and full of life.
The story was heavy at times but had me gripped from the first pages until the very end.
The story was heavy at times but had me gripped from the first pages until the very end.
Snowflake is about 18 year old Debbie who lives on a dairy farm outside Dublin with her mentally ill mother and uncle. She deals with some traumatic events at home while adjusting to her first year at Trinity College.
It was okay but ask me in a year and I probably won't remember that I read it.
It was okay but ask me in a year and I probably won't remember that I read it.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes