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A review by lydiavsbooks
Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I see why this is often compared to Sally Rooney's writing, with its real, complex characters and matter of fact tone narrating the every day life of our main character it definitely shares similarities with Rooney.
That said, it is unique in its own way. One thing that stood out to me was the humour throughout, this book was funny, and I think its rare that I think that. I've also seen the writing being compared to Ottessa Moshfegh, which i also see where that comes from, but overall I think Dolan has her own unique voice and style that will definitely work really well for some people.
Did it work for me? I honestly don't know haha. I definitely found it very readable, I was intrigued and to some extent attached, but I think books like this will just click on that extra level with some people and not others, and I can't say it necessarily did for me.
That said, I still really did like this, I found reading from a female character who was just unapologeticly human, without trying to convince you shes a 'good' person very refreshing. I also wanted to note a few favourite quotes:
'You keep describing yourself as a uniquely damaged person, when a lot of it is completely normal. I think you want to feel special - which is fair, who doesn't - but you don't allow yourself to feel special in a good way, so you tell yourself you're especially bad'
'I enjoyed conversations where I wasn't trying to persuade anyone, where I just said precisely what I thought. I got tired of making myself acceptable'
That said, it is unique in its own way. One thing that stood out to me was the humour throughout, this book was funny, and I think its rare that I think that. I've also seen the writing being compared to Ottessa Moshfegh, which i also see where that comes from, but overall I think Dolan has her own unique voice and style that will definitely work really well for some people.
Did it work for me? I honestly don't know haha. I definitely found it very readable, I was intrigued and to some extent attached, but I think books like this will just click on that extra level with some people and not others, and I can't say it necessarily did for me.
That said, I still really did like this, I found reading from a female character who was just unapologeticly human, without trying to convince you shes a 'good' person very refreshing. I also wanted to note a few favourite quotes:
'You keep describing yourself as a uniquely damaged person, when a lot of it is completely normal. I think you want to feel special - which is fair, who doesn't - but you don't allow yourself to feel special in a good way, so you tell yourself you're especially bad'
'I enjoyed conversations where I wasn't trying to persuade anyone, where I just said precisely what I thought. I got tired of making myself acceptable'
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Rape