A review by hellcatjennie
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I don’t know how to feel about this book. On one hand I love awkward characters because they can seem so real. On the other hand I really despised just about every character in this book. I love a flawed character, or one that I abhor through the entirety of the read, however something about Frances just never came together for me. I also couldn’t decide if I ever felt bad for her or Nick at any point. Bobbi pointed out that Frances romanticizes the people she’s with and I think that she was completely right. In Melissa’s email to Frances she explains how great Nick is at first until you get to know him better, that he’s submissive and then won’t take accountability for his short comings thus making you feel guilty for getting angry due to his supplicant nature. Bobbi is just a person, but Frances thinks she’s ethereal-can be loved by all when that simply isn’t true. Bobbi can be disliked just the same that Frances can Frances just refuses to notice because she holds her in high regard. Bobbi was easily a favorite of mine, she was honest, non judge mental and opinionated yet original. It was an interesting read, the ending frustrated me a bit. Overall Rooney writes well, she writes the poor life decisions of a early 20 year old with precision, the aloof nature of bad choices we make because we don’t care for the consequences or how much of the real world we truly don’t know yet. It was charming while simultaneously awkward and I can’t say I hated it 🤷🏼‍♀️