A review by susannaobrien
Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan

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

3.0

There was lots to like about this book: the attempt at non-monogomous representation, the critique of the British empire particularly from an Irish perspective, the absolute reading of privileged Oxbridge and public school educated white folk (particularly men) living in bubbles of ex-pat communities which were amazingly cutting and accurate, and some of the more astute observations about figuring life out in your twenties away from loved ones.

However I found the narrator pretty insufferable and I often couldn't understand her decisions (I don't mind not agreeing with them, but I thought her personality and ideas were quite inconsistently applied and not explored well enough). The love stories were quite unbelievable and oddly resolved which was disappointing given the potential of this queer poly narrative. And the use of language as an artistic device was tedious in the TEFL scenes. 

Although I think the lack of cultural details about Hong Kong speaks to the limited view ex pats get of their host country, I do still agree with criticisms that this book somewhat adds to harmful Hong Kong stereotypes. 

I'd still be interested in more works from Naoise Dolan, but this didn't work for me.

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