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A review by mwiseyyy9
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I was unsure about reading his book and having my own views on it because my Mum told me she didn’t like it. And I’m very easily influenced by the people I love and care about it. So I was worried about forming my own opinion.
I enjoy Rooney’s writing, I find her style is very palatable and I feel like I’m wolfing the book down. Compared to some books I’ve read recently, I didn’t feel like I had to force myself to read it.
I think Rooney creates very developed, complex characters which is something very hard to achieve. The main characters are faked and ugly and frankly, frustrating. What I found difficult about the book was it was hard to root for some of the characters especially Frances (the narrator).
I found Frances, and Bobbi to an extent, too sled involved and narcissistic , they felt angry and ugly in a way that felt irredeemable. I wasn’t really rooting for them. I found Nick and Melissa more interesting and their development felt more real and likeable.
One of my other small issues with the book was the stereotype I felt though Bobbi. She’s a key character but I found much of her personality felt like Rooney was playing of a stereotypical, queer, angry feminist. In many ways, Bobbi was multi dimensional and layered. But her behaviour and much of her plot pissed me off honestly.
I also found the main plot of the book somewhat dull. Almost too romance based and Frances narration became so self indulgent and self pitying I felt like I really wanted her to shut up sometimes. And I found the ending cliche, unoriginal and lazy to be honest.
I wouldn’t not recommend this book to people. The exploration of human beings, human nature, and the ugly side of life was definitely interesting. And I think Rooney has an enjoyable writing style. But I found the plot and characters infuriating or dull, sometimes a combination. It’s a book worth reading if you just want something to read. But I’m not sure I fully get it.
I enjoy Rooney’s writing, I find her style is very palatable and I feel like I’m wolfing the book down. Compared to some books I’ve read recently, I didn’t feel like I had to force myself to read it.
I think Rooney creates very developed, complex characters which is something very hard to achieve. The main characters are faked and ugly and frankly, frustrating. What I found difficult about the book was it was hard to root for some of the characters especially Frances (the narrator).
I found Frances, and Bobbi to an extent, too sled involved and narcissistic , they felt angry and ugly in a way that felt irredeemable. I wasn’t really rooting for them. I found Nick and Melissa more interesting and their development felt more real and likeable.
One of my other small issues with the book was the stereotype I felt though Bobbi. She’s a key character but I found much of her personality felt like Rooney was playing of a stereotypical, queer, angry feminist. In many ways, Bobbi was multi dimensional and layered. But her behaviour and much of her plot pissed me off honestly.
I also found the main plot of the book somewhat dull. Almost too romance based and Frances narration became so self indulgent and self pitying I felt like I really wanted her to shut up sometimes. And I found the ending cliche, unoriginal and lazy to be honest.
I wouldn’t not recommend this book to people. The exploration of human beings, human nature, and the ugly side of life was definitely interesting. And I think Rooney has an enjoyable writing style. But I found the plot and characters infuriating or dull, sometimes a combination. It’s a book worth reading if you just want something to read. But I’m not sure I fully get it.