A review by bookish_morgan
Evenings & Weekends by Oisín McKenna

challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I had this novel recommended to me by a podcast, and it totally exceeded my expectations.  The characters' struggles with overarching themes of identity, insecurity, envy, yearning, and miscommunication, all within the framework of pertinent societal issues, make for a timeless and relatable story. The characters are all written incredibly realistically, while remaining unique and distinct from each another. I never felt like the characters were blending together, although their lives intertwine deeply and meaningfully throughout the book. Whether I initially liked or disliked someone in the novel, there was always a good balance of positive and negative traits that helped humanize them. Their relationships are also incredibly complex in a way that elevates the story, rather than distracting from it. There were multiple points where a character's thoughts, beliefs, or experiences struck such a chord with me, or a phrase was worded so poignantly, that it brought tears to my eyes. I haven't read a book that has evoked emotion so skillfully and effectively like that in a long time, so this story will definitely stick with me.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings