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A review by oliviaclaire
Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan
dark
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
3.75
I feel like the fact that I'm not a fan of Sally Rooney probably saved this book for me as trying to live up to that literary hype is a lot for any other story.
I think, and on reflection hope, that the title is ironic as not much happens outside the head of our protagonist, where too much happens all too often. In a way, this would fit with Ava's character and with the brand of humour a lot of the characters in this novel subscribe to. I would consider this a character driven novel, maybe even a character study, rather than a book with a particularly strong plot.
What I enjoyed most was the writing style. It's witty and charming and I flew through the story in two days. Perhaps if you are a slower reader this could drag due to the afformentioned lack of plot but for a quick read it's actually a unique and oddly entertaining insight into the mind of a young expat with some unresolved issues around identity, sexuality and self-appraisal.
Because of this my main gripe is the mildly disappointing ending, which I'm sure other people see as the only upside to the story. I feel like Ava deciding to make the right decision, be brave, get the girl, insert additional cliché, removed from the idea that we don't always make that last minute run through the airport, that perfectly articulated heartfelt declaration. Sometimes we chicken out or we don't have an introspective realisation and life takes us on a different path and I think that having that neat happy ending tagged on awkwardly at the end of the story makes the entirety of the preceding 250 pages seem wasted.
I think, and on reflection hope, that the title is ironic as not much happens outside the head of our protagonist, where too much happens all too often. In a way, this would fit with Ava's character and with the brand of humour a lot of the characters in this novel subscribe to. I would consider this a character driven novel, maybe even a character study, rather than a book with a particularly strong plot.
What I enjoyed most was the writing style. It's witty and charming and I flew through the story in two days. Perhaps if you are a slower reader this could drag due to the afformentioned lack of plot but for a quick read it's actually a unique and oddly entertaining insight into the mind of a young expat with some unresolved issues around identity, sexuality and self-appraisal.
Because of this my main gripe is the mildly disappointing ending, which I'm sure other people see as the only upside to the story. I feel like Ava deciding to make the right decision, be brave, get the girl, insert additional cliché, removed from the idea that we don't always make that last minute run through the airport, that perfectly articulated heartfelt declaration. Sometimes we chicken out or we don't have an introspective realisation and life takes us on a different path and I think that having that neat happy ending tagged on awkwardly at the end of the story makes the entirety of the preceding 250 pages seem wasted.
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug use, Sexism, and Rape