A review by sydtalksbooks
Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan

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

4.0

i find it deeply interesting that a lot of people who loved normal people hated this book and not a small part of me wonders if it has to do with the f/f relationship aspect. sally rooney is particularly good at writing deeply unlikable characters and i felt that exciting times was just the same! and yet! so many reviews from people who start off saying they read the book because it was recommended by rooney, but you all somehow found ava insufferable and the book pretentious? both things that i’ve found to be hallmarks in sally rooney novels?

anyway all this to say i found the book pretentious, but i believe that was the point. i found ava unlikable in an endearing way, if that makes sense.
it seemed that a lot of her self hatred came from being in the closet and a history of being bullied. she sought approval from julian and it seemed pretty clear she was only interested in him because he didn’t hold the power to hurt her. theres such an interesting discussion throughout the novel about power in relationships and who has it and i think with edith for the first time ava found a relationship that could be equal and that terrified her. the fact that they both held the power to hurt the other made her feel vulnerable and scared. i like to think ava didn’t go to frankfurt and her and edith moved to a new city together instead.
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