readsbyrobyn's reviews
21 reviews

reflective sad slow-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

3.0

Didn’t love it, didn’t hate it.

A character driven story following the life or our narrator Orla who has moved from Dublin to London, hoping to make it in the music industry. She lives in a rundown flat with her best friend and said friend’s brother‘s band, Shiva. Whilst working at an Irish pub and various music industry adjacent jobs, Orla spends most of her time either drunk or high. She epitomises a certain lifestyle in 90s/early 2000s culture and it does read largely like an autobiography. I understand it’s VERY loosely based on the authors own coming of age.

I found this an easy, slow burn read but it lacked any wow factor for me, especially in comparison with Macmanus’ debut which I loved. I don’t mind a book with no strong plot when it’s incredibly well written with good character depth, but this just felt a bit like it didn’t really go anywhere.

I found the protagonist, and most of the other characters, really unlikeable which made it hard to fully enjoy this book. Orla frustrated me with her bad decision and lack of self awareness. I think a particular audience could probably relate to her but it was a bit niche for my taste.

Macmanus does sets the scene really well with her writing, I could picture myself in all of the grim flat party’s and in the Irish pub. There’s a juxtaposition between the romanticising of London and Orla’s realty which is a lot of dirty, messy chaos.

The story focuses mainly on relationships between Orla and her family, friend, colleagues and romantic partners. The only one I found myself truly interested in was the relationship with her friend and roommate, Neema.

I would recommend this for an easy read, especially if you’re a music fan as the references and writing in that respect is really engaging. I’ll definitely read more by this author in future, but this one wasn’t my favourite.

Absolutely and Forever by Rose Tremain

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emotional lighthearted reflective slow-paced