Unexpected powerful read

Well written insight to the struggle of growing up in with dysfunctional family dynamics and the lasting effects of trying to fit in

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I loved this book

Incredibly real characters so well written and fleshed out. I just adored it. The reading was great as well. Cannot recommend it enough.

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Reading is not amazing

The same person reads for all characters
Very weird and as she is using a funny voice to be the man

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3 people found this helpful

Great book, brilliant reading

Great book, and story. Aoife McMahon is a brilliant storyteller. Such a wonderful, wonderful voice that brings the story and characters to life. Highly recommended.

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2 people found this helpful

Loved this book, well written and read, would have loved a sequel

Loved this book, well written and read, would have loved a sequel. The characters were complicated and lovable and the story was so relatable and addictive

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4 people found this helpful

immature

Very dull and immature book. There was no real story line just a series of uninteresting happenings. Almost like this was written in a way that someone read out their own diary yet nothing of any interest happened.

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Good read but live up to the hype (in my opinion!)

Lots of people adore this book and I can see why - the premise is good, the two protagonists are extremely well drawn but to me at times I felt it was far too angsty. I felt the first half to two thirds read like upscale literary Young Adult. Unlike other reviewers here, I have not watched the television series. I wanted to read it because I grew up in Ireland and attended Trinity College Dublin around the same time the early part of the book is set, I was involved in some of the student publications she mentions. The writing is very good but in my opinion Sally Rooney missed a great opportunity to describe Trinity physically. I found that weird because where the main characters would attend their lectures is in a hulking modern building that really contrasts with the rest of the architecture. I don’t know why she didn’t describe it but would describe how a half eaten ice cream looked? I guess you are always going to be a bit more critical when the setting played a big part in your role too. It is fiction but I found the class divide stuff very over blown. Yes, there are wealthy snobs like Peggy and Jamie but the majority of people I knew came from middle of the road backgrounds and there wasn’t snobbery around boys wearing tracksuits - the place was full of them! However, I can imagine it in certain circles. I think what I am trying to say is that this novel describes a very specific social scene in the College. Outside of my personal reservations, I felt a lot was unsaid regarding Marianne’s family and more exposition about why they behaved the way they did would have helped give a better understanding of her complex personality. Yet Connell’s mother Lorraine was a very good supporting character. The issues around mental health were dealt with well and I felt the author did a really good job around how different people cope. A final fault - it would have been nice to have more of Marianne and Connell happy in each other’s company rather than the endless torture - it would have provided in my humble opinion a nice contrast. However, I would recommend this as a coming of age story. I think it also would spark good debate in a book club. Despite my reservations I am curious to watch at least an episode of the television series as I imagine it may translate over better than the book given how popular it was.
Oh - I liked the narrator overall but as an Irish person I found her attempts at the male voices over done and distracting.

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7 people found this helpful

Great story, not so great narration

I loved the story and would love to hear more stories like this but it was ruined but the narrator. No soul or expression, male voice imitation was quite bad. This story needs a different narrative approach.

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2 people found this helpful

Beautiful story, fantastic narration.

I'll preface this by saying I'm a huge fan of the TV series, it's probably my favourite thing I've had the pleasure of watching.

I've put off reading the book after mixed reviews in comparison to the series, but I'm so glad I gave it a chance. It's beautifully written, and the narration is immersive and really enjoyable. If you've watched the show, there's not a huge amount to gain from the book, but I enjoyed listening to it and will do so again.

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1 person found this helpful

Normal scenes but well done

I felt like this book was made whole by its lack of glamour and the expectations of what the characters ought to be doing, it’s a great read

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2 people found this helpful