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marieshan4321 's review for:
Conversations with Friends
by Sally Rooney
emotional
reflective
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
As I have had a mixed experience with Sally Rooney in the past, I was ready to give another one of her books a go. To be honest, I didn’t enjoy Conversations with Friends as much as Normal People.
As a Trinity student, the setting is the only real positive for me. As with Normal People, I enjoyed the familiar backdrop of Trinity College and Dublin City Centre. It’s always nice to read about places you know, but beyond that, the story didn’t offer much.
One aspect I found particularly frustrating was Rooney’s reliance on tired Irish stereotypes, especially the “alcoholic Irish father.” This trope has been done to death in Irish media, to the point that it feels lazy and reductive. Ireland is so much more than these clichés, yet Rooney falls back on them, which feels harmful and unoriginal. For a writer praised for her authenticity, it’s disappointing to see her perpetuate such narrow depictions of Irish identity.
As a Trinity student, the setting is the only real positive for me. As with Normal People, I enjoyed the familiar backdrop of Trinity College and Dublin City Centre. It’s always nice to read about places you know, but beyond that, the story didn’t offer much.
One aspect I found particularly frustrating was Rooney’s reliance on tired Irish stereotypes, especially the “alcoholic Irish father.” This trope has been done to death in Irish media, to the point that it feels lazy and reductive. Ireland is so much more than these clichés, yet Rooney falls back on them, which feels harmful and unoriginal. For a writer praised for her authenticity, it’s disappointing to see her perpetuate such narrow depictions of Irish identity.