elizlizabeth's Reviews (242)

There's some heavy topics, but overall I think they were treated with care and honesty. Jayne's self-hating moods is exhausting to be in after a while but I'm glad the narrative eventually calls her out on it. Most accurate portrayal of siblings I've read in a while. Overall the message is positive but not too storybook rosy, however I did feel a bit slow and meandering at times, perhaps because it wanted to tackle so much.

Una discusión interesante sobre temas que, increíble o tristemente, siguen vigentes cinco décadas después de su publicación. Quizá más un ensayo con la máscara de narrativa que una novela.

Such a genius use of language and plot. In saying so little it conveyed so much, I almost feel like I am a different person too. Already know that I will reread it many times.

Really loved the premise of this, and I appreciate that both Jessica and Elijah helped the other grow -as opposed to making one the "helpless poor girl" or the other an "aloof rich brat". In this the plot was consistent with the message until the very end, a bit delusional but hopeful about carving a place for happiness in the middle of whatever late late stage capitalism we're stuck on. Things felt a bit rushed after the third act and I would've liked seeing some off-camera stuff, but it was a comforting read. A Sally Rooney novel for the girls and boys who are done being cynical about the state of the world.

Storygraph recommended this as "out of my comfort zone" and true because I really struggle with stream of consciousness books like this. However, the theme and topic and the melodramatic narrator was right up my alley. I haven't read Aciman's foreword but the spirit of this is definitely in CMBYN, and it has in fact made me understand it better. Quite a surprise, but most welcome!

Ending felt a bit rushed but overall it was a fun read. It's probably because I am a depressed millenial but reading about fuckups in their 30s found family-ing their way out of trouble is my cozy fantasy.

Yeah... the sibling plotline gets a bit weird in this one ngl. Aside from that the worldbuilding was amazing and it has great side characters and b plots. I could read a million spinoffs -which lucky me, because they exist (:

It packs so much in such a short read! Dunno if it was the translation or the medium but I was hooked. Wish I'd read it earlier in life, but either way I am planning a re-read as we speak.
Disclaimer about the edition tho: I read the dramatized version that Jeremy Howe did for the BBC and which is free on Youtube (insanely good, 10/10 would recommend) but since that is not a book proper, I am listing the translation from which that adaptation was based on.

Re-read this after several years and was pleasantly surprised to find it still as good as the first time. Even if one or two jokes aged poorly this is one hell of a book, made me laugh in publicand kick my legs like a teen in public. Successful throwback.

The final plot twist was so unexpected! I missed Ravi but it was fun to read more about Pip's friend group pre-everything. Really fun tie-in if you've read the series already but it also works as a standalone.
I'm a huge fan of the voice actor, she's incredibly good and really shines on this one.