Kelsey
There is a class of boring book that one could categorize as “sleepy”, i.e. despite its lack of compelling storyline, it maintains a certain redeeming charm or dreaminess.
This particular boring book, to me, was neither charming nor dreamy. And maybe I just didn't get it, but I think the more likely scenario is that Rooney isn't for me. (For instance, I thought Normal People the show was far superior to Normal People the book, which I think would make me a barbarian in many people's minds.)
My only real thematic takeaway is that men need women to get their shit together. Where would Ivan and Peter be without their girlfriends? More sad and likely dead (respectively), I'd imagine. Undeniably, the book is about grief. And while there were several lovely passages and elements about the experience (which was, for me, the book's saving grace), it was overall a miss in comparison to other books on the same topic.
Last thing: I'm about to read through some other reviews in an attempt to understand WHAT IN THE WORLD is going on with the choice of writing style for Peter's character, but I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that there's no explanation on this planet that will convince me that it was necessary. I absolutely hated it. No amount of artistic jibber jabber will make me hate it less.
There is a class of boring book that one could categorize as “sleepy”, i.e. despite its lack of compelling storyline, it maintains a certain redeeming charm or dreaminess.
This particular boring book, to me, was neither charming nor dreamy. And maybe I just didn't get it, but I think the more likely scenario is that Rooney isn't for me. (For instance, I thought Normal People the show was far superior to Normal People the book, which I think would make me a barbarian in many people's minds.)
My only real thematic takeaway is that men need women to get their shit together. Where would Ivan and Peter be without their girlfriends? More sad and likely dead (respectively), I'd imagine. Undeniably, the book is about grief. And while there were several lovely passages and elements about the experience (which was, for me, the book's saving grace), it was overall a miss in comparison to other books on the same topic.
Last thing: I'm about to read through some other reviews in an attempt to understand WHAT IN THE WORLD is going on with the choice of writing style for Peter's character, but I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that there's no explanation on this planet that will convince me that it was necessary. I absolutely hated it. No amount of artistic jibber jabber will make me hate it less.