"(Half-baked) Conversations With (Grudging) Friends" by Sally Rooney - full review

A full, frank and in-depth review of Sally Rooney's debut novel.
Other videos mentioned
Please Please Please Booktube, Can Anyone Help (why I have to read Conversations With friends). • Please, Please Please ...
Bookish's review ( we buddy read this) • June Wrap Up/July TBR ...

[@BookishTexan]

Everything I had hoped for and more.

[@MarcNash]

I aim to serve...

[@TKTalksBooks]

So funny, Brian!

[@bluewordsme2]

brilliant title of the vid...ok, will watch when i get to school...very excited

[@blackops4854]

The part about the Iranian vampire movie is just saying they went to see "A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night"

[@karlalikestoread]

Really enjoyed your rant/critique Marc. I’ve come to think of these kinds of books as a type of YA for 20 year olds, which I suppose is why it’s so appealing to them. It seems to me the purpose is to identify with and find catharsis in the characters and their interactions and outer/inner worlds. Not so much about growth and greater commentary or impact on things. I’m a millennial and millennials are now 30+ so it might be interesting to see if Rooney continues to write for her age group or expands in some way but I’m not interested enough to keep up with her work myself.

[@MarcNash]

Thanks for this Karla. That makes sense to me though I'm not sure any catharsis can be wrought from such an unflattering portrait? Hadn't factored in that the 20 year olds are now 30! Thanks again

[@marianryan2991]

I have ardently avoided this book, so your thorough take-down vindicates my instincts. Quite enjoyed your rant. I don't understand how Rooney could even have enjoyed writing the book, given that you can see she has writing ability beyond what's typically on the page. My vague guess was that the book was calling out certain pretensions and hypocrisies, but in an unsatisfying, superficial way I didn't want to sample. Sounds like I might not have been far off.

[@MarcNash]

Yeah I'd stick to your instincts Marian!

[@alantwiddy2253]

Bought a copy from The Works. Don't think I'll bother now. Straight to the charity shop. Are you aware of the book 'The Obscene Bird Of Night by Jose Donoso? Recently translated. It's recommended by Kurt Vonnegut and Roberto Bolano. I'm currently reading Delillo's White Noise.

[@MarcNash]

I'm not aware of it. I will do some digging, thanks for the recommendation

[@bluewordsme2]

Obscene Bird of Night is extraordinary....until i discovered Bolono, Donoso was my favorite Chillean writer...READ IT..a mesmerizing brilliant novel

[@pauldembina837]

I have The Obscene Bird Of Night waiting in my to be read pile. Hopefully it won't be long before I get started on it

[@danecobain]

This was the winner when I sat on the shadow panel for the Young Writer of the Year Award and I absolutely hated it. She said she'd based a lot of it on conversations with her own friends and so I think she needs to get some new friends.

[@MarcNash]

'she needs to get some new friends' - love it. However, I will not be putting myself forward for the role

[@bluewordsme2]

hahahahahahahahha...me too, i hated it as well....will comment soon!

[@suek3898]

Your review is nice and big.

[@MarcNash]

I'm all about dimensionality!

[@thisisveryannoying]

Your review made me want to read this book

[@MarcNash]

I would never want to put somebody off reading any book. i just offer my analysis

[@booksimnotreading]

I just wanted all the characters to die. Interesting that your new book is a play on the title of this.

[@MarcNash]

ha ha ha, so funny Kelly!

[@booksimnotreading]

@@MarcNash I'm not joking. I didn't throw it across the room when I finished it, but the thought did cross my mind.

[@MarcNash]

@@booksimnotreading 😀

[@srj108]

Agree. Couldn't stand the characters. Would have thrown it across the room but it was a Kindle download.

[@MarcNash]

ha yes I can see how that would present a problem! 😀

[@TKTalksBooks]

The only other one star book I’ve seen from you was for Hangman by Maya Binyam. I’d rather read Hangman ten more times (at least it was funny) than read one chapter of this insipid trash. You put enormous effort into this one!

[@MarcNash]

when my dander is up, venting is often the only way to make it sit back down again! Also, when you find yourself line editing a published book, that is not a good sign

[@TKTalksBooks]

@@MarcNash That is certainly true!

[@bluewordsme2]

ok, finally finished hahahaha....in between teaching breaks....i left an earlier comment, but it disappeared: weird, my comments disappeared, you tube doesnt like me...anyway, agree completely...i found the book not only pretentious and a bore (i couldnt make it past 2/3 way), but abominable in its the writing ...for all the reasons you site...my belief is this: i read it immediately after i had finished Normal People (her first) and i believe that after that book won so many rave reviews (and a few awards), the publisher asked Rooney: any other manuscripts around...i feel Conversations may have a book she tried to write in uni...and let it go...wrote normal people and went back and the publisher and editor dropped the ball...and they just published it immediately..1 yr between the novels...and 3 years between Conversation and Beautiful World...has to be the explanation, because it is soooo sloppy in language and execution...and pretentious as hell...anyway...as you know, i love your 1-star reviews...and i wish there would be more of them...i think Rooney is better as a YA writer, honestly....i do feel bad: she is quite bright, rights a beautiful essay (on chess)...but anyway...can't wait to watch your next wrap up....well done...made my friday, and now Germany lost, though it was an absolutely brilliant match...double good day!...cheers, bb

[@millionaire5]

Conversations With Friends was published before Normal People

[@bluewordsme2]

@@millionaire5 ture..i;'ve read both....and 30% of Beautiful World, Where Are You (tedious)....i just read Normal People first than backtracked....didnt change my opinion....since im now reading all the novels of Kevin Barry, cant understand all the hoopla about rooney--not even close to the same league....i offer that as a writer myself, not just a reader...

[@millionaire5]

@@bluewordsme2 Would recommend Colin Barrett if you like Kevin Barry.

[@bluewordsme2]

@@millionaire5 lovely...i'll have a look. I just finished Night Boat to Tangiers last night...and just flat out gorgeous...i'll tackle Heart in Winter next and than Beatlebone...and than will have a look at Colin! thanks so much Millionaire for the recommendations :) cheers, b