Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney - Goodreads

Conversations with Friends (the title and sunny cover are fairly misleading) is a stark, reflective novel which asks the reader to inhabit the mind of 21 year ... Goodreadshelpsyoukeeptrackofbooksyouwanttoread. Startbymarking“ConversationswithFriends”asWanttoRead: WanttoRead saving… WanttoRead CurrentlyReading Read Othereditions Enlargecover WanttoRead saving… Errorratingbook.Refreshandtryagain. Ratethisbook Clearrating 1of5stars2of5stars3of5stars4of5stars5of5stars OpenPreview SeeaProblem? We’dloveyourhelp. Letusknowwhat’swrongwiththispreviewof ConversationswithFriendsbySallyRooney. Problem: It’sthewrongbook It’sthewrongedition Other Details(ifother):   Cancel Thanksfortellingusabouttheproblem. ReturntoBookPage Notthebookyou’relookingfor? Preview—ConversationswithFriends bySallyRooney ConversationswithFriends by SallyRooney(GoodreadsAuthor) 3.83  ·  Ratingdetails ·  224,327 ratings  ·  19,565 reviews Asharplyintelligentnovelabouttwocollegestudentsandthestrange,unexpectedconnectiontheyforgewithamarriedcouple.Francesistwenty-oneyearsold,cool-headed,anddarklyobservant.Acollegestudentandaspiringwriter,shedevotesherselftoalifeofthemind--andtothebeautifulandendlesslyself-possessedBobbi,herbestfriendandcomrade-in-arms.Love Asharplyintelligentnovelabouttwocollegestudentsandthestrange,unexpectedconnectiontheyforgewithamarriedcouple.Francesistwenty-oneyearsold,cool-headed,anddarklyobservant.Acollegestudentandaspiringwriter,shedevotesherselftoalifeofthemind--andtothebeautifulandendlesslyself-possessedBobbi,herbestfriendandcomrade-in-arms.Loversatschool,thetwoyoungwomennowperformspoken-wordpoetrytogetherinDublin,whereajournalistnamedMelissaspotstheirpotential.DrawnintoMelissa'sorbit,Francesisreluctantlyimpressedbytheolderwoman'ssophisticatedhomeandtall,handsomehusband.Privateproperty,Francesbelieves,isaculturalevil--andNick,aboredactorwhoneverquiteliveduptohispotential,lookslikepatriarchymadeflesh.Buthoweveramusingtheirflirtationseemsatfirst,itgiveswaytoastrangeintimacyneitherofthemexpect.AsFrancestriestokeepherlifeincheck,herrelationshipsincreasinglyresisthercontrol:withNick,withherdifficultandunhappyfather,andfinallyevenwithBobbi.Desperatetoreconcileherselftothedesiresandvulnerabilitiesofherbody,Frances'sintellectualcertaintiesbegintoyieldtosomethingnew:apainfulanddisorientingwayoflivingfrommomenttomoment.Writtenwithgem-likeprecisionandprobingintelligence,ConversationsWithFriendsiswonderfullyalivetothepleasuresanddangersofyouth." ...more GetACopy KindleStore $13.99 AmazonStores ▾AudibleBarnes&NobleWalmarteBooksGooglePlayAbebooksBookDepositoryAlibrisIndigoBetterWorldBooksIndieBoundThriftbooks KindleEdition,304pages Published July11th2017 byHogarth (firstpublishedMay25th2017) MoreDetails... OriginalTitle ConversationswithFriends ASIN B01M6XMA62 EditionLanguage English Setting Dublin (Ireland) LiteraryAwards DylanThomasPrizeNomineeforShortlist(2018),DesmondElliottPrizeNomineeforLonglist(2018),EuropeseLiteratuurprijsNominee(2018),InternationalDublinLiteraryAwardNomineeforShortlist(2019),RathbonesFolioPrizeNominee(2018) OtherEditions(88) AllEditions | AddaNewEdition | Combine ...LessDetail EditDetails FriendReviews Toseewhatyourfriendsthoughtofthisbook, pleasesignup. ReaderQ&A Toaskotherreadersquestionsabout ConversationswithFriends, pleasesignup. PopularAnsweredQuestions I'maquarterofthewayinandpainfullyboredwiththeplotandthecharacters.ShouldIkeepreading?Doesanythinghappen?Dothecharactersstarttohaveanyinsights? 56likes · like 4yearsago Seeall28answers TonyHassan Istartedquiteenjoyingit,butthefurtherIread,themoreirritatingandunbelievableIfoundthecharacters.IwishI'dquitaquarterwaythroug…moreIstartedquiteenjoyingit,butthefurtherIread,themoreirritatingandunbelievableIfoundthecharacters.IwishI'dquitaquarterwaythrough.(less) flag Thisquestioncontainsspoilers... (viewspoiler)[Whatdoyouthinkoftheending?Isthedramaoftheaffairgoingtorepeatitselfasaself-destructivespiral?(hidespoiler)] 4likes · like 3yearsago Seeall5answers J.C. Thisanswercontainsspoilers… (viewspoiler)[ The"comegetme"linehasmeinterpretingtheendingtwoways.ThefirstinterpretationisthatFrancesissubmittingtoNick'swhimsagainwhichmea…more The"comegetme"linehasmeinterpretingtheendingtwoways.ThefirstinterpretationisthatFrancesissubmittingtoNick'swhimsagainwhichmeanspeoplemakebadchoiceswhenthey'reyoungandweassumeshewilllearnfromthisandgrowstronger.TheotherinterpretationisthatsheischallengingNicktoactuallymakeachoice.OnthepreviouspageNickgivesherthe"compliment"abouthowhehidupstairstheentirenightthefirsttimetheymetbecausehewastooenchantedandintimidatedbyFrancestogodownstairsandinteractwithher(orwhateverbshewassaying).Thenhe'ssayswhatifItellyouwhereI'mparked?wouldyoucomefindme?Maybethecomegetmelineisherchallengetohim?Maybeshe'ssayingnoI'mnotgoingtowalktoyou,youneedtocomegetme,a"timetocomedownthestairs"kindofthing.(less) (hidespoiler)] flag Seeall27questionsaboutConversationswithFriends… ListswithThisBook womenvsthevoid 95books — 141voters WhatWomenBorninthe90'sHaveReadin2020 2,571books — 391voters Morelistswiththisbook... CommunityReviews Showing1-30 Averagerating 3.83  ·  Ratingdetails  ·  224,327 ratings  ·  19,565 reviews AllLanguagesAzərbaycandili‎(1) BahasaIndonesia‎(2) Català‎(16) Dansk‎(20) Deutsch‎(117) Eesti‎(20) English‎(16646) Español‎(473) Français‎(60) Italiano‎(360) Latviešuvaloda‎(3) Lietuviųkalba‎(2) Magyar‎(7) Nederlands‎(131) Norsk‎(26) Polski‎(120) Português‎(309) Pусскийязык‎(55) Română‎(9) Slovenčina‎(28) Slovenščina‎(11) Suomi‎(55) Svenska‎(136) TiếngViệt‎(3) Türkçe‎(56) hrvatski‎(3) Íslenska‎(7) česky,čeština‎(37) Ελληνικά‎(28) българскиезик‎(3) српскијезик‎(19) українська‎(14) Հայերեն‎(1) עברית‎(7) العربية‎(1) فارسی‎(3) ქართული‎(2) 中文‎(6) 日本語‎(1) Morefilters  |  Sortorder StartyourreviewofConversationswithFriendsWriteareview Dec29,2016 Sam ratedit itwasok  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: 2017-reads Ididn'treallyrespondwelltoConversationswithFriends.Thewritingitselfisquitegoodintermsofrealisticdialogueanddescription,butIfoundallofthecharactersentirelyunlikableandhardtoempathizewith,veryfewwithanypositiveanimatingtraits,mostlyjustself-absorbed,narcissistic,occasionallycruelandcapricious.EitherinadditiontoorbecauseIdidn'trespondtothecharacters,Ialsodidn'trespondtotheplotwell:thestakesseemedverylow,thereseemedtobel Ididn'treallyrespondwelltoConversationswithFriends.Thewritingitselfisquitegoodintermsofrealisticdialogueanddescription,butIfoundallofthecharactersentirelyunlikableandhardtoempathizewith,veryfewwithanypositiveanimatingtraits,mostlyjustself-absorbed,narcissistic,occasionallycruelandcapricious.EitherinadditiontoorbecauseIdidn'trespondtothecharacters,Ialsodidn'trespondtotheplotwell:thestakesseemedverylow,thereseemedtobelittlepersonalgrowthfromanyofthecharacters(despitethisbeingastoryentirelyfocusedonpeopleratherthansituations),andwhenmoreorlesstheentiremaincastisunlikable,itcanbehardtoinvestinanoutcome.Becausethecraftitselfwasstrong,I'dgivethis2starsandsay"it'sok"overall,butIwouldn'trecommenditpersonally.Thecentralconceitistwotwenty-somethingfriendsandformerlovers,FrancesandBobbi,getpulledintotheorbitofphotographerMelissaandheractorhusbandNick.ThenFranceandNickbecomedrawntooneanother,andbeginanaffairthatleadstouncomfortablesituationsandconfrontationswithBobbi,Melissa,andtheirfriendsandfamilymembers.It'ssetinDublin,Ireland,butthewayit'swrittenandthepoetry-art-actingculturaltrifectaithits,itmayaswellbesetinCalifornia.Itdidn'tfeelparticularlyIrishatall,soIwasabitlostonsenseofplaceandspecificity.WeseethingsfromFrances'perspective,whichmightbepartofthedifficultywiththisreadforme.Francesisentirelyselfish:shebeginsthebookthatway,andasidefrommaybeinchesofcharactergrowth,shealsoendsthebookthatway.We'retoldhowintelligentsheis,butsheseemstobeperpetuallyblushing,blunderingintothings,actingcruellyandcapriciouslywhenitsuitsher,andretreatingtodarkcornerstocutherselfwhenshe'sincapableofexpressinghertruefeelings.Itdidn'thelpthatFrancesisalsolivingoffanallowancethroughherfather,notfeelingpressedatalltosupportherselfformuchofthenovel,contenttowallowinherfeelingsforNickandassertdominanceandindifferencetohimtodisguisehergrowingdependenceandobsessionwithhim.(Theysayit'slove,buthonestlythesecharactersareallsoselfishit'seasytothinkthattheysayit'slovebutit'snot.)Nickmeanwhileisasomewhatcaddish,sad,brokenandoppressedman,mildlyunhappywithhislifebutwithoutrealpowerorimpetustochangeit.Notallcharactersneedtobelikableinordertoenjoyanovelaboutthem-Icanthinkofplentyofanti-heroesandsomewhatnastycharactersthataredelightfultoread-butIstruggledgreatlytryingtoempathizewiththesecharacters,findingverylittlecompellingabouttheirpersonalitiesandtheirdecisions,butalsonotbeingpoorlybehavedenoughtobecompletelydisgustedwiththem.Thatmadeitverydifficultformetoengageandbeentertainedorinformedwhilereading.Bobbiisadecentsidecharacterandhasagreater,morecomplexpersonality,whileMelissanevercomesacrossasmorethanacontrolling,dominatingwoman(possiblybecausewe'reinFrances'perspective,andBobbiisherformerloverandbestfriend,whileMelissaisherrivalforNick'sphysicalandemotionalaffectionandattention).Whenthefocalpointisanillicit,uncertainrelationshipandtherestcentersonotherrelationshipsspiralingandchanginginreaction,youdon'twantthewritingtoputdistancebetweenyouandthecharacters.AsgoodasRooney'scraftis,IdidfeelasthoughIwaspeeringintotheirlivesandtheirmessyactionsbutatarmslength,andagainhardtosayifthewritingwasresponsibleormydisinterestinthecharacters.Iwouldwanttofeelimmersedintheaction,pulledinandmaybedisgustedortitillatedorboth,butfundamentallyunabletolookaway(verymuchhowIfeltreadingWhiteFur).WithConversationswithFriends,Iwasjustbored,feelingthedistanceandnotcaringthatneithermyselfnortheauthorwastakingpainstoclosethegap.Andthescenesofsexandintimacydidnotfeelchargedorchallenged;theyseemedpatheticandpitiable,butinthemostbanalway,soIhadlittlesympathyforFrancesorNickastheyembarkedontheiraffair.There'snotmuchmoretoit:again,it'sanovelofrelationships,andtherearen'thugeplotelementsorsetpiecesormassiveemotionalbombs.Itquietlycrawlsalong,neverfullyclimaxes,andresultedinasortofambivalentendingthatmadealotofsensetomebasedontheselfishnessofthesecharacters.IdobelieveSallyRooneyhaswritingtalent,andtherearesomegoodparagraphsanddialogueintermsofcraft.ButIcouldnotconnectwiththisbookatall,andwastooboredbythecharactersandweariedbytheproceedingstohatethem.Again,thewritingwasgoodenoughthatIthinkitwarrantstwostars,andperhapsotherpeoplewillfindmorethatspeakstothemfromthisbook.Butitwasabsolutelynotforme. ...more flag 1119likes · Like  · seereview Viewall53comments Nicole Readingthisreviewmakesmefeelsohappy,becauseIknewthatIcouldn’tpossiblybealoneinmytakeonthisbook.Iagreewithprettymucheveryth Readingthisreviewmakesmefeelsohappy,becauseIknewthatIcouldn’tpossiblybealoneinmytakeonthisbook.Iagreewithprettymucheverythingyousaid,includingthefactthatBobbiisadecentcharacterinabookfullofunviablecharacters.Iforcedmyselftofinishthisbookjusttounderstandwhateveryoneelselikedaboutit,onlytobedisappointed.Igaveit1starandIactuallytoldmyhusbandthatIwantedtoburnmycopy.Sigh… ...more Dec12,202104:53PM · flag AlyssaKratz 100percentagreed!Ialsoforcedmyselftofinishthisbook,andhadnoconnectiontothecharactersorplot.Assomeonewhostudiedforasemesteri 100percentagreed!Ialsoforcedmyselftofinishthisbook,andhadnoconnectiontothecharactersorplot.AssomeonewhostudiedforasemesterinDublinandfellinlovewiththecity,Iwasexcitedforittobethebackdropofthisbook.Unfortunately,Idon’tfeelthestorydidanyfavorstotherealIrishculture,orEuropeingeneral.Disappointingread.Igaveit2stars,butfeelIwasbeinggenerousindoingso! ...more Dec26,202109:01AM · flag Aug23,2017 Jill ratedit itwasamazing I’vebeenthinkingalotaboutaginglately:thewayourperspectivechangesandhowourneedforstability,trustandhealthyrelationshipsbecomesomuchmorevaluedthanintoxicating,crash-and-burnemotionalroller-coastersofouryoungeryears.IsaythisasmeansofintroductionbecausewhilereadingConversationswithFriends,itoccurredtomethatthosereaderswhoarenotfamiliarwiththeconfusingyetexhilaratingtimesofpoorchoicesmixedwithagreatdealofegotismandsenseofi I’vebeenthinkingalotaboutaginglately:thewayourperspectivechangesandhowourneedforstability,trustandhealthyrelationshipsbecomesomuchmorevaluedthanintoxicating,crash-and-burnemotionalroller-coastersofouryoungeryears.IsaythisasmeansofintroductionbecausewhilereadingConversationswithFriends,itoccurredtomethatthosereaderswhoarenotfamiliarwiththeconfusingyetexhilaratingtimesofpoorchoicesmixedwithagreatdealofegotismandsenseofinvulnerabilitymaynotlikeorrelatetothesecharacters.It’seasytomisstheprecisiondancethatSallyRooneyisperforminghere.Butthenisthisbookaboutthepoorchoicesofyouthoraboutoneparticularlyfracturedcharacterwhoisdestinedtokeepmakingthosechoicesintoadulthood?Thebookcentersontwogirlsintheirearly20s–ournarratorFrancesandBobbi,herbestfriendandone-timelover.Together,theymaketheacquaintanceofacoupleadecadeolder:thecomposedandsuccessfulMelissaandherhandsomehusbandNick,anemotionallyfragileactorwhosecareerseemstobestalleddespiteanabundanceoftalent.Inevitably,FrancesandNickhookup,wreckingmoredamageontheirownworldandontheworldsofeveryonearoundthem.The“conversations”alludedtointhetitleareeloquentlyexpressedbutnevergettotheheartofthings.Frances,whoisunabletoadmitherloveforNick—eventoherself—says,“Wecansleeptogetherifyouwant,butyoushouldknowI’monlydoingitironically.”Orlater:“Ijustdon’thavefeelingsconcerningwhetheryoufxxkyourwifeornot.It’snotanemotivetopicforme.”Ofcourseitis,andtheconstantself-harmFrancesimposesonherself—pickingfuriouslyathernails,bitingherinnercheek,cuttingherself—revealstheextentthatherrepressionisharmingher.AsFranceswhirlsinplace,theproductofanalcoholicfather,anenablermother,andherownmaking,thecoreofFrancesrevealsitself:shefeelslikeadamagedpersonwhodeservesnothing,believingthatthoseshelovesareexaltedandsomehowspecial.“Sufferingwouldn’tmakemespecial,andpretendingnottosufferwouldn’tmakemespecial,”shereflectsatonepoint.Torevealoneselfisdangerousinaworldthatoftenconspiresagainstyou.ThisisoneofthemostinterestingpsychologicalprofilesI’vereadinalongtimewithanendingthatmademegasp. ...more flag 986likes · Like  · seereview Viewall40comments Jun09,2017 Esil ratedit likedit Shelves: netgalley Averytepid3stars.ConversationswithFriendsisanotheroneofthosebooksaboutnotparticularlynicepeopleentangledinawkwardrelationships.I'vecertainlyreadmanybooksofthisnaturethatI'vefoundcleverandquiteenjoyed,butthisonewasjustok.FrancesandBobbi--bothyoungwomenwhousedtobeinarelationshipwitheachother--becomeentangledwithsomewhatolderheterosexualcoupleNickandMelissa.It'salltoldfromFrances'perspective.Shedoesn'tseemtobeableto Averytepid3stars.ConversationswithFriendsisanotheroneofthosebooksaboutnotparticularlynicepeopleentangledinawkwardrelationships.I'vecertainlyreadmanybooksofthisnaturethatI'vefoundcleverandquiteenjoyed,butthisonewasjustok.FrancesandBobbi--bothyoungwomenwhousedtobeinarelationshipwitheachother--becomeentangledwithsomewhatolderheterosexualcoupleNickandMelissa.It'salltoldfromFrances'perspective.Shedoesn'tseemtobeabletofigureoutwhatshewants.Nordoesanyoneelse.Itgetsmessyanditstaysprettymessy.IwasattractedtothisonepartiallybecauseitissetinDublin,butitcouldhavebeenanywhereinNorthAmericaorEurope.I'matalowthreestarsbecauseIdidenjoythethefirsthalfofConversationswithFriends,butmyenjoymentstartedtowaneinthesecondhalf.Frances'innergazeandself-centrednessstartedtofeelsuffocating.Idon'thavemuchmoretosay.Timetomoveontosomethingthatmakesmelessgrumpy.ThankstoNetgalleyandthepublisherforanopportunitytoreadanadvancecopy. ...more flag 861likes · Like  · seereview Viewall72comments May23,2019 emma ratedit itwasamazing Shelves: non-ya, gorgeous-covers, diverse, beautifully-written, owned, recommend, i-love-these-characters, favorites-2019, slump-worthy, auto-buy-authors havebeentrulydealtaseriesofdeathblowsthisweekfromtheheartlesschaosoftheuniverse,soiwillonceagainberereadingthebookthatsimultaneouslymakesmefeelbetterandso,somuchworseendof6threreadupdate:thisbookisprobablytheclosestthingihavetoreligion-----------whenyouseemeandlilyrereadingthiseverymonthin2021,mindyourbusiness-----------rereadthisinitsentiretyonaplanetobeonmymaincharactersh*t-----------whathastobewrongwithaper havebeentrulydealtaseriesofdeathblowsthisweekfromtheheartlesschaosoftheuniverse,soiwillonceagainberereadingthebookthatsimultaneouslymakesmefeelbetterandso,somuchworseendof6threreadupdate:thisbookisprobablytheclosestthingihavetoreligion-----------whenyouseemeandlilyrereadingthiseverymonthin2021,mindyourbusiness-----------rereadthisinitsentiretyonaplanetobeonmymaincharactersh*t-----------whathastobewrongwithapersonforConversationswithFriendstobeacomfortrereadforthem?askingformyself-----------Ihaveadebilitatingrereadingproblem.It’sreachedaconcerningpoint--seemingly1in3or4booksIreadisactuallyareread.PreviouslyIwaswaytoopickyaboutaddingbookstomyto-readlisttosufferamassiveTBRissue,butnowthatI’mbarelyreadingnewbooks,thepile(whichisaphysicaloneinthecornerofmyroom,stackedbycolorbecausea)rainbowshelvesforeverandb)Iamoutofshelfspace)islooming.Concerningly.https://emmareadstoomuch.wordpress.co...IfIdiemysteriously,Iwasprobablycrushedbythebluestack.(Ialsoseemtohaveaproblemwithbuyingbluebooks,specifically.)Anyway.MysolelimithasalwaysbeenthatImustwaitatleastoneyearaftermyinitialreadbeforereadingitagain.Thisismylastshredofrereading-relatedlogicandsanity.Thisbooksmashedthatsh*ttopieces.LessthanfivemonthsafterIreaditforthefirsttime,Iwasrereading.Icouldmakeexcuses.“MyflightwasdelayedandIonlybroughtonebook,”Icouldsay,anditwouldbetrue(andafatalmistakeandashameuponmybookwormtitle).“IhappenedtohavethisonebecausethepersonIlentittogaveitback.”Butitwasanighttimeflight,andIfinishedmyfirstbookonboard,andIhadtogooutofmywaytoturnonthatreadinglightthatisreallymoreofagoddamnchandelierconsideringhowwellitilluminateseverythinginaneight-footradius.(Sorry,everyonearoundme.)Also,itwasashortflightandIonlygot50orsopagesintoit.Ieasilycouldhaveputitdown.Thisiswhereit’sthebook’sfault.Thisstoryisnotaction-packed,norparticularlysuspenseful.Neitherisitjamfullofwhatyou’dcallExcitingEventsorevenatraditionallovestorythatgetsyourootingforyourcoupleinanyfamiliarway.Inspiteofallthat,itisabsolutelyunputdownable.ConversationswithFriends,ifyouareoneofthefewwhosomehowhaven’treadityet,isaboutFrancesand,lessso,herbestfriendandex-girlfriendBobbi.Francesisthoughtfulandcool(intheless-useddefinitionoftheword,accordingtomylexicon),Bobbiiseffervescentandcharming.Theyencounteramarriedcouple,MelissaandNick,andmuchofthenovelisdevotedtothechangingwaysinwhichthefourinteractwitheachother.Thewritingisbeautiful.SallyRooney’sstyleiscleanandsharpandtrue.Eachwordisthoughtfullychosen.Eachimagefeelsrealandcomplex.HerNewYorkerprofile(whichIreadinafitofdesperatelyneedingtogetmyhandsoneverythingRooneyhaswritten,inthewakeofmyfirstencounterwiththisbook)highlightsadescriptionofapartyatMelissa’shomeas“fullofmusicandpeoplewearinglongnecklaces.”Conversationsisteemingwithterse,evocativedescriptionslikethat,andifyou’reanythinglikemeonceyoustartreadingwritinglikethatyou’llneverwanttostop.BeingforcedtostopbythedearthofSallyRooneymaterialhasbeenverydifficultforme.Likethewriting,thecharacterizationissomehowspareandcompleteatonce.FrancesandBobbi,MelissaandNick,eventhebackgroundactorsandextrasoftheirlivesarestunninglyreal.IthinkaboutFrancesandNickespeciallyallthetime.Icanidentifystatementsinlifeas“veryBobbi”or“exactlyMelissa”or“totallysomethingFranceswouldsay.”Aboveall,thisbookcrawledinsidemyheadandstayedthere.Itever-so-slightlychangedthewaymybrainworks,butmostlyitmademefeelnoticedandheard.ItseemsawayoflookingattheworldIhadn’trealizedIascribedtoiscapturedinthesepages.It’ssurprisingandkindofspookyandI’mtrulygratefulIencounteredthisbookatall.Lastly,itwouldn’tbeareviewofmineifIdidn’tconfidentlywriteaboutsomethingI’mlikelynotqualifiedto.AndIwanttosayf*ckeverybodywhoactslikeSallyRooneyissomekindoflesserwriterbecauseshe’syoungandawoman.There’sadifferencebetweensaying“thiswriterisnotforme”and“Ididn’tlikethisbook,andthereforeeveryonewhocallsherbrilliantortalentedisactuallywrong.”Youdon’tspewthatsh*taboutthebajilliondeadwhitemalewriters.Yourinternalizedmisogynyandageismisshowing.Bottomline:SallyRooneyisbrilliantandtalented.Theend.❤️-----------justasjustasjustasgood-----------there'sneverawrongtimetoreadsallyrooney.evenifthatmeansarereadlessthan5monthsafterthefirsttimeyoureadit.-----------uppingthisto5starsbecauseican'tstopthinkingaboutit,andalsoinallthatthinkingican'trememberasingleflaw-----------IAMFEELING...SOMANYTHINGS.reviewtocome/4.5stars-----------iboughtthisbook2daysagoandhavenotreallyputitdownsince ...more flag 599likes · Like  · seereview Viewall39comments Mar26,2018 BarryPierce ratedit itwasok  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: 21st-century, read-in-2018 ThenarratorofSallyRooney'sConversationswithFriendsatonepointstatesthatsheneverwantstowork.Ihadnoplansastomyfuturefinancialsustainability:Ineverwantedtoearnmoneyfordoinganything.[...]I'dfeltthatmydisinterestinwealthwasideologicallyhealthy.I'dcheckedwhattheaverageyearlyincomewouldbeifthegrossworldproductwereevenlydividedamongeveryone,andaccordingtoWikipediaitwouldbe$16,100.Isawnoreason,politicalorfinancial,evertoma ThenarratorofSallyRooney'sConversationswithFriendsatonepointstatesthatsheneverwantstowork.Ihadnoplansastomyfuturefinancialsustainability:Ineverwantedtoearnmoneyfordoinganything.[...]I'dfeltthatmydisinterestinwealthwasideologicallyhealthy.I'dcheckedwhattheaverageyearlyincomewouldbeifthegrossworldproductwereevenlydividedamongeveryone,andaccordingtoWikipediaitwouldbe$16,100.Isawnoreason,politicalorfinancial,evertomakemoremoneythanthat.Youhavetoputupwiththisgirlfor321pages.Havefun! ...more flag 495likes · Like  · seereview Viewall31comments Jun30,2019 Elle(ellexamines) ratedit itwasamazing Shelves: z-2019reads, 5-star, elle-recs-list, contemporary, favorite-relationships, author-love, catharsis-dot-mp3, z-2017reads, z-2019favs, favorite-characters There’saclicheinreviewingwhereyousaysomethingalongtheselines:“Iwouldn’tlikethesecharactersinreallife,butIfoundthemcompelling.”See,Idon’tthinkthat’swhythisbookworks.Ithinkthisbookworksbecauseinreallifewewouldprobablylikethesecharacters;respecttheirtalent,findtheminterestingifattimesflawedorcondescending,lookuptothemonalevelatwhichwewouldattimesresentthemandattimeswanttobethem.It’sjustthatnoneofuswouldeverkn There’saclicheinreviewingwhereyousaysomethingalongtheselines:“Iwouldn’tlikethesecharactersinreallife,butIfoundthemcompelling.”See,Idon’tthinkthat’swhythisbookworks.Ithinkthisbookworksbecauseinreallifewewouldprobablylikethesecharacters;respecttheirtalent,findtheminterestingifattimesflawedorcondescending,lookuptothemonalevelatwhichwewouldattimesresentthemandattimeswanttobethem.It’sjustthatnoneofuswouldeverknowthesecharacters,becausethesecharactersdonotwanttobeknown. “Youunderestimateyourownpowersoyoudon'thavetoblameyourselffortreatingotherpeoplebadly.” ConversationswithFriendsisabookaboutfourpeople:twoex-girlfriendsandbestfriends,FrancesandBobbi,andamarriedcouple,NickandMelissa.FrancesandNickendupfalling,overtime,intoastrangeromance.But…it’snotaboutthecheating.Thebookrefusestomakeitthatsimple.BobbiandMelissahavetheirownstrangeconnection,asdoFrancesandBobbi,asdoNickandMelissa,ofcourse;thesixconnectionswithinthiscircleareallgivenbothpagetimeandweightwithinthenarrative.Onsomelevel,we’renotrootingforanyoneofthesecharactersovertheothers;weseethecomplexlevelsonwhichanyendingforthesefourwouldbepainful.Attimes,Idislikedallfourofthesecharacters;attimes,Ilovedallfour.Butatalltimes,theyfeltreal.(viewspoiler)[ThereisasceneinthisbookinwhichFrancesgoeshometoherfatherandplaysniceandawkwardforanafternoon,andlookingintoadishwasher,feels“asuddenimpulsetoharmherself.”Itissmallandbriefandathrowawaylineandyetitfeltsovivid,soreal,thatIwasunabletopulloutofmyheadthefeelingofstandingtherewaitingforthestormtocome,desperately,andsuddenlyfeelingasthoughtheworldwillcomeapartifyoudonothurtyourselfphysically,asignofhowyourinsidesarebeingtornapart.(hidespoiler)](viewspoiler)[There’salinewhereFrancessayssheenjoystalkingtoNickbecausehegivesherunconditionalempathy,whileBobbi“appliesherstandards”abouttheworldtoconversationsaboutFrances.Idon’tknowwhythathitsohardIjustknowthatitdid?(hidespoiler)]There’sthisquotefromaNewYorkTimesopedthatIthinkaboutalot:Frances’centralconflict,aswelearnoverthecourseofthisbook,isthatsheisunabletoallowotherstoseehervulnerability,toseethatshecaresforthemorishurtbythemoreventhatshesimplyenjoystheircompany.Shewishestobecoolanddistantandyetstillutterlylovable. “Theacclaimalsofeltlikepartoftheperformanceitself,thebestpart,andthemostpureexpressionofwhatIwastryingtodo,whichwastomakemyselfintothiskindofperson:someoneworthyofpraise,worthyoflove.” Theproblemisthatweneedtoallowourselvestobeknowntobetrulyloved.Itisthisrefusaltosubmittointimacythatbecomestheprimaryconflictofthebook;inherrelationshipwithBobbi,withNick,andevenwithMelissa,sheconstantlyattempts(withincreasingdesperation)torefuseanybreakingofherwalls.Itisonlyasthebookcontinuesthatshebeginstounderstandothersdoloveher,andwanttoknowher.Thisisabookmadeupoftinymomentsofhumanity,ofvulnerabilityandtenderness.Weseethesecharactersholduptheirwallsatalmosteverymomenttothepointthatanymomentoftendernessorkindnessbetweenthemfeelslikearevelation.Icriedseveraltimes,barelyknowingwhy;IjustknewIhurtforthesecharacters.Thisonewillstaywithmeforalong,longtime.Blog|Goodreads|Twitter|Instagram|Spotify|Youtube["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]> ...more flag 425likes · Like  · seereview Viewall17comments Dec16,2017 Bruno ratedit likedit  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: uk, contemporanea WHOEVENWRITESSOMANYEMAILSIRL??DON'TTHEYHAVEWHATSAPPINIRELAND? WHOEVENWRITESSOMANYEMAILSIRL??DON'TTHEYHAVEWHATSAPPINIRELAND? ...more flag 381likes · Like  · seereview Viewall8comments Nov19,2018 Rachel ratedit itwasamazing Shelves: favorites, 2018, disaster-women, irish, own, literary-fiction Thiswasstupidlygood.AfterrecentlylovingRooney'ssophomorenovelNormalPeoplemyexpectationsforConversationsWithFriendswerehigh,thoughIwasalsoabitwary;inthesesituationsI'malwaysafraidanauthor'sdebutisn'tgoingtoliveup.Ineedn'thaveworried.Thiswasperfectfromstarttofinish.Youknowthatfeelingwhenyoumissastairandyourstomachlurchesbrieflybeforeyouland-thiswasthatsensationinbookform.OnceagainIwasimpressedwithRooney'swriting;it Thiswasstupidlygood.AfterrecentlylovingRooney'ssophomorenovelNormalPeoplemyexpectationsforConversationsWithFriendswerehigh,thoughIwasalsoabitwary;inthesesituationsI'malwaysafraidanauthor'sdebutisn'tgoingtoliveup.Ineedn'thaveworried.Thiswasperfectfromstarttofinish.Youknowthatfeelingwhenyoumissastairandyourstomachlurchesbrieflybeforeyouland-thiswasthatsensationinbookform.OnceagainIwasimpressedwithRooney'swriting;it'ssimpleandseeminglyeffortless,butthekindofnaturalandconversationalcadencesheachievesisnoeasyfeat.Thesimultaneousintelligenceandlackoflifeexperienceofthenarrator,Frances,werecapturedsoconvincingly;fromthestartthiswasapersonthatIwantedtounderstand,whoseheadIwantedtoinhabitbriefly.SallyRooneywritesaboutinterpersonaldynamicswithsuchskillandeaseandsharpobservation,andthatwastheshiningpointofthisnovel,butwheneverFranceslookedinward,thosemomentswerealsocapturedwiththesameunnervingclarity.IrelatedtoFrancesandIdidn't;IsawbitsofmyselfinherandIfoundbitsofherunreachable.ButRooneymademecare,sheearnedmyinvestmentasIwatchedwithsympathyandfrustrationandanxietyasFrancesattemptedtonavigateanawkward,ill-thought-outaffairwithanoldermarriedman,adynamicwhichonlycomplicatedherlimitedunderstandingoflove,class,status,artisticfreedom,andbelonging.Ifyoucan'thandlebooksaboutunlikable,selfishpeople,youaren'tgoingtoenjoythis,andinthatsensealoneIdon'tnecessarilybelievethisbooktranscendsitspremise.It'saboutunlikable,selfishpeople,manyofwhomareblindtotheirprivilege.It'snotaboutthekindofpeopleyouwanttobe,orwanttobefriendswith.Butifyou'rewillingtosacrificelikabilityforrealism,andanunpredictableplotformomentsofstartlingself-reflection,thisisthebookforyou.IactuallyendeduppreferringthistoNormalPeople,butbothareasolid5starsandIamsimplydelightedthatSallyRooney'sbookshaveenteredmylife. ...more flag 278likes · Like  · seereview Viewall28comments jackie loveyourreview!manypeoplecomplainedabouthowunlikeablethecharacterswere,andidefinitelyagree(i’dneverwanttobefriendswithanyofth loveyourreview!manypeoplecomplainedabouthowunlikeablethecharacterswere,andidefinitelyagree(i’dneverwanttobefriendswithanyofthem),butifeelthatthatdidn’tmatteratall.ilovedhowtherewerespecificmomentsthaticoulddeeplyrelateto,andhowmuchtheymademefeel.theimperfectionofthecharactersalsofeltsoreal,sohuman.iwassoshookbythisbook.reallylookingforwardtomorenovelsbyher!!herproseisreallyoneofakind ...more Dec17,202006:32AM · flag Yael Ohiloveunlikableandselfishcharacters,butFrancesandNickwereplainboring Dec26,202108:28PM · flag May02,2018 SarahJessicaParker addedit Thisbookisincredible!Readitinoneday. flag 235likes · Like  · seereview Viewall6comments Sep02,2017 Danielle❤️PrettyMessReading❤️ ratedit itwasok **2STARS***shouldershrug*Unfilteredreviewhttps://wp.me/p7ZSCH-3dCReadingthesynopsisofthebookhadmeexcited.IjustknewIwasgoingtolovethisbook.ItsoundedlikeIwasgoingtogetalittlebitofYAandNAcombinedintoonebrilliantmasterpiece.Sadly,forme,thatdidnothappen.IwanttostartwiththefirstanddeepestreasonwhyIneverconnectedwiththisbook.It’sabigone,lovers.Therearenoquotationmarks.ItwasextremelyannoyingreadingabookwhenIcouldn’ttel **2STARS***shouldershrug*Unfilteredreviewhttps://wp.me/p7ZSCH-3dCReadingthesynopsisofthebookhadmeexcited.IjustknewIwasgoingtolovethisbook.ItsoundedlikeIwasgoingtogetalittlebitofYAandNAcombinedintoonebrilliantmasterpiece.Sadly,forme,thatdidnothappen.IwanttostartwiththefirstanddeepestreasonwhyIneverconnectedwiththisbook.It’sabigone,lovers.Therearenoquotationmarks.ItwasextremelyannoyingreadingabookwhenIcouldn’ttellifacharacterisactuallytalkingtosomeoneorifthere’ssomeinnerdialoguegoingone.HalfthetimeIdidn’tknowwhowastalking.Letmegiveyouaquickexampleandyoucandecideforyourself. Bobbi,Isaid.Doesmyfacelookshiny?Bobbiglancedbackandscruncheduphereyestoinspectme.Yeah,alittlebit,shesaid.Ilettheairoutofmylungsquietly.Therewasn’tanythingIcoulddonowanywaysinceIwasonthestairsalready.IwishedIhadn’tasked.Notinabadway,shesaid.Youlookcute,why? Itwasthemostdistractingthingtodealwithintheentirebook.Icanrespectanauthor’sdesiretobedifferentortotrysomethingnewbutthis,noquotationthingwaswaytoomuchforme.Asanavidreader,Iseverelydislikeloadsofgrammaticalerrors.Afewhereandtherearenotaproblembuttoomanybotherstheshitoutofme.IfIweretheeditorforthisbookIwouldhaveadvisedtheauthoronthe100differentwayswhy,whateverthatthingwas,wasasilly,silly,sillyidea.IknowthatIoftenhavemanygrammaticalerrorsinmyblogpost,butI’mnotaprofessionalwriterandmyhusbandismy“editor”,soIdon’treallycare.IfIweretowriteanactualbook,trustmewhenIsaythatIwouldpayagreatdealofmoneyforaprofessionaleditorwithagreatreputationtoedittheshitoutofmybook.NotoncedidIfeelconnectedwiththecharacters.Itwaslikesittingthroughamoviewhentheactorswerecompleteshit.Themaincharacter,Frances's,lackofselfesteemandselfloathingwastoomuch.Everythingaboutherwasflat.Icouldn’tcarelessaboutherlifeifItried.Everythingaboutthewayhercharacterwaswrittenwasverystoicandmater-of-fact.NotoncedidIseeanexclamationpoint.Everysentenceendedineitherwithaperiodorquestionmark.Therewasnopassionforthewords.Thiswentonfortheentirebook.Iwassobored.Threehundredpageofdetachedandimpassivewords.Allinall,thisbookwasn’tformeandIwouldn’trecommenditforanyofmyreadingfriends,ever.Iwishtheauthorgreatsuccessinthefuture.Oh,shit,IforgottoletyouknowifIlikedthestory.No,Ididnot.Itwasoddandunbelievable–thatcouldhavebeendowntothewritingaswell.IfIwasn’taskedtoreadandreviewthisbookfromthepublisher,Iwouldnothavefinishedit. ...more flag 201likes · Like  · seereview Viewall36comments Apr11,2020 Thomas ratedit likedit  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: own-physical, lgbtq, realistic-fiction, adult-fiction MycontroversialtakeonthisbookisthatitcouldalsobetitledSelf-absorbedWhitePeoplehaveFeelingsToo.BeforeIgetintothattake,IdothinkSallyRooneyaccomplishesquitealotwithherdebutnovelConversationswithFriends.ThebookfollowsFrancesandherbestfriendBobbi,whobecomeentangledwithamarriedcouple,NickandMelissa.FrancesandNickbeginanaffairwhichgetsintense,andmuchofthesecharacters’relationshipswithoneanotherthickenwhenBobbiandMelissaf MycontroversialtakeonthisbookisthatitcouldalsobetitledSelf-absorbedWhitePeoplehaveFeelingsToo.BeforeIgetintothattake,IdothinkSallyRooneyaccomplishesquitealotwithherdebutnovelConversationswithFriends.ThebookfollowsFrancesandherbestfriendBobbi,whobecomeentangledwithamarriedcouple,NickandMelissa.FrancesandNickbeginanaffairwhichgetsintense,andmuchofthesecharacters’relationshipswithoneanotherthickenwhenBobbiandMelissafindout.Thoughthissetupmaysoundlikearecipeforaprettyshallowbook,Rooney’swritingmakesthestoryincrediblyinteresting.Herdialogueissharpandcompellingeventhoughhercharacters’livesarekindashallow,shedescribeshercharacters’interiorlivesreallywell,andbecauseofthesequalitiesIliterallystayedupuntil1amtofinishthisnovellastnight.Rooneyalsocreatesacomplexandintriguingnon-monogamousrelationshipsetupbetweenherfourmaincharacterswhichspeakstothepotentialofloveoutsideoftraditionalheterosexualmonogamy.Finally,Iloved,loved,lovedBobbiasacharacter,perhapsinlargepartbecausesheremindedmealotofmewithherself-assurednessandsocialjusticebarbs.KudostoRooneyforcreatingsuchacool,iconicbestfriendforFrances.Thecharacters’lackofgrowthlimitsmypraiseforthisnovel.Rooneydoesagreatjobofmakingprettynarcissisticcharactersinteresting.Evenbeyondmakingtheminteresting,shehumanizesthem,especiallyourmaincharacterFrances.TherearesomemomentsofemotionaldepthandinsightinConversationswithFriends,andwhentheyhit,they’reprettyrad.Yet,IwantedsomuchmorefromFrancesandfromhowRooneyconstructedFrances’srelationshipwithNick.Francesisself-effacing,ratherself-centered,andcrueltopeoplesheiscloseto.HerrelationshipwithNickonlyheightenstheseattributes.Towardtheendofthebook,there’ssomeacknowledgementthatFrancesisthiswayandafewpagesofsomegrowth(e.g.,apologizingtopeopleshe’shurt),yetIwantedmorefromher.Tobehonest,I’mnotsurehowfairitisthatIwantedmorefromher–likemaybeit’s“okay”thatshe’skindofajerkbecauseperhapsthat’showsomepeopleare,jerkswhoatsomepointbecomealittlelesslikejerksyetstillareemotionallymessy.Forme,though,thesophisticationofthewritingandtheoverallstyleofcharacterizationobscuredwhatcouldhavebeendeepermomentsofgrowthforFrances,aswellasforNick.Overall,asuperintriguingnovel.EventhoughIdidn’tloveitIrespectitsqualityenoughtothepointwhereIamstillconsideringreadingRooney’ssecondbook,NormalPeople.Inthehandsofanyotherauthor,Iprobablywould’vedespisedthisbookandfeltthatitwas300pagesofpeoplewithawfulinterpersonalskillswholackself-awareness.AndwhileIdofeelthatthisbookis300pagesofpeoplewithawfulinterpersonalskillswholackself-awareness,Rooney’stalentmakesthestoryandcharactersshineintheirownself-absorbedway. ...more flag 191likes · Like  · seereview Viewall11comments Jul21,2018 ElyseWalters ratedit itwasamazing Audiobook...readbyAliceMcMahonTheaudio-narrationwaswonderfullyaliveanaddictive.Grantedthisisn’texactlyabookaparentwouldeverrecommendtotheiryoungadult-20-isholdchild-daughterorson...asthisisnotaneducationalbookoninspiringrelationships—Butforme—asa66yearoldmarriedfartwhovalueshonesty-withlittle-to-zerorespectforadultery...(consentedisuptothecouple-‘lies’-destroyothers)....Regardless.....Ienjoyedthe‘conversations’..thefunny/ Audiobook...readbyAliceMcMahonTheaudio-narrationwaswonderfullyaliveanaddictive.Grantedthisisn’texactlyabookaparentwouldeverrecommendtotheiryoungadult-20-isholdchild-daughterorson...asthisisnotaneducationalbookoninspiringrelationships—Butforme—asa66yearoldmarriedfartwhovalueshonesty-withlittle-to-zerorespectforadultery...(consentedisuptothecouple-‘lies’-destroyothers)....Regardless.....Ienjoyedthe‘conversations’..thefunny/sensualscenes,andallthedrama.IfeltRooney’sdialogueflowedsowell--itdidn’tdrivemeintomyhead-mybodysimplyabsorbedthetellingofthisstory.Somebooksareselfishlyforourselves-asthisoneturnedouttobeforme.Iwon’tevenbegintotrytointellectualizewhyIlikedit...butIdid!I’mwon’trecommendittomostpeople..becauseforstartersIdon’tusuallyrecommendbooksaboutmessy‘affairs’...ButIgottashare—IlaughedsillywhenIwasinthehospitalparkinggaragelookingforaparkingspotlisteningtoasexscene...whenFrances(thenarrator)saystoNickthenightoftheirfirst‘cheating’Rondevoo(he’smarried)........itwasthefirsttimeshehadsexwithAMAN,too...FrancessaystoNick:“Boy,I’msureIlikedthatmorethanyoudid”....Ilaughedsohard-Imissedanavailableparkingspot!!Thisisoneofthoseartsy,sexy-literary/naughty-booksaboutyoungrelationshipswithallthethingsyouDON’TwantYOURdaughtermixedupin.Shhhh,ILOVEDIT!!! ...more flag 159likes · Like  · seereview Viewall14comments Feb15,2019 Hannah ratedit itwasamazing  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: fiction, would-take-on-an-island-with-me, loved-it Ihavespentthelastdaysperiodicallyexclaiming“God,whatabook”(ormorecorrectly,becauseIdospeakGermaninmyreallife,“Gott,waseinBuch!”or“DiesesBuch!”).Iamfeelingvaguelyguiltyforhavinggivenotherbooksfivestarsbecausethisbookisjustsomuchmorethanmostofthose.IaminnowayobjectiveinmyabsoluteadorationandIdon’tthinkIcanadequatelyarticulatehowverybrilliantIthoughtthiswas,sostickwithmewhileIsquealandtalkinsuperlatives.Idrag Ihavespentthelastdaysperiodicallyexclaiming“God,whatabook”(ormorecorrectly,becauseIdospeakGermaninmyreallife,“Gott,waseinBuch!”or“DiesesBuch!”).Iamfeelingvaguelyguiltyforhavinggivenotherbooksfivestarsbecausethisbookisjustsomuchmorethanmostofthose.IaminnowayobjectiveinmyabsoluteadorationandIdon’tthinkIcanadequatelyarticulatehowverybrilliantIthoughtthiswas,sostickwithmewhileIsquealandtalkinsuperlatives.Idraggedmyfeetreadingthisbookbecausethereviewsareallovertheplaceanditcouldhavebeensoobnoxious(andsomepeoplethinkitis!):Imean,abookfocussingonfourfairlyprivilegedyoungpeoplemakingthemselvesmiserable?Abookwhereathirty-somethingmarriedmanstartsanaffairwitha20-year-oldcollegestudent?Butthisbookhitmeinalltherightplaces.Rooneyexpertlyweaveshertale,hercharacterizationissharpenoughtocut,andherprotagonistisaflawedpieceofbrilliance.FrancesgroundsthisstoryinawaythatworkedexceedinglywellformeandIfoundher,whileinfuriating,insanelyrelatableandincrediblytruetolife.Otherreviewershavecharacterizedherasunlikable–butIcouldnotdisagreemore.Shebehavesstupidly,sure,butsheisalsolostandsadandsharplybooksmartwhilelackingemotionalintelligenceandIfoundhersoverycompelling.Sheisboththemoreactivepartoftherelationshipwhilealsolettingthingsjusthappenwithouttakingaction.Sheisincapableofcommunicatingeffectivelywhilestillbeingobservant.Rooneyalsomanagessomethingincrediblehere:shemademefeelforthethirty-year-oldmansleepingwithamuchyoungerwomanandlyingtohiswife.Nickcouldhavebeenawalkingcliché,butRooneymadehimsomuchmorewell-roundedwhileneverflinchingawayfromthefactthathebehavesatrociously.Everysingleoneofthefourmaincharactersfeltrealinawaythatfictionalcharacterssorarelydo,preciselybecauseRooneyletsthembecontradictoryand,yes,sometimesunpleasant.ButformethisunpleasantnessneverovershadowedthesympathyIfeltforallofthem.Icannotseethisbooknottoppingmybestoftheyearlist,whichontheonehandisgreat,ontheotherhanditisonlyMarchandIhaveawholelotWomen’sPrizereadingaheadofme.IwillreadeverythingRooneyhadeverwrittenorwilleverwrite,startingwithNormalPeoplewhenit’llarrivethisweekend.Onreread:Stillaperfectbook.Youcanfindthisreviewandotherthoughtsonbooksonmyblog. ...more flag 158likes · Like  · seereview Viewall18comments May17,2019 Maxwell ratedit reallylikedit  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: owned, novel-company, ireland IreallyadmireSallyRooney’swriting.Herstoriesaren’tperfect,justlikehercharacters,buttheyfeelveryauthentic. flag 151likes · Like  · seereview View2comments Jan22,2017 Blair ratedit itwasok  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: read-on-kindle, 2017-release, contemporary, netgalley, first-novels IthinkthisbookmighthaveworkedbetterformeifI'dreaditbeforeElifBatuman'sTheIdiot.BatumanandRooneygivetheirnarratorssimilarvoices:sharp,clearanddeadpanbutexcessivelyself-aware.Bothuseemailconversationstomapoutthedevelopmentofarelationship.Bothnovelsaretoldfromtheperspectiveofnaive,supposedlyintelligentyoungwomenwhoappearlargelypassive,fallingintoparticularcoursesofactionmorebecauseofthelackofaviablealternativethananygre IthinkthisbookmighthaveworkedbetterformeifI'dreaditbeforeElifBatuman'sTheIdiot.BatumanandRooneygivetheirnarratorssimilarvoices:sharp,clearanddeadpanbutexcessivelyself-aware.Bothuseemailconversationstomapoutthedevelopmentofarelationship.Bothnovelsaretoldfromtheperspectiveofnaive,supposedlyintelligentyoungwomenwhoappearlargelypassive,fallingintoparticularcoursesofactionmorebecauseofthelackofaviablealternativethananygreatimpetusontheirpart.WhenIsay'supposedlyintelligent'hereI'mreallyonlyreferringtoRooney'sFrances:sheseemslittlemorethanaposerwhenjuxtaposedwithBatuman'sprotagonistSelin,whoisimbuedwithsuchpalpableintellectualpowerthatherobservationsandideascrackleoffthepage.TheplotfollowsFrancesandBobbi,herbestfriendandex-girlfriend,astheybecomeentangledwithanalluringoldercouple.InitiallythisismainlybecauseBobbiispursuingMelissa,anartist,butsoonFrancesentersintoanaffairwithNick,Melissa'sactorhusband.ThewholestoryistoldfromFrances'pointofview.Thisisacharacter-drivennovel,andforme,thecharactersweretheproblem.Onapersonallevel,Ihated(mostof)them;onacriticallevelIfelttheylackedthenecessarydepthtomaketheplotwork(inparticular,IdidnotbelieveinMelissaandNickasathirtysomethingmarriedcouple).WhenIthinkaboutit,FrancesistruetoalotofwhatIrememberaboutbeing21–herthoughtsareself-absorbed,self-flagellatingandgullible,herconversationsfilledwithmildlyendearing,veryperformativeintellectualposturing–butforwhateverreason,shemademerollmyeyeswithexasperationratherthanfeelnostalgicforthatperiodofmyownlife.IncontrasttothelikesofTheIdiotandStephanieDanler'sSweetbitter,whichofferfresh,provocativeanddelightfulreinterpretationsofthecoming-of-ageplot,ConversationswithFriendsisthesortofbookthatmakesmethinkmaybeIshouldstopreadingfictionaboutpeopleyoungerthanme.Almosteveryoneinitisirredeemablynarcissistic,pretentiousandnowherenearassmartastheythinktheyare.IwantedtoslapFrancesandpunchNick.Thedisproportionateireaimedatstoriesaboutwomenwhohaveaffairshaslongbeenapethateofmine,butinthiscase,IcouldfindabsolutelynosympathyforFrancesandjustfeltirritatedeverytimeshegotboggeddowninheremotionaldistressoverNick.Unfortunately,thismakesupanawfullotofthebook.ThenarrativeisalwaysbestwhenitmovesawayfromFrancesandNick'srelationship.AnepisodeinwhichFrancesistakentohospitalislucidlyrealised,andingeneralRooney'sdescriptionsofsicknessandpainarepowerful.Bobbiisintriguing,thoughthetightfocusonFrancesdoesn'tquiteallowenoughroomforthereadertoseethecharismaticfigureothercharacterstreatheras.(I'dhavepreferredthestory–oratleastpartofit–tobetoldfromBobbi'sperspective.)Soyeah–IlovedRooney'swritinghere,she'ssotalented,andincrediblyyoungtohavewrittenanovelsopoisedandpolished.DespitetheissuesIhadwithConversationswithFriends,I'mreallylookingforwardtoreadingmorefromher.Ijusthopeshewritesaboutlessinsufferablepeoplenexttime.IreceivedanadvancereviewcopyofConversationswithFriendsfromthepublisherthroughNetGalley.TinyLetter|Linktree ...more flag 141likes · Like  · seereview Viewall6comments Mar28,2019 Michael ratedit reallylikedit Shelves: 2019 Compellingandcool, ConversationswithFriends placesmillennialmalaiseandanunexpectedloveaffairagainstthebackdropofsummertimeDublin.Thefast-pacedplotfollowsapairofprivilegedcollege-agedperformancepoetsandexes,BobbiandFrances,astheybecomeentangledwithanolder,slightlyfamousmarriedcouple,NickandMelissa.ThebulkofthestoryconcernstheriseandfallofNickandFrances'sromance.Thetwoflirtbymessenger,bondingovertheirsharedlackofdirection,a Compellingandcool, ConversationswithFriends placesmillennialmalaiseandanunexpectedloveaffairagainstthebackdropofsummertimeDublin.Thefast-pacedplotfollowsapairofprivilegedcollege-agedperformancepoetsandexes,BobbiandFrances,astheybecomeentangledwithanolder,slightlyfamousmarriedcouple,NickandMelissa.ThebulkofthestoryconcernstheriseandfallofNickandFrances'sromance.Thetwoflirtbymessenger,bondingovertheirsharedlackofdirection,armchairsocialism,andsharpwits;FrancessoonhassexforthefirsttimewithNick,thetwovacationataFrenchbeachhouse,and,inevitably,Melissadiscoversandcoolyrespondstotheaffair.Thefalloutismessyandstrange.Interestingly,thedramaofthestoryisovershadowedbythenovel'sincisivedialogue.TheconversationsFranceshaswithBobbi,Nick,andMelissaassumeavarietyofforms—furtiveemailmessages,mutedface-to-faceinteractions,rushedtexts—andthecharactersmuseabouteverythingfromloveunderlatecapitalismtothemeritsofanarchism.Therapidconversations,alongwithRooney'sexhilaratingprose,makethenovelmoveatadizzyingpace.Wellworthreading. ...more flag 126likes · Like  · seereview Oct10,2021 Rae ratedit itwasamazing Shelves: favorites-i-guess, honey-ur-so-gorgeous Thisbookhasincrediblyself-indulgentandterriblecharacters,thereisneitherahealthynoranon-toxicrelationship,thereisn’tmuchplot,andI’mprettysureallthesepeopleneedtherapy(orabettertherapist).Iamjustgoingtocomeoutandsaythatdespiteallthatanyway,thisbookhasbewitchedme,bodyandsoul.Iamtrulyinlovewithit. “Iranmyfingeralonghiscollarboneandsaid:Ican’trememberifIthoughtaboutthisatthebeginning.Howitwasdoomedtoendunha Thisbookhasincrediblyself-indulgentandterriblecharacters,thereisneitherahealthynoranon-toxicrelationship,thereisn’tmuchplot,andI’mprettysureallthesepeopleneedtherapy(orabettertherapist).Iamjustgoingtocomeoutandsaythatdespiteallthatanyway,thisbookhasbewitchedme,bodyandsoul.Iamtrulyinlovewithit. “Iranmyfingeralonghiscollarboneandsaid:Ican’trememberifIthoughtaboutthisatthebeginning.Howitwasdoomedtoendunhappily.Henodded,lookingatme.Idid,hesaid.Ijustthoughtitwouldbeworthit.” I’mhavingareallyhardtimereviewingConversationwithFriendsandhonestly,Idon'tevenknowwheretostart.WhatIdoknowisthatSallyRooneyisabrilliantwriter,herabilitytodrawanincrediblysharp-wittedcommentaryonacertainthingthatyou’veknownallyourlifebutcannotarticulateintowordsissoinexplicablyamazing.Thiswomanisabletojustwritethesethingssoeffortlesslyanditjustreallyspeaksvolumesofhertalentasawriter.Thewritingstyleissouniqueandcaptivating-it'swhatmakesthisbooksurprisinglyrefreshingtoreaddespitetheheavinessofitscontent.It’sasomberbook,andRooneyisabletocapturetheloneliness,frustration,andjustthewholemessinessoftheintricatelycompellingtangledthreadsofhumanrelations,andI’msimplyentrancedbyhowshepresentsitthroughthisbook.However,thegreatestexperienceofallwithreadingthisbook,Ithink,wasthatIdidn’tfeellikemyownperson-itneverfeltlikeIwasactuallyreadingit.Theentiretime,IlegitimatelyfeltasifIwasinsideFrances'mindandthatastoundsandscaresmebecausehermonologueishonestlysoterrifyinglyastuteyetimmersivethatbytheendofthisbook,Ifeltlikesomeonesplashedawholebucketofcoldwateratme.Itwasastartlingwaketoreality,andit’sjustthatbook,y’know?PS.So,thisisRooney'sdebutnovelandwow,thiswomancoulddescribehergrocerylistandI'dprobablydevouritwhole.IactuallyreadNormalPeoplefirstandIthinkIjustloveitaslightlybitmorethanthisone,althoughthisbookisstellarinitsownright.It'soneofthebestbooksIreadthisyear,possiblymywholelife,andwow,,howdoyouexpectmetogetoverthisbook?(also:istheMariannehereourMariannefromNP??)PPS.SallyRooney'sdedicationtonotusequotationmarksisgrowingonme,Ithinkit'swhatmademelovethisbookmoreTBH.PPPS.SimilartoNormalPeople,Ireallywouldn'trecommendthistoeveryone?Ratherthanthat,I'drecommendifyoudoreadthisbooktokeepanopenmindbecausethecharacterswillcertainlynotbeuptoone'smoralstandards(it'sabookaboutacollegegirlhavinganaffairwithsomeone'shusband,whatmoredoyouexpect?).Iwillreaffirmthattheyarehorriblepeopleandthatyoucannotexpectanythinglessthanthat.Ican'treallydescribewhatIloveaboutthisbook,I'mprettysureSallyRooneycouldprobablydescribeitbetterthanme,butitjusthasthatclassicvibesintoitsomehowandI'mprettysurethat'sblasphemousbutIfeellikethisisoneofthosebooksthatyoucanreadoverandover,andeachtime,you'dgrowtoappreciateitmore. ...more flag 113likes · Like  · seereview Jun30,2019 AdamDalva ratedit reallylikedit Very,verystrong,thoughIprefertheping-pongingperspectivesofthewonderfulNORMALPEOPLE.Rooneyhassuchanuncannyknackforlovesquaresandcliffhangers,andyou'llflythroughthis,asIdid.Heraffectlessproseisstartling,thoughCWFhasafewlinguisticflourishes,especiallytowardtheend,thatslightlyimbalancethetext.Sheisamasterofplot,oftheimportanceofgestures,anddesire.Theoneotherthingaboutthisbookisthattheleadrepeatedlymakesthesamemistakei Very,verystrong,thoughIprefertheping-pongingperspectivesofthewonderfulNORMALPEOPLE.Rooneyhassuchanuncannyknackforlovesquaresandcliffhangers,andyou'llflythroughthis,asIdid.Heraffectlessproseisstartling,thoughCWFhasafewlinguisticflourishes,especiallytowardtheend,thatslightlyimbalancethetext.Sheisamasterofplot,oftheimportanceofgestures,anddesire.Theoneotherthingaboutthisbookisthattheleadrepeatedlymakesthesamemistakeineachofthe4plotcenters(health,father,ex-gf,potentialbf)ofthenovel-shedoesn'tcommunicate.Thoughthisisaconsistentcharactertrait,Ifoundmyselfwishingforabitmorevariety.IseewhythisdebutbroughtRooneyattention-she'sastar. ...more flag 110likes · Like  · seereview Viewall4comments Jan25,2020 Susanne ratedit itwasamazing  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: favorite-authors, goodreads-best-of-list-2020, library-book, 2020-five-star-books 5Stars.Entanglements,myohmy!“ConversationswithFriends”bySallyRooneyhadmeALMOSTfromthegetgo.Atfirst,admittedly,IwonderedWHATinHECK,Iwaslisteningtoo.Frances…ramblingonabouthergoingson…hertrystswithherschoolfriendBobbi..whichwentfromsteamytoplatonicveryquickly.Frances’sdescriptionofherandBobbi’spoetryreadingsandawomannamedMelissa’simmediateintrigueinthemandthenBOOM.SomewherealongthewayIbeganlisteningwithinterest,whicht 5Stars.Entanglements,myohmy!“ConversationswithFriends”bySallyRooneyhadmeALMOSTfromthegetgo.Atfirst,admittedly,IwonderedWHATinHECK,Iwaslisteningtoo.Frances…ramblingonabouthergoingson…hertrystswithherschoolfriendBobbi..whichwentfromsteamytoplatonicveryquickly.Frances’sdescriptionofherandBobbi’spoetryreadingsandawomannamedMelissa’simmediateintrigueinthemandthenBOOM.SomewherealongthewayIbeganlisteningwithinterest,whichthenbecamecuriosityandfascination.ThemomentNick,Melissa’shusbandappeared,Iwascompletelyhooked.SallyRooneyhasawayofluringmein.Drawingmein,inawaywhereIcan’tpullmyselfaway.Therelationshipsinthisnovelareextremelycomplicated.Thoughthereshouldbeasenseofrightandwrong,somehowthereisn’t.Looksexchanged..feelingsenmeshed,actscompleted.Thereisnofinalityhere.IreadSallyRooney’s“NormalPeople”beforethisandonceagain,I’mleftfeelingunsettled,wonderingaboutthecharacters.IwillsaythatIsmiledwhentheaudiobookended.Iwashappywithwhereitleftoffandyet,Iwasabitonedge,thinking“no,don’t,”allthewhilethinking“yesplease.”SomehowSallyRooneyhasthisabilitytoleavemeinaplacewhereIamconflictedandIloveit.“ConversationswithFriends”isacharacterdrivennovelthatimmediatelygrabbedmyattentionandhadmegluedtotheaudiobook.ThenarrationbyAliceMcMahonwasstellarandIapplaudSallyRooneyforherbrilliantlywrittennovel.Ianxiouslyawaitwhatshecomesupwithnext.Thankyoutomylocallibraryforlendingmethisfabulousnovel.PublishedonGoodreadson1.25.19. ...more flag 103likes · Like  · seereview Viewall32comments Nov11,2021 Rebecca ratedit itwasamazing  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: contemporary, 2021 FrancesandBobbiarebestfriendsandexgirlfriends.They'veknowneachotherforalongtimeandhavebeenfriendssincehighschool.ThetwonowperformspokenwordpoetrytogetherasasidewhilestudyinginDublin.WhentheyareapproachedbyMelissa,ajournalist,theyseethemselvesenteringaworldofsuccessandwealth.Eachisdrawntoaspouse,BobbitoMelissaandFrancestoMelissa'shusband,Nick.GraduallythesebondsevolveandsoonenoughFrancesfeelsthingsspiraloutofcontr FrancesandBobbiarebestfriendsandexgirlfriends.They'veknowneachotherforalongtimeandhavebeenfriendssincehighschool.ThetwonowperformspokenwordpoetrytogetherasasidewhilestudyinginDublin.WhentheyareapproachedbyMelissa,ajournalist,theyseethemselvesenteringaworldofsuccessandwealth.Eachisdrawntoaspouse,BobbitoMelissaandFrancestoMelissa'shusband,Nick.GraduallythesebondsevolveandsoonenoughFrancesfeelsthingsspiraloutofcontrol.Therewassomethingsotherapeuticaboutreadingthis.Whichisoddbecauseithadakindofdepressingundertone.Ifeltseenandcomfortedbythisstory.Francesremindedmeofmyyoungerselfsomuch.Which,ifyoumetmenowwouldbehardtobelieve!Thewritingisbeautiful,it’swritteninsucha‘matter-of-fact’authenticway.Icouldfeelmyselfabsorbingeveryword.Ilovedit.Ihaven’treadNormalPeoplebutaworkcolleaguepersuadedmetowatchthetelevisionserieswhenitfirstairedandIlovedit.ThereisnodenyingSallyRooneyistalented.Iunderstandthehypenow. ...more flag 103likes · Like  · seereview Viewall23comments May27,2017 Marchpane ratedit likedit Shelves: arc-from-netgalley ConversationswithFriends(thetitleandsunnycoverarefairlymisleading)isastark,reflectivenovelwhichasksthereadertoinhabitthemindof21yearoldpoetandcollegestudent,Frances.Sheappearstobecoollydetachedfromherfeelings,atleastinthebeginning,andanalyticaltothepointofneurosis.WegetasenseofFrances'excruciatingself-consciousnessatthestartofthenovel,whensheandherex-girlfriendBobbiareinvitedbacktothehomeofMelissa,a"slightlyfamous ConversationswithFriends(thetitleandsunnycoverarefairlymisleading)isastark,reflectivenovelwhichasksthereadertoinhabitthemindof21yearoldpoetandcollegestudent,Frances.Sheappearstobecoollydetachedfromherfeelings,atleastinthebeginning,andanalyticaltothepointofneurosis.WegetasenseofFrances'excruciatingself-consciousnessatthestartofthenovel,whensheandherex-girlfriendBobbiareinvitedbacktothehomeofMelissa,a"slightlyfamous"writer/photographerthey'vejustmet.Inthetaxi,Francesis"readyforthechallengeofvisitingastranger'shome,alreadypreparingcomplimentsandcertainfacialexpressionstomakemyselfseemcharming".Uponarriving,shemakesapointofdecidingto"remembereverythingaboutherhome,soIcoulddescribeittoourotherfriendslaterandBobbicouldagree".ThenovelfollowsherandherartsycirclefrompoetryreadingstodinnerpartiestoaholidayatabeachhouseinFrance.Theplot,suchasitis,mainlydealswithsexualentanglementsandjealousieswithinthegroup.Thesecharactersaredisconnected,bothemotionallyandintheliteral,digitalsense.Tindermakesabriefappearance,andthere'sonementionofFacebook,butotherwisethisbookcouldalmostbesetatanytimeinthepast20years.Communicationisviaemailandinstantmessaging,andthere'snosenseofthehyperconnected,socialmedia-fuelledworldweliveinnow.Presumablythiswasdeliberate(theauthoris25),butitjustfeelsanachronisticandatoddswiththebook'srealism.Frances'musingsarealternatelymundane,lambent,andpretentious,asbefitsayoungpersonwithmoreintelligencethanexperience.It'snotclearwhethershe'sbecomeanywiserbytheend,forallherintrospection,butIguessthat'snotthepoint.It'smoreaboutexploringthenatureofrelationshipsandthepowerdynamicswithinthem.Thisnovel,likeitscharacters,ispessimisticandaloof,aswellasincisiveandreal.Unnerving,andoccasionallyscrapingclosetothebone,andyou'vegottorespectwritingthatcanachievethat. ...more flag 97likes · Like  · seereview Viewall8comments Mar12,2020 DaveSchaafsma ratedit itwasamazing Shelves: books-loved-2020, fiction-21st-century “You’retwenty-one,saidMelissa.Youshouldbedisastrouslyunhappy.I’mworkingonit,Isaid.”ConversationsAmongFriendsbySallyRooneyIlistenedtobecauseofoneofitstopics,conversations,talk,andbecauseIhadjustreadandtaughthersecondbook,NormalPeople.IhavetosayIlovedbothbooks,whereeachofthecentralfemalecharactersineachbookisverysimilar,physicallyquiteabitlikewhatRooneyappearstolooklike.Thetwomaincharacterssharesomedeeplyconcerningp “You’retwenty-one,saidMelissa.Youshouldbedisastrouslyunhappy.I’mworkingonit,Isaid.”ConversationsAmongFriendsbySallyRooneyIlistenedtobecauseofoneofitstopics,conversations,talk,andbecauseIhadjustreadandtaughthersecondbook,NormalPeople.IhavetosayIlovedbothbooks,whereeachofthecentralfemalecharactersineachbookisverysimilar,physicallyquiteabitlikewhatRooneyappearstolooklike.ThetwomaincharacterssharesomedeeplyconcerningpersonalitycharacteristicsthatmademestopandwanttotextRooneytoseeifshewasnotinfactsendingusallacry-for-helpmessageinthesebooksaboutherownself-destructivetendencies.Iknow,Iknowallaboutthatauthor/narratorfallacy.Booksoffictionmaynotnecessarilyrevealanythingatallabouttheauthor,butitgavemepause,Itellyou.InthisoneFrances—asdoesMarianneinNormalPeople—seemsnaïve,lost,everlosingherself,disappearingintoherself,involvedinself-damagingsexualbehavior,atthesametimemakingshallowprecociouscollegegirlfeminist/anti-capitalistcritiquesoftheverysocialswampssheswimsin.Wereallydo,Ipromiseyou,cometo(prettymuch)likethesewomen,aswecanseehowvulnerableandlosttheyare.Youngwomen,comingofagewithoutamap,withoutaguide.Youcanreadthousandsofotherreviewsforbetterplotsummaries,butthestoryhereisthatcollegestudentFrances,recentlydumpedbyhergirlfriendBobbibutstillherbestfriend,isnotworkingandwritingalittleandinvolvedinwittyconversationswithpeoplesheknowsaboutfeminismandveryinvolvedinvarioussocialmedia,performingatlocalspokenwordeventswithBobbi.Francesmeetsa(married)actorandhasanaffairwithhim,herfirstsexwithaman.She’s21,he's32.SomewherealongthewayFrancesandBobbiareinvitedtoFrancebyNickandMelissa(hiswife)forasummervacation.Nickisaprettysuccessfulactor,Melissaisaprettysuccessfulphotographer,BobbiandFrancesarecollegepoetsandtheydon’tseemtodomuchalldaybuttexteachother.Sothisis,amongotherthings,aportraitofacademic/classprivilege,ofyoungpeoplenotknowingwhattheyaredoing,damagingothers,damagingeachother,takingthemselvesaltogethertooseriously.Notconvincedtoreadityet?Hmm,let’ssee.ThepeopleremindmeabitofWhitStillman’ssend-upofrichManhattanites,Metropolitan,andalittlebitofTheSunAlsoRises,whereallthepeople“behavebadly”towardeachother.Iamtroubledbyallthesefolks,andyetengagedwiththemascharacters.AndIstillloveFrances,inpartthankstoRooney’swonderfulwritingaboutthisyoungwomanlearninghowtodevelopactualfriendships,learninghowtohavesexasapartofarelationship,thingssheknowsalmostnothingabout,aswittyandsleekandprettyassheis.It’sreallyquiteabitlikeNormalPeople,acoming-of-agestoryfeaturingtwoprecociousgirlslivingrent-freeinspacetheirparentsprovideforthem,andtalkingsmackaboutrichpeoplewhiledestroyingamarriageintheprocess.Lostgenerationforthetwenty-firstcentury.AlongthewayFrancesdevelopsendometriosisandobserves:“Irealisedmylifewouldbefullofmundanephysicalsuffering,andthattherewasnothingspecialaboutit.Sufferingwouldn’tmakemespecial,andpretendingnottosufferwouldn’tmakemespecial.Talkingaboutit,orevenwritingaboutit,wouldnottransformthesufferingintosomethinguseful.Nothingwould.”WillFranceslearnfromhermistakesandfindtrueloveandfriendshipandbecomeactuallyniceandusefullyself-reflective?Well,letmetellyou,Ijustlovedthefinalscene,withFrancesoutside,freezing,talkingtoNickonthephone,leadinguptothelastreallysurprisingandconfusinglinethatimplicatedme,atleast,inthestory,andrevealed(tome)mybeingemotionallyinvestedinthestory,afterall.Ihadheard(whichmademenotwanttoreadit,acoupleyearsago)thatRooneyhaddescribedherfirstnovel,thefirstdraftwrittenofwhichwaswrittenwhenshewas15,as“absolutetrash,"andIthoughtshemeantthisbook,butIfoundthatshewasreferringtoanother,earlier,unpublishedbook.Andthisbookisnottrash'itisreally,reallygood!!TwobooksbySallyRooneyinoneyear,andIamcompletelyafan,andIknow,thisreviewmaynotyethavereallyconvincedyou,becauseyoufearRooneymustbeasshallowashercharacters!!Youjustthinkallthesepeopleareannoyingandyouwanttoshakethem,andIgetthat.ButIloveherwry,understated,compassionatestylesomuch. ...more flag 87likes · Like  · seereview Viewall13comments Jun20,2020 Johann(jobis89) ratedit itwasamazing  ·  reviewofanotheredition “Sufferingwouldn’tmakemespecial,andpretendingnottosufferwouldn’tmakemespecial.”LastnightIhadavideocallwithsomefriendsaswe’vebeenreadingthisforourbookclub.TherewasanaudiblegaspwhenIsaidthatbasedontwobooksalone,SallyRooneyisnowoneofmymostfavouriteauthors.SheisjustTHATimpressivetome.Hergrasponhumannatureisphenomenal,thewayshetakeswhatcanbeseenasrelatively“normal”relationshipsandpicksthemapartandlaysthembarecon “Sufferingwouldn’tmakemespecial,andpretendingnottosufferwouldn’tmakemespecial.”LastnightIhadavideocallwithsomefriendsaswe’vebeenreadingthisforourbookclub.TherewasanaudiblegaspwhenIsaidthatbasedontwobooksalone,SallyRooneyisnowoneofmymostfavouriteauthors.SheisjustTHATimpressivetome.Hergrasponhumannatureisphenomenal,thewayshetakeswhatcanbeseenasrelatively“normal”relationshipsandpicksthemapartandlaysthembarecontinuestoastoundme.Hercharactersaresorealandrelatable,andherstoriesaretheequivalentofpeeringinthroughwindowsintootherpeople’slives.BasicallyIcouldwriteanessayonwhyIloveSallyRooneysomuch.ConversationsWithFriendsfollowsFrancesandthenumerousrelationshipsshehasinherlife.There’sherbestfriend,andformergirlfriend,Bobbi.Andthenthere’sthemarriedcouplethattheybecomeclosefriendswith,MelissaandNick.Whatfollowsisacomplexloverectangle(?)comprisingall4characters.Rooney’snovelsarecharacter-driven,andhercharactersarereallywheresheexcels.Theyarenotalwayslikeable,oftenmakingpoordecisions,buttheyare100%authentic.Francesisfascinating-sheisintentoncomingoffascoldandemotionless,whensheisanythingbut.Allherfeelingsarerepressed,assheisafraidtoshowhervulnerabilityandwouldrathertraveldownthepathtowardsself-destruction.Asexpectedtherearealotofconversationsbetweenfriends,astheysharetheirobservationsandtheoriesonmanytopics.Rooney’sdialogueflowsfreely,evenifitdoesmakemewonderwhyIdon’thavesuchintellectualconversationswithmyownfriends.Endometriosisisalsodiscussedinthisone,whichIappreciatedbecauseithasn’tfeaturedinanybooksI’vereadandit’sachronicillnessthatrequiresmoreawareness.Sometimesaswomenwethinkwejustgottabattlethroughtheseagonisingperiods,butifitgetsTHISbad,pleaseaskyourdoctoraboutit.Overall,LOVEDIT,butNormalPeopleremainsmyfavourite.NowthewaitbeginsforanotherRooneynovel.4.5stars. ...more flag 84likes · Like  · seereview View1comment Aug01,2018 Bianca ratedit itwasok  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: audiobook, debut-novel, female-author, irish-author, irish, contemporary, 2018 Meah,blah,I'mgivingup,I'vealreadyspenttoomuchtimeinthecompanyofthesecharacters.Idon'tmindunlikablecharacters,Idon'thaveanissuewithsexualfluidityorcheating(asinIdon'tneedatriggerwarning,itdoesn'tpreventmefromreadinganovel).Insayingallthat,thecharacterswereinsufferable,vacuous,bland,andthewritingdidn'tagreewithmeatall.Inmyyearofreadingmostlychick-lit,IcreatedaGRshelfIm-So-Over-First-Person-Narratives.Thisnovelbelong Meah,blah,I'mgivingup,I'vealreadyspenttoomuchtimeinthecompanyofthesecharacters.Idon'tmindunlikablecharacters,Idon'thaveanissuewithsexualfluidityorcheating(asinIdon'tneedatriggerwarning,itdoesn'tpreventmefromreadinganovel).Insayingallthat,thecharacterswereinsufferable,vacuous,bland,andthewritingdidn'tagreewithmeatall.Inmyyearofreadingmostlychick-lit,IcreatedaGRshelfIm-So-Over-First-Person-Narratives.Thisnovelbelongedthere,toobadIdeletedthatsaidshelf. ...more flag 79likes · Like  · seereview Viewall23comments May14,2020 EmilyB addedit  ·  reviewofanotheredition Isimultaneouslyloveditandhatedit.That’sallIhavetosay flag 78likes · Like  · seereview Viewall5comments Mar05,2019 Lucy ratedit reallylikedit  ·  reviewofanotheredition 4.5****Thingsandpeoplemovedaroundme,takingpositionsinobscurehierarchies,participatinginsystemsIdidn’tknowaboutandneverwould.Acomplexnetworkofobjectsandconcepts.Youlivethroughcertainthingsbeforeyouunderstandthem.Youcan’talwaystaketheanalyticalposition.Iadoredmyrereadofthisbookandwithinthelast100pagesIfeltalmostgriefwhilewitnessingFrances’consciousness.Thisbookoffereduptruthandinsightintothefemaleconsciousnessanddissected 4.5****Thingsandpeoplemovedaroundme,takingpositionsinobscurehierarchies,participatinginsystemsIdidn’tknowaboutandneverwould.Acomplexnetworkofobjectsandconcepts.Youlivethroughcertainthingsbeforeyouunderstandthem.Youcan’talwaystaketheanalyticalposition.Iadoredmyrereadofthisbookandwithinthelast100pagesIfeltalmostgriefwhilewitnessingFrances’consciousness.Thisbookoffereduptruthandinsightintothefemaleconsciousnessanddissectedthoughtsothoroughlyofwhatitfeelsliketobeyoungandfemale,makingquestionablechoicesanddecisions,aswellasreactionstothingsthatarehappeningoutsideofyourcontrol.Thisbookwasintellectualwhilealsoexploringfriendship,love,jealousyandpowerplay.IenjoyedhowSallyRooneywritestheserealandflawedcharacters,withtheirmultitudeoffeelings.SallyRooneyshowshowallthingscancometoacollision,therealnessoffeelingsadallthetimeandhowuncertainandoutofcontroleverythingcanfeel,especiallyinthenewmodernsetting.Sheshowshowyoungfemalesoftenhatethemselvesandfeelinsignificantwiththepressureandunsurenessofthisworld.SallyRooneyincludesrelevantimportantandmoderntopicssuchasEndometriosisand(atthetimethiswaswritten)theVERYrestrictiveabortionrightsthatIrelandhadatthetimeandwhatthiscouldmeanforafemale.Italsofocusedondysfunctionalparental,parent-childandpartnerrelationships,monogamyandpolygamyandhowthiseffectedtheMC,andmoreimportantlyhowtheMCrespondedtoallofthisuncertaintyandsuffering.IespeciallylovehowSallyRooneydescribesandoftenportrayscool-headed,smartandobservantwomenwithflaws,intellectandwit.WasIkindtoothers?Itwashardtonaildownananswer.IworriedthatifIdidturnouttohaveapersonality,itwouldbeoneoftheunkindones. ...more flag 72likes · Like  · seereview View2comments Jan17,2020 Blaine ratedit reallylikedit Shelves: 2020, e-book Iranmyfingeralonghiscollarboneandsaid:Ican’trememberifIthoughtaboutthisatthebeginning.Howitwasdoomedtoendunhappily.Henodded,lookingatme.Idid,hesaid,Ijustthoughtitwouldbeworthit.ConversationswithFriendsisareallygoodbook,andagreatdebutnovel.Frances,Bobbi,Melissa,andNickarefullyrealizedcharacters,andeverypageshineswithMs.Rooney’simmensewritingtalent.IdowishIhadreaditbeforeIreadNormalPeople.Bothbooksexploresimil Iranmyfingeralonghiscollarboneandsaid:Ican’trememberifIthoughtaboutthisatthebeginning.Howitwasdoomedtoendunhappily.Henodded,lookingatme.Idid,hesaid,Ijustthoughtitwouldbeworthit.ConversationswithFriendsisareallygoodbook,andagreatdebutnovel.Frances,Bobbi,Melissa,andNickarefullyrealizedcharacters,andeverypageshineswithMs.Rooney’simmensewritingtalent.IdowishIhadreaditbeforeIreadNormalPeople.Bothbooksexploresimilargrounds:youngpeoplenavigatingloveandrelationships,hamstrungbypride,envy,jealousy,secrets,andperhapsmostofall,failuresofcommunication.Butwithfourmaincharactersin(atleast)threerelationships,thisbookhasamorediffusefocus,andisultimatelylessintensethanNormalPeople.Highlyrecommended,anddefinitelyworthreading,butI’drecommendreadingthisbookbeforeyoureadNormalPeople. ...more flag 71likes · Like  · seereview Viewall3comments Jun13,2017 Jessica ratedit itwasamazing  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: favorites, won-on-librarything IreceivedthisbookforfreethroughLibraryThing’sEarlyReviewers.Thisbookgavemesomanyfeels.Itwasarollercoasterofemotions.ForsomereasonIreallyconnectedtothisbook.Therewassomethingsocaptivatingaboutit.IfeltlikethisbookwouldmakeagreatmovieorminiseriesonHBO.There'ssomethingreallyspecialanddifferentaboutitthatwouldtranslatewelltothescreen.ThecharactersfeltveryrealandIthinkthat'swhatIlikedmostaboutit.IlovedNick.Hewassod IreceivedthisbookforfreethroughLibraryThing’sEarlyReviewers.Thisbookgavemesomanyfeels.Itwasarollercoasterofemotions.ForsomereasonIreallyconnectedtothisbook.Therewassomethingsocaptivatingaboutit.IfeltlikethisbookwouldmakeagreatmovieorminiseriesonHBO.There'ssomethingreallyspecialanddifferentaboutitthatwouldtranslatewelltothescreen.ThecharactersfeltveryrealandIthinkthat'swhatIlikedmostaboutit.IlovedNick.HewassodifferentfromwhatIhadexpected.Overall,I'mobsessedwiththisbook. ...more flag 67likes · Like  · seereview Viewall4comments Apr15,2020 Vicky"phenkos" ratedit itwasamazing AlthoughIcouldn'trelatetoanyofthecharactersinSallyRooney'sConversationswithFriends,Ihadavisceralreactiontothebook.TherewerepageswheremyemotionswereoverwhelmingandIcouldfeelmyeyeswateringeventhoughtherewasnothingtherethatresembledmyownlifeintheslightest.Ifindaffairswithmarriedmenanuninterestingsubject;high-flyingliterarycoupleswithholidayhomesintheSouthofFranceacompletebore;coolyoungwomenwhofindithardtocommunicate AlthoughIcouldn'trelatetoanyofthecharactersinSallyRooney'sConversationswithFriends,Ihadavisceralreactiontothebook.TherewerepageswheremyemotionswereoverwhelmingandIcouldfeelmyeyeswateringeventhoughtherewasnothingtherethatresembledmyownlifeintheslightest.Ifindaffairswithmarriedmenanuninterestingsubject;high-flyingliterarycoupleswithholidayhomesintheSouthofFranceacompletebore;coolyoungwomenwhofindithardtocommunicatetheirfeeingsandwishesamystery.Yet,thecharactersofthisbook,especiallyFrances,thenarrator,Bobbi,herbestfriend,andNick,thedepressiveactor,gotundermyskinandstayedtherelongafterIhadfinishedthebook.PeoplewhohavereadNormalPeoplewillrecognisesomethemeswhichinformRooney'swriting:difficultycommunicatingone'sfeelingsandfrequentbreakdowns(bothliteralandmetaphorical);characterssolackinginself-confidencethattheyconstantlyfeeltheneedtohideunderneathaveneerof'coolness';masochism;relationshipsthatdonotworkbecausethecharacterscannotownuptotheirfeelings.Andyet,attheend,asmallprogressionasiftoconfirmthatgrowthispossible,albeitwithgreatdifficultyandwithouttakingitforgranted.Asalways,Rooney'sstrongpointishowminutelyshedissectstheinnerworldofhercharacters.Theirmotives,feelingsandaboveallthoseinsecturitiesthatthreatentotearaparttheirwholeworld.Damagedpeoplewhohavespenttimeinpsychiatricwards;peoplewhoself-harm;andyet,attheend,aglimmerofhope.Healingispossible,saysthebook,butdonottakeitforgranted;don'texpecta'happilyeverafter'.Butdoexpectamature(farmorematurethantheauhtor's27years)explorationofhowpeopleactuallymovefromAtoB,whereAisaworldofself-harmandself-doubtandBisadecisionnottoleteverythinggotopiecesbutinsteadholdontofriendship,loveandcompanionship. ...more flag 66likes · Like  · seereview Viewall11comments Jun02,2017 Latanya(CraftyScribbles) ratedit itwasok  ·  reviewofanotheredition Shelves: international, realistic-fiction, contemporary "Asharplyintelligentnovelabouttwocollegestudentsandthestrange,unexpectedconnectiontheyforgewithamarriedcouple."-GoodreadsLet'sbehonest...Selfishandself-absorbedyoungwomandiscussesherdailyescapadeswithequallyselfishandself-absorbedpeopleofvariousoccupationandageandlearnsabsolutelynothing.SallyRooney'sdialogue'srealistic,albeitabitstrangeconsideringFrances,themaincharacter,remainsanandroidthroughouttheentirepiece.She'semptyandcold "Asharplyintelligentnovelabouttwocollegestudentsandthestrange,unexpectedconnectiontheyforgewithamarriedcouple."-GoodreadsLet'sbehonest...Selfishandself-absorbedyoungwomandiscussesherdailyescapadeswithequallyselfishandself-absorbedpeopleofvariousoccupationandageandlearnsabsolutelynothing.SallyRooney'sdialogue'srealistic,albeitabitstrangeconsideringFrances,themaincharacter,remainsanandroidthroughouttheentirepiece.She'semptyandcold.Bythetimeshedemonstratesasliverofemotionalintelligence,we'rethedumbonesforstickingaroundlongerthandeserved.Iloveunlikablecharacters.Ithriveontheirstories.Usually,theypossessajenaissequoibeggingustojointhemontheirjourney.However,allIthoughtaboutwasFrances'endtoherjourney.Ididnotcare,whichissad.ThereisahealthissueinvolvedandIfoundmyselfshrugging,neversureifI'mmanipulatedintoforcedsympathy.Goodwriting,which,attimes,comesoffasprintedcinemaverite.Icanseeaone-shotcamerafollowingFrancesandherbatchofsmugandwealthyvagabonds,unimportanttothecommonperson,waxingpoeticaboutsex,adultery,wine,andtraveloverscenicpasturesinblackandwhitecinematicfashion.IgivethisstoryaplusonpaintingastrongpictureasIreadscenes.Anotherplus?It'ssetinIreland.Ilikereadinginternationalstorieswiththeirculturalnuances,slang,andothersightsonwhatmakesusnormal(orabnormal)aswelivelife.LGBTrepresentationservesasitsfinalplus.Frances'sbisexual.Herfriendandsometimehook-up,Bobbi'salesbian,alongwithMelissa,anothercharacterentrenchedinastrangemenageatrois-likesituationwithFrances.Ihadnoidea.But,I'mgratefulfortherepresentation,evenifthewomeninvolvedcausedmyeyestosweat,duetoexcessiveeye-rolling.Yet,IdesiredmorethanliteralconversationswithIrishandLGBTfriends.Iyearnedforaplotwithapath(lowpathindeed)withcharactersearningmyfollowing.ThegoodwritingandLGBTrepresentationsavedmyreviewfromhailingaone-starverdict.Icannotrecommendthisstory.It'sboring.Verdict:2outof5*ThankstoPenguinFirstReadsfortheARCinexchangeforanhonestreview*(Courtesyofhttp://www.craftyscribbles.com) ...more flag 65likes · Like  · seereview View2comments «previous123456789…next» newtopicDiscussThisBook topics  posts  views  lastactivity    PlayBookTag: ConversationswithFriendsbySallyRooney-2.5stars 3 29 Jul11,202102:07PM   PlayBookTag: ConversationswithFriends,bySallyRooney-5Stars 3 24 Mar03,202101:27PM   Ladies&Literature: * OfficialMay2020BookDiscussion:ConversationswithFriends 4 24 Jul06,202008:22AM   Moretopics... Share RecommendIt  |  Stats  |  RecentStatusUpdates Readersalsoenjoyed Seesimilarbooks… Genres Fiction 2,505users Contemporary 1,062users Romance 435users LiteraryFiction 381users Cultural> Ireland 276users LGBT 256users Audiobook 243users Novels 225users EuropeanLiterature> IrishLiterature 210users Adult 201users Seetopshelves… AboutSallyRooney SallyRooney 25,111 followers SallyRooneywasbornin1991andlivesinDublin,whereshegraduatedfromTrinityCollege.HerworkhasappearedinGranta,TheDublinReview,TheWhiteReview,TheStingingFly,andtheWinterPagesanthology. BooksbySallyRooney More… ArticlesfeaturingthisbookThePandemicArrivesonBookShelveswithTheseNewReleases Notnormal,newnormal,super-spreading,andsociallydistant.Yup,it'sbeenacoupleyearsofCOVIDandpandemic-centricstoriesare...Readmore...34likes·12comments TriviaAboutConversationswit... 2triviaquestions Morequizzes&trivia... QuotesfromConversationswit... “Graduallythewaitingbegantofeellesslikewaitingandmorelikethiswassimplywhatlifewas:thedistractingtasksundertakenwhilethethingyouarewaitingforcontinuesnottohappen.” — 339likes “IthinkIonlyappearsmartbystayingquietasoftenaspossible.” — 191likes Morequotes… Welcomeback.JustamomentwhilewesignyouintoyourGoodreadsaccount.