Sam

The same clever writing and wit as The Martian. A bit overly explanatory about the science in some parts - whilst the Martian pulled this off, inserting it into the dialogue felt clunky in some parts. But the story was good, the characters were likable, and Rosario Dawson was excellent on the audiobook.

My partner asked me what it was about, and when I said real estate fraud he looked at me like I had two heads. But I was utterly gripped. Despite the fact that there are major crimes happening, this is a story where the tension is in the details, and the stakes feel massively personal. I also loved how self aware an examination it was of upper middle class ambition and social dynamics.

This book was not what I'd thought it would be - I don't fault it for that, though it took me a while to get into it as a result. I also don't understand or particularly like Marianne, though I certainly don't fault the book for that. It wasn't the best book I've read, with unrelatable characters whose motivations at times feel almost too well explored, and who were sometimes a bit unrealistically self aware, but it was beautifully written. I don't often deface my books, but there was a sentence on page 221 that I couldn't help but underline.

A worthwhile read, especially with the show now available, and I will certainly look for more from Sally Rooney.