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Being Emily
'Being Emily' is a novel about one girl trying to find her place in the world, and the turmoil that only one's own family can create.
8 pages, Audio CD
First published January 1, 2008
13 people are currently reading
300 people want to read
About the author
Anne Donovan
19 books34 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Anne Donovan’s prize-winning short stories have been published in various anthologies and broadcast on BBC radio. Her collection Hieroglyphics and Other Stories came out in 2001. 2003 saw the release of her debut novel Buddha Da, which was shortlisted for the Orange Prize; both books published by Canongate Books. A resident of Glasgow, Scotland, Donovan often employs the local, working-class dialect in her writing; as she says, it provides "a more direct line to the heart, you get closer."
Anne Donovan’s prize-winning short stories have been published in various anthologies and broadcast on BBC radio. Her collection Hieroglyphics and Other Stories came out in 2001. 2003 saw the release of her debut novel Buddha Da, which was shortlisted for the Orange Prize; both books published by Canongate Books. A resident of Glasgow, Scotland, Donovan often employs the local, working-class dialect in her writing; as she says, it provides "a more direct line to the heart, you get closer."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
December 15, 2014
Was a little disappointed by the book. The title I feel is misleading, nothing to do with "Being Emily", just life for a teenage girl with a mild love of an author.
The writing style, in Glaswegian dialect, is both endearing and jarring. Certain terms required googling; greeting to mean crying for example. It's a book I felt I needed to invest time into reading in long sittings, taking time to get back into the flow of it.
The actual story is nice, not much in the way of actual plot, it's just a story about people and life and carrying on. Didn't really like the protagonist.
Despite the negatives, it's a thoughtful read which I did mostly enjoy. The tragedy of Fiona's life feels very real and raw, and really pushes the novel through to its conclusion.
Three stars.
The writing style, in Glaswegian dialect, is both endearing and jarring. Certain terms required googling; greeting to mean crying for example. It's a book I felt I needed to invest time into reading in long sittings, taking time to get back into the flow of it.
The actual story is nice, not much in the way of actual plot, it's just a story about people and life and carrying on. Didn't really like the protagonist.
Despite the negatives, it's a thoughtful read which I did mostly enjoy. The tragedy of Fiona's life feels very real and raw, and really pushes the novel through to its conclusion.
Three stars.
March 23, 2017
I hadn't heard of Being Emily before I borrowed it from the library, but am a fan of Anne Donovan's debut novel, Buddha Da. This novel is, in part, about Emily Bronte. It is also a coming-of-age novel, something which I actively seek out in my reading. I had rather high hopes for Being Emily, and was gripped from the outset. The characters which Donovan has crafted are so very realistic, as are the conversations which they have with one another, and the actions which they make. The storyline surprises; I never quite knew where it was heading. I enjoyed Being Emily more than Buddha Da, as there was more realism to it.
October 20, 2024
3.5 stars
Whilst I'm a sucker for a book written in an accent (especially when it's Scottish), I feel like this book had too much unused potential for it to reach 4 stars.
I'm a little confused about the title. While Fiona, the narrator, is obviously a fan of Emily Bronte, I didn't ever get the feeling that she was trying to be her as the title suggests. Other than reading one of her books at the beginning, a few references to Wuthering Heights throughout the book and a school trip to her birthplace, there wasn't must else to justify this naming of the book.
I feel that the book's major flaw was the protagonist's characterisation. In that there wasn't any. Maybe that's slightly too harsh, but she seriously lacked personality. Particularly as she was narrating the story as well, this made it overall feel very flat. I just didn't really care what was happening to her. And whilst she goes through various traumatic experiences, these seemed to be present in an effort to add depth, without adding any actual depth to her character within her inner monologue. Also her art projects all sounded like absolute shite.
Overall this was slightly disappointing but entertaining enough I guess.
Whilst I'm a sucker for a book written in an accent (especially when it's Scottish), I feel like this book had too much unused potential for it to reach 4 stars.
I'm a little confused about the title. While Fiona, the narrator, is obviously a fan of Emily Bronte, I didn't ever get the feeling that she was trying to be her as the title suggests. Other than reading one of her books at the beginning, a few references to Wuthering Heights throughout the book and a school trip to her birthplace, there wasn't must else to justify this naming of the book.
I feel that the book's major flaw was the protagonist's characterisation. In that there wasn't any. Maybe that's slightly too harsh, but she seriously lacked personality. Particularly as she was narrating the story as well, this made it overall feel very flat. I just didn't really care what was happening to her. And whilst she goes through various traumatic experiences, these seemed to be present in an effort to add depth, without adding any actual depth to her character within her inner monologue. Also her art projects all sounded like absolute shite.
Overall this was slightly disappointing but entertaining enough I guess.
September 28, 2010
I enjoyed this book a great deal.
Having read Buddha Da it was easy to slide back into the Glaswegian speak, the style Donovan writes in is actually extremely easy to read. It has a very fresh feel to it and is quite uplifting and touching in the most unlikely places.
The central character Fiona, is followed from school days to university (taking in a family bereavement and first loves on the way) therefore, coming of age is the main theme of this book.
There were some sections I laughed out loud in, (which I kind of needed at the time too) and others where I felt her emotion and the pain life can sometimes have. I felt there were some likenesses to Roddy Doyle and also to the poetry of Roger McGough in a weird kind of way - pointing out the simplest observations and therefore their ironies one encounters in life everyday.
Another goodie.
Having read Buddha Da it was easy to slide back into the Glaswegian speak, the style Donovan writes in is actually extremely easy to read. It has a very fresh feel to it and is quite uplifting and touching in the most unlikely places.
The central character Fiona, is followed from school days to university (taking in a family bereavement and first loves on the way) therefore, coming of age is the main theme of this book.
There were some sections I laughed out loud in, (which I kind of needed at the time too) and others where I felt her emotion and the pain life can sometimes have. I felt there were some likenesses to Roddy Doyle and also to the poetry of Roger McGough in a weird kind of way - pointing out the simplest observations and therefore their ironies one encounters in life everyday.
Another goodie.
June 21, 2012
Despite what a lot of people have said about the Glaswegian dialect being distracting, it's one of my favourite things about Anne Donovan's writing. It really brings the dialogue to life for me and adds depth to the characters.
I also loved her descriptions of Glasgow throughout the book, although I realise that a lot of the references would be lost if you don't know the city very well!
I've given this four stars, but it's probably more of a 3.5 for two reasons. Firstly, I found the story to be quite unbelievable/ over-dramatic in places and secondly, I thought that some of the descriptions in the novel were just a little clichéd. I'm referring mostly to the characters of Jas and Amrik here, as one seemed to be 'white' and one seemed to be 'black', with no shades of grey in between.
All in all though, a very gripping and enjoyable read.
I also loved her descriptions of Glasgow throughout the book, although I realise that a lot of the references would be lost if you don't know the city very well!
I've given this four stars, but it's probably more of a 3.5 for two reasons. Firstly, I found the story to be quite unbelievable/ over-dramatic in places and secondly, I thought that some of the descriptions in the novel were just a little clichéd. I'm referring mostly to the characters of Jas and Amrik here, as one seemed to be 'white' and one seemed to be 'black', with no shades of grey in between.
All in all though, a very gripping and enjoyable read.
June 6, 2010
I was wary of this book as I usually avoid anything written with an accent or dialect,as this is. At first I did find it slow reading because of the Glaswegian dialect, but I soon got into it and it became part of the character of Fiona. As I read on I liked it more and more. I loved how it potrays the way the family manage their relationships through all the difficulties that confront them. I didn't think the Emily Bronte connection was as important as the Title suggests, but perhaps I'm missing something?
October 16, 2011
Loved it! This is the second novel by Anne Donovan I've read. She again writes in her unique Scottish dialect of the people of Glasgow. As in Buddha Da, the story centers on a family, the O'Connells, but particularly on Fiona -- in her childhood, then her high school years where she's in love with Emily Bronte as well as Jas, a fellow student crazy about Shelly and Fiona. His family is Sikh; hers, Catholic. It's a "coming-of-real-life novel" one reviewer wrote. The book is filled with plenty of humor, empathy, and excellent writing.
July 11, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was a bit wary of how well the Glaswegian accent would work as many an author has tried to write a dialect or accent and failed, but it comes across as completely natural. Fiona is an engaging and likeable character and the gentle message that in the end love wins out was sweet without being sickly. It was a very touching read, surprisingly so in parts, and heart wrenching at times. Thoroughly enjoyed it and happy to recommend.
April 24, 2011
I won't write a long review because I haven't enough time for that -.- I just wanted to say that this book was awesome and captivating!
The original version is probably any better than the German translation I've been reading but here I have to say that the translation was quite good. I've seen better but it's acceptable^^
The original version is probably any better than the German translation I've been reading but here I have to say that the translation was quite good. I've seen better but it's acceptable^^
April 6, 2014
Good book, written for the scottish speaker as it were, brilliant for older girls and ladies alike, interesting reading dealing with different growing up issues and many interesting twists along the way.
May 19, 2008
I'd give this ten stars if it was possible. Perfect. I rationed my reading so it would last longer. Haven't done that since I read 'Broken For You'
November 24, 2009
Excerpt -- Favorite Knock Knock Joke:
Knock knock.
Who's there?
Consumption.
Consumption who?
Consumption no be done about they assumptions?
Knock knock.
Who's there?
Consumption.
Consumption who?
Consumption no be done about they assumptions?
June 25, 2021
I doubt the novel as a form will ever fade away so long as it deals with those perennial biggies love, sex and death. That and the fact that people find stories irresistible. There may only be seven different plots but boy meets girl - with complications ensuing - is usually a winner. Being Emily gives us that proposition in reverse. It is, though, a grounded book, redolent of and true to its milieu. The characters’ speech is rendered in italics, which effectively does away with all that quotation marks and commas gubbins, and the text - not just the dialogue - is written in Glaswegian dialect, with phrases like “from the resty us,” (rest of) “in fronty” (in front of) “thegether,” (together) “mines” (mine,) photies (photos,) used firmly and unapologetically.
Fiona O’Connell has been brought up in Glasgow in a loving Catholic family. She has an older brother, Patrick, and twin younger sisters, Mona and Rona. (The family joke is that if they had been triplets the third would have been named Shona. Even Fiona’s name follows the rhyme.) She has long held a fascination for Emily Brontë, on whom she wishes to write her Sixth Year Studies assessment essay, but also has a talent for art.
Her life changes when her school can not provide all three subjects she wishes to take in Sixth Year and consequently has to attend the non-denominational (her father calls it ‘Proddy’) school. There she meets Jaswinder (Jas) Singh, a more talented artist but one who is destined to join his family’s pharmacy business and so will take Chemistry at University. This relationship gives Donovan the opportunity to kick against the automatic assumptions people make about others. Jaswinder is, for example, a vegan through choice, not for religious reasons. Both he and his brother Amrik - through different motives - upset their now dead father, one by taking up the sitar, the other by cutting his hair.
Fiona’s life is thrown into turmoil when her mother, the bedrock of the family, dies in childbirth along with the child. Here. Now (as Fiona rails angrily,) in the twenty-first century. Her father goes to pieces with Fiona trying to keep things together in the family without the authority to do so. She channels her feelings into her art and, despite the competing allure of Brontë, winning the local section of a nationwide art competition persuades her to go to (Glasgow) Art School. But it is Fiona’s burgeoning relationship with Jas which is the story’s pivot, a deep friendship which is on course to develop into something deeper but has never been consummated.
Then, within two days, it’s over. Fiona asks us rhetorically, But how do you break up with your best friend? then provides her own solution. Answer: You don’t. You betray him.
Foreshadowing is an essential literary technique, but this is not foreshadowing so much as outright telling us what’s about to (or, from Fiona’s point of view, as she’s recollecting all this from a later date, what did) happen. Yet those two lines have undeniable power. Even though Fiona has already told us of her regret at her actions, they come with the force of a punch. And they convey the gravity of her choice – though she is in retrospect hard put to it both to understand and to justify (most of all to herself) how she behaved, beyond the confusion and bodily discomposure she felt at the time. Treachery is of course another literary staple, guilt a powerful emotion.
There is still the major part of the book to go at this point and although Fiona kind of flits through her degree course - though her degree piece is a strain - we are given acute portrayals of her father’s confusion at modern life, Jas’s mother’s kindness, Rona’s fairly abrupt transition into adult responsibilities, Amrik’s preciousness about musical performance, not to mention the almost unnoticed drifting away of her schoolgirl friendships. The characterisations here are sound. The reader feels she/he knows these people.
It would be unkind to suggest that through all this Donovan forgot about the Emily connection but it is only returned to very near the end where it does seem a bit of an afterthought. But in any case the novel doesn’t actually need it; Fiona’s story is sufficient unto itself and well capable of holding the attention on its own.
Like Donovan’s previous novel Buddha Da and her later, absolutely magnificent, Gone Are the Leaves, Being Emily is a very good novel indeed and needs no other prop. And it is not so much about being Emily as being Fiona.
Fiona O’Connell has been brought up in Glasgow in a loving Catholic family. She has an older brother, Patrick, and twin younger sisters, Mona and Rona. (The family joke is that if they had been triplets the third would have been named Shona. Even Fiona’s name follows the rhyme.) She has long held a fascination for Emily Brontë, on whom she wishes to write her Sixth Year Studies assessment essay, but also has a talent for art.
Her life changes when her school can not provide all three subjects she wishes to take in Sixth Year and consequently has to attend the non-denominational (her father calls it ‘Proddy’) school. There she meets Jaswinder (Jas) Singh, a more talented artist but one who is destined to join his family’s pharmacy business and so will take Chemistry at University. This relationship gives Donovan the opportunity to kick against the automatic assumptions people make about others. Jaswinder is, for example, a vegan through choice, not for religious reasons. Both he and his brother Amrik - through different motives - upset their now dead father, one by taking up the sitar, the other by cutting his hair.
Fiona’s life is thrown into turmoil when her mother, the bedrock of the family, dies in childbirth along with the child. Here. Now (as Fiona rails angrily,) in the twenty-first century. Her father goes to pieces with Fiona trying to keep things together in the family without the authority to do so. She channels her feelings into her art and, despite the competing allure of Brontë, winning the local section of a nationwide art competition persuades her to go to (Glasgow) Art School. But it is Fiona’s burgeoning relationship with Jas which is the story’s pivot, a deep friendship which is on course to develop into something deeper but has never been consummated.
Then, within two days, it’s over. Fiona asks us rhetorically, But how do you break up with your best friend? then provides her own solution. Answer: You don’t. You betray him.
Foreshadowing is an essential literary technique, but this is not foreshadowing so much as outright telling us what’s about to (or, from Fiona’s point of view, as she’s recollecting all this from a later date, what did) happen. Yet those two lines have undeniable power. Even though Fiona has already told us of her regret at her actions, they come with the force of a punch. And they convey the gravity of her choice – though she is in retrospect hard put to it both to understand and to justify (most of all to herself) how she behaved, beyond the confusion and bodily discomposure she felt at the time. Treachery is of course another literary staple, guilt a powerful emotion.
There is still the major part of the book to go at this point and although Fiona kind of flits through her degree course - though her degree piece is a strain - we are given acute portrayals of her father’s confusion at modern life, Jas’s mother’s kindness, Rona’s fairly abrupt transition into adult responsibilities, Amrik’s preciousness about musical performance, not to mention the almost unnoticed drifting away of her schoolgirl friendships. The characterisations here are sound. The reader feels she/he knows these people.
It would be unkind to suggest that through all this Donovan forgot about the Emily connection but it is only returned to very near the end where it does seem a bit of an afterthought. But in any case the novel doesn’t actually need it; Fiona’s story is sufficient unto itself and well capable of holding the attention on its own.
Like Donovan’s previous novel Buddha Da and her later, absolutely magnificent, Gone Are the Leaves, Being Emily is a very good novel indeed and needs no other prop. And it is not so much about being Emily as being Fiona.
April 28, 2020
Fantastic book. So moving. Beautifully written by Anne Donovan. It's heartbreaking you just can't put it down.
Full of love. Full of sad times. When it's called"Being Emily" from my point of view I thought the main character was going to be called Emily however, I was introduced to Fiona.
Fiona loves Emily Brontë and as much as she looks at how things were for her she thinks of her own life.
The book goes from 4 years forward a few times whilst updating the reader what is happening. You won't be disappointed you will just experience so much with Fiona and her family. It is not easy for Fiona but when is life ever easy. Her life has happiness in the midst of tragedy.
Full of love. Full of sad times. When it's called"Being Emily" from my point of view I thought the main character was going to be called Emily however, I was introduced to Fiona.
Fiona loves Emily Brontë and as much as she looks at how things were for her she thinks of her own life.
The book goes from 4 years forward a few times whilst updating the reader what is happening. You won't be disappointed you will just experience so much with Fiona and her family. It is not easy for Fiona but when is life ever easy. Her life has happiness in the midst of tragedy.
November 17, 2025
Von der ersten Seite habe ich mich bei der Lektüre wohl gefühlt. Fiona und ihre Familie wirkten so herrlich normal, dass sie bei mir um die Ecke hätten wohnen können. Später ist es mit dem normalen Leben vorbei. Eine Tragödie nach der anderen macht Fiona das Leben schwer.
Trotzdem gibt sie nicht auf. Sie kümmert sich um ihre Familie, so gut sie kann und schafft es, dazu noch sehr erfolgreich in ihrem Studium zu sein. Dabei verdrängt sie auch viel, aber sie zerbricht nicht daran sondern wartet einfach auf den richtigen Zeitpunkt, um sich damit auseinander zu setzen.
Es hat mir Spaß gemacht, Fiona und ihren Schwestern beim Erwachsenwerden zu beobachten
Trotzdem gibt sie nicht auf. Sie kümmert sich um ihre Familie, so gut sie kann und schafft es, dazu noch sehr erfolgreich in ihrem Studium zu sein. Dabei verdrängt sie auch viel, aber sie zerbricht nicht daran sondern wartet einfach auf den richtigen Zeitpunkt, um sich damit auseinander zu setzen.
Es hat mir Spaß gemacht, Fiona und ihren Schwestern beim Erwachsenwerden zu beobachten
August 29, 2017
Mamma che fatica... La storia è carina, sicuramente Anne Donovan sarà anche la brava scrittrice declamata nella quarta di copertina... peccato che nessuno si sia ricordato di dire che non scrive in inglese, ma in un non so bene che specificato dialetto in cui "from" diventa "fae", "morning" è "morra", "down" diventa "doon", e così via. Solo se venite da Glasgow o se c'è in voi una vena masochista (mi sa che nel mio caso è la seconda) riuscirete a finirlo...
October 1, 2019
This is not usually the type of book I would pick, however I am so glad I received this as a Christmas present! The Glaswegian dialect was a little difficult to read at first but once I got into the story, I actually enjoyed the challenge of reading with an accent in my head! There's a bit of everything in this story; love, loss, humour, social commentary and coming-of-age drama. It's been refreshing to read something different from my go-to historical dramas!
November 9, 2019
Being Emily has been a very different intriguing read. Anne Donovan Has a beautiful writing style, that is very poetically descriptive. I like the inclusion of the Glaswegian dialect into the writing, it gives an added depth to the voice of her character Fiona.
The characters surrounding Fiona or Finn as she liked me known are very Well written but they needed a little bit more depth to them especially jas.
The characters surrounding Fiona or Finn as she liked me known are very Well written but they needed a little bit more depth to them especially jas.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2023
This book has been by my bedside for ages. Yesterday I read it, as it turned our, I read it again. But even after I found out that I already read it, I continued. It is a lovely coming of age story with some realy sad parts in it, but ending on a happy note. The only thing that might be difficult is the slang/ spelling that is used. The story takes place in Glasgow and the writer shows that in her spelling.
November 2, 2019
Did not enjoy this one first time I've read anything from Anne Donovan.
Firstly I found it difficult to understand what is being said as she has written in the Glasgow dialect, which took my focus actually away from the story, once I started to get the hang of it, it felt like a boring read going no where, I dont think I shall read one of Anne Donovan books again.
Firstly I found it difficult to understand what is being said as she has written in the Glasgow dialect, which took my focus actually away from the story, once I started to get the hang of it, it felt like a boring read going no where, I dont think I shall read one of Anne Donovan books again.
March 14, 2021
I enjoyed reading my second novel by Anne Donovan. I had previously read Buddha Da - funnier than Being Emily, but both good reads. I find myself feeling warm and fuzzy thinking about the characters the author creates in her stories, and the topics are touching.
May 14, 2018
Once you get used to the Scottish dialect this is a good read, the transition from teenager to adult of a girl and her family in Glasgow
July 29, 2019
Glasgow well depicted, in place and language, in this melancholically sweet coming of age novel. The Bronte connection slightly lost fluidity in the book.
February 26, 2020
There wasn't enough about Emily Bronte and she wasn't really her for me.
May 4, 2020
I'm afraid this just wasn't for me. I really struggle with books that write in dialects so didn't get very far at all...
June 6, 2023
I didn't expect to enjoy this as it is written in glaswegian, but it really helped to set the characters in place. A lovely story that kept me interested to the end.
January 22, 2024
3.5 rounded up to 4 ⭐️
Nice little easy read. Although I think some people might not enjoy the Glaswegian dialect it’s written in, I found it quite enjoyable.
Nice little easy read. Although I think some people might not enjoy the Glaswegian dialect it’s written in, I found it quite enjoyable.
April 12, 2024
Gentle but moving.
December 26, 2024
I was disappointed in this book. It bored me, especially the endless descriptions of Fiona’s art installations.
October 23, 2025
Even though it's an old book, it is still a great read. Donovan's depiction of young working class Glaswgians remains strong and true to the style she introduced in Buddah Da
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews