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Beautiful World, Where Are You

by Sally Rooney (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

Reading for the 2nd time

read in February 2024

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tate said: " I am in love with the way that this book is written. I know some people do not like the format of switching between emails and narration, but I felt like it served Rooney's purpose in such a unique way. The book is so interactive, even more so than h I am in love with the way that this book is written. I know some people do not like the format of switching between emails and narration, but I felt like it served Rooney's purpose in such a unique way. The book is so interactive, even more so than her other novels if you can believe that. She's so excellent at developing characters so that you feel like they really are people you know, but the emailing format gets you so up close and personal with the two girls. (Which is something I had specifically asked Rooney for after reading "Conversations with Friends" and feeling like I needed more insight into Bobbi and Francis' relationship. Thanks for answering my prayers, queen.)

I think this also probably contributed to some of the hate that this book gets. The two main characters are actually insufferable at times. The long, rambling discussions between the two of them on topics like class, religion, and climate change could be read as Rooney trying to get her own points across. However, I reject that. My girl wouldn't be so unsubtle about it guys, c'monnnn. The way they communicate so perfectly captures the real thought patterns of young people who a) are largely convinced they know it all and b) love to argue.

Both of these points, but point a in particular, strikes on a larger theme of the book in general - the overwhelming sense of hopelessness that accompanies being young in today's day and age. The characters engage in intellectual sparring to ward off the hopelessness and cling to rigid moral arguments.

SEMI-SPOILERS (I did as best I could to keep things vague)
Moving on from just the structure, the book itself is a mystery novel of sorts where you don't even know you're reading a mystery until the last two or so chapters. There is an underlying tension between Alice and Eileen throughout the book, they tear each other down and make uncomplimentary remarks on one another's lives, but I just assumed they had a sibling-like relationship in that way due to knowing each other for so long or that they typically gave each other tough criticism. It's not until the end that you realize, it wasn't always like this. There's been some rift proceeding the book and in the final chapters when the girls come together, things start to make sense and the reader can interpret what you thought was one thing as some other thing entirely. Don't even know if that sentence made sense.

NOT SPOILERS NOW!
Obviously, the relationship between my girlies was everything to me, as is apparent in my completely ignoring their romantic partners thus far. As for Simon and Eileen, I am obsessed with him and I am such a sucker for like a childhood-friend-will-they-won't-they dynamic as many of you know. I love how Rooney explores the parallels between religious devotion and romantic love via this relationship.

As for Felix and Alice, there is so much I could say. I think they are both severely mentally ill in ways that at first seem diametrically opposed but, as the plot moves along and really towards the end, they start to give each other grace and do so for themselves as well as a result. I think that's beautiful, but Felix is still evil and Alice has a superiority complex. And I can relate to both of them so maybe that's why I felt uncomfortable. ...more "

progress:

(page 256 of 337)
"guyssss book club when" — Sep 01, 2025 02:51AM

Feb 12, 2024 03:05PM · see review