Jacob’s Reviews > Conversations with Friends > Status Update

Didn't read as much as I wanted today; exhausted from the rest of this weekend. Will hopefully get more time tomorrow given the snow/virtual day. I'm beginning to think Rooney is effectively a millennial Thomas Hardy. She is so fascinated by the dynamics of love, class, betrayal, redemption, and their intersection that I can't stop thinking of Alicia's Diary. Rooney is exceptional at writing shitty male characters.

Reading in my Airbnb: I really don’t like Nick’s pattern of pretending he’s cool with Frances’ independence only to then use it against her and make her seem manipulative. It almost seems unconscious?

“…if I lash out at you it’s just because you don’t seem very vulnerable to it.” Goddamn was this intimate (pages 192-193). Nick did not fully appreciate this from her but Frances please never change

I stand by my previous statement that this book is insane but the characters are more likable than my last read. Nick is preferable to Frank just because I can laugh at him for saying unintentionally stupid shit. Having this through Frances’ POV is great. Rooney thinking it’s good to emulate fucking Cormac McCarthy is not lol

I am cackling at what a master of clandestine affairs this Nick guy is. Dude cracked under pressure instantly lmao

Still taking suggestions on where to go next but until I figure that out, I’m going to finish this one I started in the summer but put down because it’s insane lol

I’m grateful to be back doing these updates. It’s held me accountable and made me love reading so much more.

This..... might be better than Normal People. TBD.