Sally Rooney
Welome to Dublin, Ireland
Having savored Sally Rooney’s previous works, “Normal People” and “Conversations with Friends,” I was eagerly anticipating her latest release, “Beautiful World, Where Are You.” It’s worth noting that there was a bit of a hiatus between my reading of her earlier novels and this recent one, so I had to reacquaint myself with Rooney’s distinctive writing style. Once I settled into her trademark style of omitting quotation marks in dialogue, I was swiftly immersed in the world she crafted.
This novel, in true Rooney fashion, is a seemingly simple yet deeply layered exploration of the myriad concerns that occupy the minds of twenty-somethings. Set against the backdrop of a quaint Irish coastal town and bustling Dublin, it intricately weaves the lives of two friends, Alice and Eileen, who are grappling with life, work, relationships, and their mental well-being, all while striving to preserve their friendship. The narrative unfolds through alternating chapters, offering glimpses into Alice’s and Eileen’s lives, intertwined with the email updates they exchange.
Alice, straddling the line between her mental health struggles and her moderately successful career as a writer, falls for Felix, a local laborer. Rooney delves into their unconventional relationship through awkward conversations and encounters that often culminate in physical intimacy. The dynamics between Alice and Felix are complex, with his occasionally belittling demeanor contrasting with her somewhat placid responses, forming a relationship that appears somewhat one-sided.
On the other hand, Eileen grapples with her own romantic entanglements, drawn to Simon, a long-time friend, yet reluctant to fully commit. Like her friend, Eileen seeks to navigate her unresolved issues and traumas through her physical relationship with the attractive Simon (his good looks are literally mentioned every couple of pages).
But here we are. It’s still better to love something than nothing, better to love someone than no one, and I am here, living in the world, not wishing for a moment that I wasn’t. Isn’t that in its own way a special gift, a blessing, something very important?
Rooney’s narrative is distinctly character-driven, shedding light on the mental states, struggles, and issues faced by the central characters. However, it occasionally falls short of delving deeply enough to reach the roots of these struggles. Questions linger about Alice’s past relationship, leading to her stint in a mental health facility, and Felix’s motives for dating her when he seemingly doesn’t hold her in high regard. The role of Felix in the story remains enigmatic. Eileen’s lack of friends and her strained relationship with her sister are intriguing but remain somewhat unexplored. Simon’s closed-off nature begs for further exploration, as does the true nature of Alice and Eileen’s friendship.
In essence, “Beautiful World, Where Are You” is a thought-provoking and character-rich narrative, yet it leaves some tantalizing questions unanswered, inviting readers to ponder the intricacies of the characters’ lives and relationships. Rooney’s storytelling prowess is undeniable, and this novel is another testament to her ability to craft compelling narratives that resonate with the complexities of human connection and emotion.
It’s so hard to see the point sometimes, when the things in life I think are meaningful turn out to mean nothing, and the people who are supposed to love me don’t.
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