Fiction, 2021.
A few months ago, a friend and I discussed the Sally Roonification of new fiction. These are novels in which young adults struggle to articulate their emotions, smoke cigarettes, endure violence, make poor decisions, and fall in love, all under the delicate blanket of sparse prose. Think Exciting Times, Luster, and to a degree, Acts of Desperation.
A bleak and heavy story, the novel follows a young woman as she falls obsessively in love with a man, Ciaran. The novel traces every step of this love and clinically dissects who has the power of backing out. More importantly, it shows her efforts to construct similar affection in him. Told with a kind of intimacy that feels diaristic, it’s impossible to read Acts of Desperation without being vulnerable.
It crucially deviates from the Rooneysphere in two ways: 1. It is written directly to a reader, leading to needle-sharp observation that forces introspection. 2. Emotions are verbalised, if not to a character, then to the reader. This makes it seem fresher than anything I’ve read in a while, and more fun. The ultimate result of an intense story told with a writing style that attempts to understand love is a deconstructed view of the self, and the people around us. It is both refreshing and terrifying.
Here are some examples of what I’ve been trying to articulate above, along with my personal favourite.
I really like the Sally Rooney analogy. Really enjoyed reading the mini review.
On another note, I feel Sally Rooney has become a little repetitive over time. Normal People was a great work of writing, personally. Enjoyed reading Conversation With Friends. Started reading Beautiful World, Where are You and just couldn't sit for long. What are your thoughts on Rooney? Would love if you do a bite-sized thing on her writing as well.
this made me want to drop everything and read the book right now