Contemporary Romance, Irish Literature, Coming of Age
Book Summary
Beautiful World Where Are You draws upon four central characters: Alice Kelleher is an illustrious Irish novelist who, in the depths of a daunting psychological breakdown, rents an old rectory on the outskirts of a coastal town in the comfort of her own solitude. She meets Felix Brady on Tinder, and then invites him on an inauspicious first date where she becomes drawn to his witty, droll personality.
Interwoven with their story is that of Eileen Lydon, a hyper-intellectual recovering from an aching breakup, who finds herself drifting towards her sole source of happiness in her turbulent, melancholy childhood - Simon. Hesitant to risk losing his devoted friendship for a serious relationship that might go wrong, she carefully navigates her way through the inscrutable complexity of maintaining lasting relationships in your 20s.
These four characters are deep and astute but also severely flawed, routinely exasperating, and woefully insecure. Socially challenged and constantly tripped up in the minefields of intimacy, they yearn to find connections in this promisingly beautiful world.
“At times I think of human relationships as something soft like sand or water, and by pouring them into particular vessels we give them shape.”
Is this book perfect for me?
This book is perfect for readers that love a witty, unique novel that critiques and draws upon the workings of society. Mainly in the form of letters laced with scrutiny, the characters share their views on capitalism, religion, Irish literature, feminism, Marxism and much more. While narrating a captivating plot line of complex human relationships, Rooney also provides deep intellectual insight on the philosophy of society and its flaws.
This book is also perfect for readers that enjoy reading about four individuals unraveling the mysteries of adulthood, discovering themselves and analysing the intricacy of relationships; while also enjoying the frivolity of life, sex, love and spontaneity. This novel perfectly encapsulates what it would feel like to be a young adult scrambling to create a satisfactory life in today’s society, and is a promising read for those who enjoy these themes.
“And I love that about humanity, and in fact it's the very reason I root for us to survive - because we are so stupid about each other.”
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