They are young, cultured, unstable. They philosophize about beauty or the state of the world while commenting on political news and wondering if they want to have children. The characters of Sally Rooney, who kind of became the voice of millennials with Conversations between friends and Normal People (adapted as a TV series), have not really changed; they’re just a few years older – and a few worries to boot.
Alice and Eileen, they have not yet celebrated their 30th birthday, but they are looking for each other, disappointed by their careers as by their love life – gravitating around Simon and Felix. They send each other e-mails where they pour out on this “lack of satisfaction” which prevents them from being happy or even this feeling of failure and disillusion in the face of adult life, when everything seemed possible at dawn. twenties.
However, despite their worries and uncertainties, they continue to believe in love and friendship and take us in their wake, in these uncomfortable situations, these moments of sadness and these tasty exchanges that Sally Rooney knows how to tell like no other. with a disarming simplicity and naturalness – and absolutely charming.
Where are you, wonderful world ?
Sally Rooney (translated from English by Laetitia Devaux)
Editions of the Olivier
384 pages