Beautiful World, Where Are You - A Review
If you're a fan of Sally Rooney's writing, then you're probably already familiar with her latest novel, Beautiful World, Where Are You. And if you're anything like me, then you're currently riding the emotional rollercoaster of having finished it, only to immediately want to read it all over again. In this novel, Rooney once again explores the complexities of relationships - between friends, between lovers, and between ourselves and the world around us.
Beautiful World, Where Are You follows two friends, Alice and Eileen, as they navigate their late 20s and early 30s. Alice is a successful novelist who’s grappling with writer’s block and a sense of disconnection from her own life. Rooney does an excellent job of portraying Alice's anxiety in a way that feels authentic and relatable. Alice is a complex character, with deep emotional wounds stemming from her difficult childhood. Though also successful in her career and praised for her talent, she struggles to balance the public persona of who she has become with the private person she wishes to be. Her fear of being too exposed and vulnerable makes her push away romantic partners, despite having an on-and-off relationship with Felix. She is introspective, empathetic and reflective, providing a real sense of authenticity to her character.
Eileen is a character who is questioning everything in her life, from her job, to her relationships, to her own personal identity. She’s smart, witty and funny, with Rooney capturing her inner thoughts and quirks in a way that feels incredibly genuine. Despite feeling like she lacks direction in life, Eileen has a clear desire to find happiness, which ultimately becomes the driving force behind her actions. Her friendship with Alice feels deep and real, without ever existing in an idealized or perfect form.
Alice and Eileen weave their way through life’s challenges while navigating their often complicated love lives with our major male characters, Simon and Felix. Felix is Alice’s on-again, off-again lover, who is portrayed as a free spirit and an unhealthy influence on her at times. Rooney portrays Felix as sometimes aloof, sometimes caring, and sometimes cruel. There is a sense of darkness lurking beneath Felix’s charm, suggesting a deeper emotional complexity to his character beyond the surface-level playboy. It's clear that he cares for Alice, but can he be the partner she needs?
In contrast to Felix, Simon is Eileen’s long-time friend. They have a platonic bond that is fueled by their intellectual curiosity and love for literature. For Eileen, Simon is the stable, safe choice, but the arrival of a younger, more dynamic and challenging man forces her to confront the fact that Simon might not be enough for her. Simon is sweet, attentive and caring. However, despite feeling the intensity of attraction towards Eileen, his own reserved nature makes it hard for him to express his feelings.
What I loved most about this book was the way Rooney explored the complexities of modern relationships. Alice and her on-and-off again boyfriend, Felix, are mismatched, but there's an undeniable attraction between them that neither can fully shake. Eileen is questioning whether or not she should commit to a more traditional relationship with her childhood friend, Simon, or explore new possibilities with someone who challenges her intellectually and emotionally.
The characters themselves are relatable and flawed, and I found myself empathizing with each of them at different points in the book. Alice's struggle with anxiety hit particularly close to home for me, and the way Rooney handled those issues felt both sensitive and authentic. One of the things that sets this book apart for me is the way Rooney approaches the craft of writing itself. She doesn't shy away from discussing the challenges of writing for a living, and the way Alice's writing process is portrayed felt like an accurate representation of what it's like to be a writer oneself.
Rooney's writing style is, as always, stunning. Her prose is sparse and precise, and she has a talent for capturing the essence of a moment with just a few words. There were so many lines in this book that made me pause and re-read them, just to savor the beauty of the language.
Overall, Beautiful World, Where Are You is a book that will stick with me for a long time. It's a quiet novel in many ways, but its emotional impact is undeniable. If you're a fan of Rooney's previous work, or just looking for a thoughtful and moving exploration of modern relationships, then give this book a read. It might just break your heart, but in the best way possible.
Rating: 4/5