Beautiful World, Where Are You - Review

𝔹𝕠𝕠𝕜 ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨

𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥, 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘈𝘳𝘦 𝘠𝘰𝘶 by Sally Rooney

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This quote says it all, what if the meaning of life is just to live and fill that life with people that make you feel alive? Two best friends, Alice and Eileen, struggle with this concept, writing to each other about what makes life difficult, going on rants about religion, art and philosophy, trying to find a meaning to all of it. The characters in this book are all in their 30s, a time in life when you are expected to know who you are and where you fit into the world. Turning 30 doesn’t mean you have your life in order.

I loved how this book explored four different people’s struggles with their selves and with each other. Life isn’t perfect, humans aren’t perfect, but finding the people you need in life, that’s what makes it feel perfect. Accept the love they give you. That’s what brings happiness to your soul.

Sally Rooney’s writing style is unique, not for everyone, I think. Her storytelling can get clunky at times but that’s what makes her books feel so personable, like having a casual conversation with a good friend. Alice, Eileen, Simon, and Felix all suffer from some form of depression, and honestly, who the hell doesn’t? For some of the characters, it’s too much. Others just accept the sadness they feel as normal.

The romances are slow-burning and frustrating yet also satisfying. Though the love interests play a large part in the story and character development, and there are quite a few spicy scenes, I wouldn’t call BWWAY a romance. It’s a book about friendship and love, but mostly, it’s about searching for a beautiful world.