Get help and learn more about the design. Her elegantly simple writing allows her ideas and musings to shine. Him needing me was strange and new. She, a . The most insightful and raw of these are the caustic observations about Irelands repressive attitudes to homosexuality and abortionand how they damage individual lives. Dolan explores the uncertainty that can come with queer dating in Exciting Times, Ava spending hours analysing Edith's Instagram for clues about her sexuality when they first meet. A refreshingly wry and insightful debut." The literary rumor mill portrays Naoise Dolan as the new Sally Rooney, and that suggestion alone might push a writer onto the bestseller list these days. Results for "Exciting Times" "Naoise Dolan" 12,128 results. I loved him potentially, she thinks. Naoise Dolan is an Irish writer born in Dublin. Search: During an evening stroll, she thinks: I didn't need to know how other women went about being together. "[A] wry, tender debutDolan's smart, brisk debut works as charming comedy of manners, though it packs less of a punch when it comes to class consciousness." 1. Who said I liked you? he counters. This book is incredibly fine. Ava, newly arrived in Hong Kong from Dublin, spends her days teaching English to rich children. Both intonations feel native to its 22 . By Naoise Dolan. In Irish author Dolan's debut novel, 22-year-old narrator Ava relocates from Dublin to Hong Kong to teach grammar at a school for English-language learners. I'm highly anticipating another Naoise Dolan book, I wonder if there could be another instalment of Ava going by Exciting Times book ending. Naoise Dolan is an Irish writer born in Dublin. Exciting Times. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. The title of Naoise Dolan's debut novel, "Exciting Times," is a clever trick an ambivalent phrase that reads one way in millennial deadpan, an additional way as an . I really enjoyed this novel and would recommend if you want to read something thats not the normal style." Intermixed with some "politics" about late stage capitalism, marxism and the class systems. The novel takes place a few years after the 2014 Umbrella Movement, peaceful demonstrations that galvanized Hong Kongs youth, who were demanding open elections, in a renewed spirit of protest. This can be really interesting territory for a novel, but it didn't completely work for me here. In fact, Exciting Times (talk about a misleading title) reads like a dry, emotionless version of Conversations with Friends without the subtle characterization and psychological realism that made Rooney a household name. She studied English literature at Trinity College Dublin and Oxford University. Dolan seasons the novel with insights about class, gender, race, colonialism, and language, though the result does not always bring depth of flavour. She's a young Irish woman, after all, and she'd written a . Regardless, I encourage you to seek outExciting Timesfor yourself because I know so many of you are hungry for reading experiences that capture the complexities of love, personal politics, and the precariousness that comes with being young and lost and in love. However, this isnt anotherNormal Peopleand dont expect it to be. evenings that often end in drunken blackouts or in bed with her sort-of boyfriend Julian, who . Its not plot-driven and Ava as a character distances herself from people in the book, so shes not intrinsically likeable. What does she see in this man? Oh . Join BookBrowse today to start discovering exceptional books! 5.79. Sentences are short. ISBN: 9781474613446. This gives the novel a strangely solipsistic feel, like a hall of mirrors, where every attempt to gaze outward is met only by your own face. But boy, this novel feels so liveless and fake. va, a 22-year-old Dubliner living in Hong Kong, describes herself as good at men. June 3, 2020 7 AM PT. Spam Free: Your email is never shared with anyone; opt out any time. Judy Blume, edited by In stylish, uncluttered prose, Naoise Dolan dissects the personal and financial transactions that make up a lifeand announces herself as a singular new voice. Stories that focus on social issues such as class and LGBTQ+ are of interest to you. Exciting Times? In July, we'll be reading Brit Bennett's bestselling novel,The Vanishing Half (opens in new tab). And no squeamishness about asking for it, discussing it, hoarding it. Ava doesnt flinch. Honestly. She's lost as well as lonely. Here, she grapples with her feelings towards Julian, a rich, witty but largely emotionless banker, and Edith, an ambitious and striking lawyer. Previously, she was an editor at Marie Claire, where she wrote and edited culture, politics, and lifestyle stories ranging from op-eds to profiles to ambitious packages. How to Join Marie Claire's Online Book Club. Read an excerpt from Danielle Prescod's new memoir, here, then dive in with us throughout the month. @cc_bookclub, "There is definitely some exciting fiction coming out of Ireland and it's hard not to compare this book to Sally Rooney's work. Just $45 for 12 months or However, as a TEFL teacher, Ava struggles with a myriad of contemplative problems and inner issues as she comes to terms with her feelings for both Julian and Edith. The middle section was slightly better than the beginning, there was an ounce of truth to it, but then it nosedived again. - Kirkus Reviews "Much likeNormal Peopleby Sally Rooney, I expect there will be polarizing opinions onExciting Times. That said, I did not always love this book. Related Post: Why You Should Buy a Kindle EXCITING TIMES, by Naoise Dolan. Ava, a 22-year-old Dubliner living in Hong Kong, describes herself as good at men. , I think it's easy to dislike this and dismiss it; on the surface, it's a young woman who can't make up her mind while living for free in someone's flat. Noting that the school hires only white people, she remarks: Like sharks teeth, teachers dropped out and were replaced. From the jump, Ava approaches the world with cleareyed humor. An intimate, bracingly intelligent debut novel about a millennial Irish expat who becomes entangled in a love triangle with a male banker and a female lawyer. So lucky us, really. ISBN-13: 9780062968746. EXCITING TIMES is a joy from start to finish, and the perfect balm for these times-fresh, funny, sharp. "Jealousy and obsession, love and late capitalism, sex and the internet all come whirling together in a wry and bracing tale of class . Naoise Dolan's Exciting Times is shortlisted for the 2020 Young Writer of the Year Award. Politically alert, heartbreakingly raw, and dryly funny, Exciting Times is thrillingly attuned to the great freedoms and greater uncertainties of modern love. If you love prose sprinkled with sarcasm, characters who could use some serious self-improvement, and complicated love stories, thenExciting Timeswill likely appeal to you. As for the ending, given the character development up to that point, it just felt really implausible. And also coming out: Ava slowly falls for Edith, a Hong Kong lawyer. When the two begin a romance, Ava pretends Julian is only a roommate. Naoise Dolan, 2020. The book centres on Ava (Dynevor), an Irish woman who moves to Hong Kong . Let the BookTokking Begin, New Colleen Hoover Book Sells 800K Copies, Colleen Hoover Dominated Book Sales in 2022. Politically alert, heartbreakingly raw, and dryly funny, Exciting Times is thrillingly attuned to the great freedoms and greater uncertainties of modern love. Judy Blume And others will find that not much happens and it's just meh. Naoise's debut novel EXCITING TIMES was published by W&N in the UK and by Ecco in the US in 2020, and became a Sunday Times bestseller, widely translated and optioned for TV. But on this occasion, its more than just a question of biography: Dolans writing does genuinely occupy similar territory. Naoise Dolan: 'I'm not good at presenting myself as likable', 'The stakes were really high': the stars bringing Sally Rooney's Normal People to TV, 'My family are too frightened to read my book': meet Europe's most exciting authors, Sally Rooney: 'I want the next thing I do to be the best thing Ive ever done', Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan review a bracing, witty debut, 'All words are not equal': the debut novelist who's become a lockdown sensation, Tiger King and a bloody mary: Hilary Mantel, Simon Armitage and other writers on lockdown life, Introducing our 10 best debut novelists of 2020. Overall. Lily Bloom is still running a flower shop; her abusive ex-husband, Ryle Kincaid, is still a surgeon. Ava feels safer, more shielded from harm with Julian, but happier with Edith. I know it's frustrating that any new young female writer must find themselves compared to Sally Rooney. Another month has whizzed by, seriously where is 2021 going so fast, and it is time for the latest #BookClub with Melanie and I. Edith Zhang Mei LingEnglish name Edith, Chinese name Mei Ling . Author Its something I appreciate in memoirs and also in literary fiction. Most recently, she was the Managing Editor at Coveteur, where she oversaw the sites day-to-day editorial operations. Rushed in some places, dragged out in others. Susan Blumberg-Kason is the author of . That, or I wanted to be him., Ava is hyper-verbal and exacting, and Dolans writing excels when Ava turns her analytical eye on the intersections between English syntax, zeitgeist technology and interpersonal relationships: Because I lacked warmth, I was mainly assigned grammar classes, where children not liking you was a positive performance indicator. Don't get me wrong, it's not the story itself, the story as a concept it totally up my alley (it has to be, because it sounds like a Sally Rooney novel): A 22 year old Irish expat living in Hong Kong who finds herself in a love triangle with a cold English banker who doesn't want to be her partner but will let her live in his expensive appartment for free, and a young woman from Hong Kong. Condition - Very Good. After graduating from Trinity, Dubliner Ava moves to Hong Kong to teach Englishthe only thing she is qualified to doand gets hired mostly because she is white. m sorry. Ava is an accurately drawn emblem of the zeitgeist, but as such, she stands apart from it, isolated. The protagonist, Ava, is an intelligent, 22-year-old loner who moves from her native Dublin to Hong Kong to teach English, with no discernible qualifications other than being white. Perhaps because Ava's first love interest, Julian, uncomfortably reminded me of someone from my past! "Exciting Timesby Naoise Dolan follows a young 20-something as she flees Dublin for Hong Kong in search of a life that matches her desires. This month we are discussing. Exciting Times Book Rating. Those whove spent time in Hong Kong cant help wondering what its like to be among the Anglophone transplants who work and party there. The years in between are related in brief segments by numerous characters, but mostly by Vix. As for Julian, he is a closed book he wouldnt fulfil his function in the storyline otherwise and the rest of the characters, barring Avas hilariously frank Mam on the phone from Ireland, are similarly unforthcoming. East and West collide in a timely and bittersweet novel of loyalty, love, and the siren call of freedom. "Okay wow, what a great book! Noting that the school hires only white people, she remarks: "Like sharks' teeth, teachers dropped out and were replaced.". I loved Exciting Times and could see within the first few chapters why it's on lots of best books 2020 lists. In fact, Now longlisted for the 2021 Desmond Elliott Prize for debut fiction and for the 2021 Women's Prize. My main problem was Ava. About the author (2020) Naoise Dolan is an Irish writer born in Dublin. Blume knows the way kids and teens speak, but her two female leads are less credible as they reach adulthood. by I am a huge Sally Rooney fan, ergo, this book was such a treat for me. She is also obsessive and over-analytical in her thoughts about both Julian and Edith. I hope youll give her debut a tryit was exceedingly worth it!" audible mp3, ePUB (Android), kindle, and audiobook. Publisher: Ecco, 256 pages, $27.99. When you purchase an independently reviewed book through our site, we earn an affiliate commission. Dolan writes about some of the social and political changes happening on the island, and its really interesting to consider this novel a time capsule for some of the last, perhaps, 'golden years' of the Anglo-European expat life in Hong Kong. Who said I liked you? he counters. The story follows Ava through two loosely defined relationshipswith Julian, a wealthy British banker, and with Edith, a Hong Kong born, Cambridge-educated lawyer. Atlas, who is single and running a restaurant, feels the same way. But I didnt trust anyone.The richer I got, the harder it would be for anyone to force me to do anything. Dolans preoccupation with power is often couched in humor but always expertly observed. I liked Exciting Times a lot more than the average GR reviewer. (I mean, I love them both and what good company to be in! The book is perfect for those who wants to read contemporary, lgbt books. Naoise Dolan's Exciting Times drew instant comparisons to Sally Rooney's Conversations with Friends (2017) and Normal People (2019)perhaps because Dolan and Rooney are both brilliant Irish . white authors writing books that are set in asia, but have a set of characters that are 98% white with only a few token, stereotypical asian characters . Exciting Times is published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson. anyway i picked this novel up solely because of the sally rooney comparisons and in the second chapter itself a sentence begins like because i lacked warmth [] which reminded me of the quote in rooney's second novel that goes [..] marianne lacks warmth, by which she means the ability to beg for love from people who hate her. what i will say in my measured judgement is that rooney's writing, especially considering. EXCITING TIMES is an acerbic tale of sex and love, set in the social media age * The Herald Scotland * Incredibly readable * Belfast Telegraph * With Naoise Dolan on the literary scene, there are EXCITING TIMES ahead * i-D * The Irish debut novel everyone is talking about * The Gloss * I savoured every shrewd line * Dazed * A sharp, witty and . Do you take delight in words like "gormless"? Already drawing comparisons to Sally Rooney's work, "Exciting Times," by Naoise Dolan, has many of the familiar tropes of the "millennial . Naoise Dolan is an Irish writer born in Dublin. Politically alert, heartbreakingly raw, and dryly funny, Exciting Times is thrillingly attuned to the great freedoms and greater uncertainties of modern love. Heavily influenced by Sally Rooneys Normal People in terms of the tiresome indecisiveness of committing to a relationship, its as if Exciting Times is just Normal People set in China with some extra LGBT content packed in. In stylish, uncluttered prose, Naoise Dolan dissects the personal and financial transactions that make up a lifeand announces herself as a singular new voice. Available in used condition with free delivery in the UK. Telling neither the full truth about the other, Ava finds herself falling in love with Edith. [1] For faster navigation, this Iframe is preloading the Wikiwand page for Naoise Dolan . A widowed painter and her teenaged . The comparison was mentioned repeatedly in the book's marketing materials, in reviews, in interviews, and in the 28-year-old's author biographies. ), On a personal level, I found Avas character very insular and detached, but the moments that worked their way under my skin were those where she drafted text messages which she didnt send. Also, his father had been ill. Never feel guilty about skipping book club again. Its a brilliantly concise summation of her take on relationships, which she sees as a power game, an ultimately shallow emotional transaction in which the greatest potential benefit might be that you get to move into an apartment better than anything you can afford on your own. The fact that Naoise Dolan is being touted as "the new Sally Rooney" is nothing short of an insult to Rooney's work. Sally Rooney-endorsed. Her first novel. Aleksandar Hemon's characters are romantics. She studied English literature at Trinity College Dublin and Oxford University. This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers. Her debut novel, Exciting Times, was a Sunday Times bestseller, widely translated, and optioned for television. RELEASE DATE: Oct. 18, 2022. But there are nuances that made me literally stop reading and think about what Dolan had wrote. Similarly to her feelings about Julian, Ava becomes obsessed with Edith, to the point where she begins wondering if Edith will be her girlfriend. But Caitlin, whose own demons have been hinted at, will not be so lucky. Still, Naoise Dolan deserves her own praise. Politics, grammar, and morality are explored with quick jabs and sharp wording. I have a feeling this one is going to be popping up on lots of summer 2020 must read lists! Ava has left her life in Ireland behind to teach English to rich children in Hong Kong. She said "completely" a lot and usually dropped the "t" in the middle. None of the English-speaking characters seek to venture beyond their established social circles, where even brief references to elections or the conditions of domestic workers are dismissed as white savior-ish. They barely notice the Chinese characters on street signs, let alone try to understand them. I could see it forever, for us: walking through cities, laughing at things that werent that funny. When Julian tells her hes returning to Hong Kong, she must navigate the precarious situation shes inadvertently created. She hinges on the idea of a strong female, but then plays out the stereotype. Ava makes it her mission to get him to admit some feelings for her, purely because it would give her the upper hand. What listeners say about Exciting Times Average Customer Ratings. In stylish, uncluttered prose, Naoise Dolan dissects the personal and financial transactions that make up a lifeand announces herself as a singular new voice. And yet its so original. GENERAL FICTION, by Do you marvel at clever sentence structure when encountered in a book? Dolan's debut novel, Exciting Times, is a smart, funny, . Naoise Dolan is an Irish writer born in Dublin. Judy Blume. <style> body { -ms-overflow-style: scrollbar; overflow-y: scroll; overscroll-behavior-y: none; } .errorContainer { background-color: #FFF; color: #0F1419; max-width . Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Reviews: Trustpilot. Like New Very Good Good. I loved the IG stalking references, so current and fun to read. The Irish author, who will appear virtually at the Hong Kong International Literary Festival, set her multi-award winning novel in Hong Kong DAS APASIONANTES es una novela social (casi generacional) disfrazada de historia de amor. Naoise Dolan's debut novel, Exciting Times shares a lot of similarities to Sally Rooney's Normal People (and shades of Conversations with Friends). You have to understand that this is the kind of story I have very high standards for because the plot is an evergreen plot: young person at loose ends making her way in the world and deciding who to love. And then Julian writes to tell Ava he is coming back to Hong Kong Should Ava return to the easy compatibility of her life with Julian or take a leap into the unknown with Edith? It read as slow-paced indecisiveness. Por supuesto que la historia de esta joven irlandesa buscndose la vida como profesora de ingls en Hong Kong y tratando de sobrevivir a dos amores casi opuestos (aunque no tan diferentes) es maravillosa, sexy, extica y fascinante, pero es que ese personaje protagonista est tan bien construido que el libro sera igual de interesante si no le pasase nada de todo lo extraordinario que le sucede. Straight romance. Exciting Times is a beautiful novel written by the famous author Naoise Dolan. From the jump, Ava approaches the world with cleareyed humor. . (How can you tell whether you like someone? She has been shortlisted and longlisted for several prizes, including The Women's Prize for Fiction, the Dylan Thomas Prize and The Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year . But now theyre co-parenting a daughter, Emerson, who's almost a year old. Im sorry. . She's a long way from her home in Ireland. Abbi Jacobson $28.00 in cart add to cart About Support / Help Become an Affiliate Gift Cards Careers - We're hiring! 4. "Gaydars . 1. LITERARY FICTION | Eileen was six years older than me. The novel goes on to discuss the history of colonialism by the British of the Irish and Hong Kong. "When you are craving a loveable story with depth and true character developmentthis should be your next read.". His privilege is the invisible third party in the relationship. I wanted her life, Ava thinks. - Hilary Mantel. I know everyone says this, but there are so many similarities I saw between this andNormal People. If Sally Rooney couldn't write, was more cynical and forgot everything about subtlety and realistic characterisation and dialogue. In stylish, uncluttered prose, Naoise Dolan dissects the personal and financial transactions that make up a lifeand announces herself as a singular new voice. Avas character provides us with biting social commentary. This novel is a tedious account of one girls romantic flings during a year of living abroad in Hong Kong. New RRP 8.99. Youre not a fan of unreliable narrators (hiit me), 3. And sometimes youre just not sure anything looks good and nothing quite fits right. Queer romance. Throughout the book, Ava makes incisive observations about the legacy of colonialism in both HK and Ireland, in addition to funny musings about the rules of English grammar she teaches her students, but can hardly explain, let alone justify, herself. She has been short-listed and long-listed for several prizes, including the Women's Prize for Fiction, the Dylan Thomas Prize, and the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award. More Books, Published Jun 2020 I know its frustrating that any new young female writer must find themselves compared to Sally Rooney. Our parents had divorced when I was a baby, and now lived in different counties in the west of Ireland. Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan is published by W&N (14.99), Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. Ultimately, this one was a miss for me. I know its frustrating that any new young female writer must find themselves compared to Sally Rooney. The style is detached and detaching in an interesting way but if you like sinking teeth into a narrative this is not for you. You like an unreliable narrator (thinkEleanor Oliphant) as you read. I like cool detached styling, I like complex unlikeable protagonists, I like dissections of class, I like explorations of sexuality. The prose is interesting; the way Dolan writes the dialogue is natural; the conversations back home with family felt real in a way that many writing about calling home don't. Naoise Dolan is a queer and autistic Irish writer born in Dublin. Caitlin, on the other hand, lives part of the year with her wealthy mother Phoebe, whos just moved to Albuquerque, and summers with her father Lamb, equally affluent, on the Vineyard. 6 min read. 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But Im going to just get it out of the way, for Naoise Dolan is Irish, in her mid-20s, and her debut was previewed in literary magazine, Naoise Dolan: 'I'm not good at presenting myself as likable', Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan review a witty, deadpan debut, 'The stakes were really high': the stars bringing Sally Rooney's Normal People to TV, 'My family are too frightened to read my book': meet Europe's most exciting authors, Sally Rooney: 'I want the next thing I do to be the best thing Ive ever done', 'All words are not equal': the debut novelist who's become a lockdown sensation, Tiger King and a bloody mary: Hilary Mantel, Simon Armitage and other writers on lockdown life, Introducing our 10 best debut novelists of 2020. , Something small I enjoyed was the depiction of Ava's queerness. She is highly attuned both to the power dynamics at play (do you want me to depend on you? she asks him) and to her moral predicament, as she adds up how much money she is saving on rent, as well as on the clothes and meals Julian pays for with the funds he doesnt know what to do with. Unfortunately, I cant give this book the raving review I want to because not only is Ava aimless, but shes SO passive-aggressive within her relationships." A Hong Kongborn lawyer, striking and ambitious, Edith takes Ava to the theater and leaves her tulips in the hallway. But Im going to just get it out of the way, for Naoise Dolan is Irish, in her mid-20s, and her debut was previewed in literary magazine The Stinging Fly while Rooney edited it.
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