Edith is a local, sophisticated, and enthusiastic lawyer who falls in love with Ava and isnt afraid to say so. While there, Ava meets Julian, a rich banker from London, who invites her to move into his home. Naoise Dolan is an Irish writer born in Dublin. Though this model of relationship-as-power-struggle is hardly new, Dolan brings a fresh 21st-century sensibility to it. Julian is a banker. At some point, the millennial-ness of it all became too much for me and I felt my eyes glaze over a bit. Straight romance. Youre not a fan of unreliable narrators (hiit me), 3. Its not plot-driven and Ava as a character distances herself from people in the book, so shes not intrinsically likeable. Welcome to Hong Kong, where Julian (English) is a banker and Ava (Irish) is a leech. Thats good to know about me, she thinks. You didnt likeNormal Peopleor are not a fan of Sally Roonys writing style (like, I readNormal Peoplea year ago and still am unsure how I feel), 2. Dolan has a great eye and I was poised over my Kindle highlighting witty dialogue and observations more than a few times. 2. As they fall into a quasi-relationship, Ava moves into his apartment, where Julian allows her to live rent-free. After a local waiter replies to her English greeting in Cantonese, an irritated Edith points out one of Avas blind spots: Youre not noticing because youre white, she says, people see me and assume Im from here. Edith might let Ava off the hook, but why should todays reader do the same? EXCITING TIMES is a joy from start to finish, and the perfect balm for these times-fresh, funny, sharp. When Ava leaves Ireland aged 22 to make her own money . However, I soon grew to really like this, as I became used to her inner thoughts. More Books, Published Jun 2020 Now 45% Off. Exciting Times Naoise Dolan. , 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. She studied at Trinity College, followed by a master's in Victorian literature at Oxford. I think these were used as great insights. Naoise Dolan is an Irish novelist. I found her style of writing very unusual and can see why people would compare her to Sally Rooney based on that. Its a Euro-centric story, despite its Asian setting." Its a layered book because of these factors, and it works in the storys favor. Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan, review: a wily, caustic debut novel about young love Soon Ava falls for sternly witty British banker Julian - for his mind in a way, and certainly for his wallet. in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. 'There was something Shakespearean about imperious men going down on you: the mighty have fallen.'. Thats partly because Edith herself is only lightly sketched in. The story follows Ava, a quick witted, self-loathing Irish 22-year-old teacher and Julian, an almost-30-year-old British banker, both living as expats in Hong Kong. "Hands down one of the most anticipated debuts of the yearA piercingly provocative look at modern love and power games." Edith is curious and enthusiastic, and Ava can no longer maintain her detached, ironical approach to life feelings flower all over the place. Have I compared this book to Sally Rooney enough times yet?? 40+ in stock. Join BookBrowse today to start discovering exceptional books! I dove right in and read from beginning to end, and now Im giving thanks that such a book exists in the worldlight, sweet, sad, true. But there are nuances that made me literally stop reading and think about what Dolan had wrote. If you, like me, answered yes to all three of those questions, then you're in for a treat. His privilege is the invisible third party in the relationship. Sure, her salary is good compared to the locals, but ending things with Julian would mean shed have to, gasp, live like they do, in coffin homes.. Everyone should read it right now. Naoise Dolan Julian, her posh banker boyfriend, has such an apartment which is just as well, since he also has an arrogance to match his salary. June 2, 2020. This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers. Julian is a banker who likes spending time with Ava, but incapable (or simply unwilling) to express his feelings for her. Ava feels safer, more shielded from harm with Julian, but happier with Edith. 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. Read more. From the jump, Ava approaches the world with cleareyed humor. 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. Politics FBI agents, prosecutors argued over Trump before raid 8:48pm Gophers Scoggins: Give . The characters are refreshing, I think particularly for me because they are not American, thus allowing for some exploration of how differing cultures analyze and observe class, race, and politics. Exciting Times? Dolan is particularly good at capturing the way men talk to women whom they mistakenly think are not as smart as they are. Those whove spent time in Hong Kong cant help wondering what its like to be among the Anglophone transplants who work and party there. Button, water, Tuesdayanything with two syllables zipped up then down like a Gothic steeple. Though the wedding briefly revives Vixs old feelings for Bru, whom Caitlin is marrying, Vix is soon in love with Gus, another old summer friend, and a more compatible match. Stories so good, you won't need a bookmark. Her debut novel, Exciting Times, was a Sunday Times bestseller, widely translated, and optioned for television. Ava, newly arrived in Hong Kong from Dublin, spends her days teaching English to rich children. 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. I found this an invigorating respite from how people usually assessed women.. So lucky us, really. Victoria, or more commonly Vix, lives in a small house; her brother has muscular dystrophy; her mother is unhappy, and money is scarce. After high school, Caitlin travels the world and cant understand why Vix, by now at Harvard on a scholarship and determined to have a better life than her mother has had, wont drop out and join her. This book is incredibly fine. Founded in 2009, The Rumpus is one of the longest running independent online literary and culture magazines.Our mostly volunteer-run magazine strives to be a platform for risk-taking voices and writing that might not find a home elsewhere. I personally see the appeal for Sally Rooneys fans (and thats why I chose it as my next rec), but I also think that Dolan deserves praise of her own. Overall, the #ReadWithMC community had trouble relating to Ava, mainly due to her passive aggressiveness and inability to speak the truth to fellow characters in the book. Offline, shes likely watching a Heat game or finding a new coffee shop. Exciting Times Naoise Dolan $27.99 $26.03 in cart add to cart I Might Regret This: Essays, Drawings, Vulnerabilities, and. I know its frustrating that any new young female writer must find themselves compared to Sally Rooney. Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published. $15 for 3 months. 3. I need to have a protagonist I can rally behindand Avas self-pitying rants just made me irritated and wanting her to find a good therapist. You liked the writing style ofNormal People. @bookcrazyblogger. Since the content is visually instructed, it creates excitement in learning by the users and improves the retention rate to a greater extent which . Again, this recalls Rooney, who uses emails both sent and unsent as a potent fictional technique, and writes in Normal People that the network is a form of intelligence in itself, containing them both, and containing their feelings for each other. 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 . dynamic. In her first months as an expat, she meets Juliana 28-year-old English bankerwho seems aloof about everything except his job. I have a feeling this one is going to be popping up on lots of summer 2020 must read lists! ), She and Edith are a love story, but also a fear story. She's a young Irish woman, after all, and she'd written a . 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. 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. Instead of just a romance or coming-of-age narrative, Dolan dives a bit deeper to probe what we carry into the relationships we form (like our personal politics and gendered expectations) and how those either weigh us down or perhaps end up setting us free., Exciting Timeslost me a bit in the second half with its pacing. Reviews: Trustpilot. Nenia I yeet my books back and forth Campbell, review of Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan on LonesomeReader. 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. (Image credit: Design By Morgan McMullen), (Image credit: Design by Morgan McMullen), We're InspiredCrisp Suiting and Bold Beauty is All We Can Currently Think About, Revolve Is Having a Huge One-Day-Only Saleand You Can Get $100 Off These Legendary Gucci Sunglasses, Jo Piazza and Christine Pride Tackle the Complicated Topic of Motherhood in 'You Were Always Mine', 'Token Black Girl' Is Our October Book Club Pick, 25 Books by Latinx Authors You Should Read Immediately, Join #ReadWithMC: Marie Claire's Virtual Monthly Book Club, 'Mika In Real Life' Is Our September Book Club Pick. Magazine Subscribers (How to Find Your Reader Number), 6 Queer Debuts To Read During Pride Month, Shortlists for Dalkey Literary Awards Are Revealed, Colleen Hoover Is Back. 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. The story of how this casual invitation turns the two girls into what they call "Summer sisters" is prefaced with a prologue in which Vix is asked by Caitlin to be her matron of honor. Exciting Times Book Rating. Dolan skilfully reveals to us how Avas choices are all made with self-protection in mind: her constant irony, her low expectations, her chilly relationship with Julian. Were glad you found a book that interests you! Exciting Times : A Novel [PDF] PDF Under: Categories eBooks & Readings. Naoise Dolan is an Irish writer born in Dublin. Still, Dolan deserves her own praise for her debut novel that centers on a millennial Irish expat named Ava who teaches abroad in Hong Kong, and ends up in a love triangle with a banker, Julian, and a lawyer, Edith. Get help and learn more about the design. The most insightful and raw of these are the caustic observations about Irelands repressive attitudes to homosexuality and abortionand how they damage individual lives. @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. Colleen Hoover When you not only stalk her on subreddits, but worry about whether the algorithm will reveal to her the true extent of your stalking. Nordstrom has been the go-to destination for fashion editors alike, and this season is no different. @book_gal. Like Rooney, Dolan writes in a deadpan style. Still, Naoise Dolan deserves her own praise. Es un libro en el que la protagonista est tan bien retratada y es tan cruda y llena de aristas que, realmente, casi da igual lo que le pase a ella personalmente, porque lo que te interesa como lector es su voz, su forma de ver el mundo y su forma de verse a s misma. But boy, this novel feels so liveless and fake. Both are well-educated and earning a good living. By this I mean that Naise Dolan also focuses on love from a millennial point of view. I wanted her life, Ava thinks. Its not easy to sustain interest in someone so relentlessly floundering for self-knowledge, and the book flags once Ava and Edith are together. 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. But Julians impending return means Ava must decide not so much between her lovers as between Edith and the expensive flat that she doesnt pay for. , Dry humor can be hard to execute on the page, but Naoise Dolan does so effortlessly and its evident from the very first pages. This is one of the hottest debut authors of 2020, described as the new Sally Rooney and perfect for fans ofAnimalsandTrick Mirror. Exciting Timesfollows Ava, a young Irish woman living in Hong Kong and her relationship with Julian and Edith. When he leaves to go work in London again, Ava is left wondering what their exact relationship status is, caught between being a sugar baby or being Julians girlfriend. She's lost as well as lonely. With Julian away, the women bond and Ava must interrogate herself over a whole new range of feelings. The comparison was mentioned repeatedly in the book's marketing materials, in reviews, in interviews, and in the 28-year-old's author biographies. She's instructing the dispassionate topic of grammar to youngsters in Hong Kong. Not so much. Most recently, she was the Managing Editor at Coveteur, where she oversaw the sites day-to-day editorial operations. They were playful, charged, strained. This debut novel tells the story of a millennial Irish expat who becomes entangled in a love triangle with a male banker and a female lawyer Copyright 2023 Kirkus Media LLC. I would have liked for Dolan to explore the experiences of native Hong Kong residentsfor instance, she allude to coffin homes and student protests without going into detail. The rumors are true: This does read like Sally Rooney. "Aimless Ava moves from Dublin to Hong Kong looking to find purpose for her life. I loved the IG stalking references, so current and fun to read. Margaret Verble is the author of several previous novels, including. Exciting Times is very funny in its cool observation and the way it takes us inside Avas spirals of overthinking. Read if you like Animals by Emma Jane Unsworth, Trick Mirror by Jia Tolentino, The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath - Sunday Times Style. Ava wants to be herand wants her. Retrieve credentials. Enter Edith. Rushed in some places, dragged out in others. When Lily runs into Atlas Corrigan, a childhood friend who also came from an abusive family, she hopes their friendship can blossom into love. The following is excerpted from Naoise Dolan's debut novel, Exciting Times, an excerpt of which was published in The Stinging Fly by Sally Rooney. - O, the Oprah Magazine "I have to say I really liked this debut novel by Naoise Dolan. Behind Ryles veneer of civility are his jealousy and resentment. Reviews | Theres a certain dry, almost deadpan quality in her observation of the lives of her twentysomething characters the complications of attraction, and the gap between whats felt and whats spoken; calmly articulated self-loathing, and precise capturing of class differences that both authors nail down dead. Im not sure how many of you will actually love this novel. Its a great pick for everyone whos sensitive and introspective, but also cynical and scared of relationships." Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan was published April 16th with Weidenfeld & Nicolson and is described as 'accessible, acerbic, smart and fun' Skip to content. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. In between, Lily and Atlas steal away for romantic moments that are even sweeter for their authenticity as Lily struggles with child care, breastfeeding, and running a business while trying to find time for herself. In Exciting Times, Naoise Dolan's debut novel, the characters have better problems than most of us do. Exciting Times was also nominated in the Best Newcomer Category at the An Post Irish Book Awards. I loved Exciting Times and could see within the first few chapters why it's on lots of best books 2020 lists. Her relationships are dysfunctional and we see her repeatedly make choices that we know (or think we know) are wrong for her. As for the ending, given the character development up to that point, it just felt really implausible. Also, his father had been ill. And no squeamishness about asking for it, discussing it, hoarding it. Ava doesnt flinch. Her first novel. [4] She identifies as queer. I definitely feltand enjoyedthat similar sparseness of language employed by both authors to cut to the crux of an emotion. Exciting Times By: Naoise Dolan. Julian, her posh banker boyfriend, has such an apartment which is just as well, since he also has an arrogance to match his salary. "Droll, shrewd and unafraida winning debut." On a sentence level the novel delivers one perfect zinger after another. She spends so much time telling us how lacking she is that I started to believe her. With Naoise Dolan on the literary scene, there are Exciting Times ahead.' - i-D. Noting that the school hires only white people, she remarks: "Like sharks' teeth, teachers dropped out and were replaced.". Sentences are short. In Exciting Times, Echoes of Sally Rooney, but With a Queer Twist, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/02/books/review/exciting-times-naoise-dolan.html. But the intellectual aura inserted across the novel felt taut and occasionally reaching. Droll, shrewd and unafraid - a winning debut. 6 min read. If youre looking for likable and well-rounded characters, a happy love story, and everything packaged up in a neat box, this isnt it. Characters who bottle up and wont say how they feel drive me crazy, and Ava was no exception here. 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. But Caitlin, whose own demons have been hinted at, will not be so lucky. Telling neither the full truth about the other, Ava finds herself falling in love with Edith. Omnipresent yet subtle, Hong Kong doesn't overshadow the characters and their struggles in trying to figure out life. Find out exactly what #ReadWithMC loved and didn't love aboutExciting Times, below. Books that read fast, cut fluff, and get to the point are your jam. She talks to Ava about Ava, and delivers the odd riff on her mother or Judy Garland, but we never delve deep into her own feelings or get to see her vulnerabilities exposed. Categories: Pre-publication book reviews and features keeping readers and industry In a novel where human connection is such a challenge, these flickering pixels provide one of the most affecting and powerful moments. In Naoise Dolan's 'Exciting Times,' an Irish ex-pat in Hong Kong lands in a love triangle. evenings that often end in drunken blackouts or in bed with her sort-of boyfriend Julian, who . EXCITING TIMES. Secrets, shame, and adoption in the 1960sa poignant tale of a mother's enduring love. Eek! "Telling Time to Minute" contains high-end 3D animations that explain abstract topics visually in detail to understand it more easily. va, a 22-year-old Dubliner living in Hong Kong, describes herself as good at men. - Hilary Mantel. Ava makes it her mission to get him to admit some feelings for her, purely because it would give her the upper hand. 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. About a third into the story, when I was starting to wonder where everything was going, were introduced to Edith, a lawyer from Hong Kong who starts to capture Avas attention away from Julian. I know its frustrating that any new young female writer must find themselves compared to Sally Rooney. Both intonations feel native to its 22 . Genre: Literary Fiction