Beautiful World, Where Are You? By Sally Rooney

One of the early highlights of the pandemic for me was Sally Rooney’s book and then her Hulu series “Normal People.” As we continue to wage this battle against the terrible virus, thank goodness Sally Rooney has used her time inside wisely by writing a new book. Reading one of her books is like taking a deep dive into a land filled with Irish millennials talking about friendships and relationships. This is the kind of scene I like, filled with worried brows and pouty lips. These people talk about sex, travel, drinking, migraines, nervous breakdowns and more. “Beautiful World, Where Are You?” has been touted as Rooney’s most mature piece of writing yet, and I would have to agree. This novel centers around friends Alice and Eileen, and the two men they are dating named Felix and Simon. Alice met Felix on a Tinder date, and he works in a warehouse. Alice is a famous writer who recently suffered a nervous breakdown. She invites Felix to go with her to Rome and he agrees. Eileen, on the other hand, has had a recent break up, and then begins pursuing a family friend, Simon. We see these relationships develop both in person with each couple, and through electronic messages between Alice and Eileen. Their correspondence is modern, while at the same time quite nostalgic and traditional. Like “Conversations with Friends,” and “Normal People,” Rooney’s characters struggle between being social outcasts and popular-center-of-attention type people. They debate the pros and cons of their choices, as well as their roads not taken. Hulu are you listening? This would make a wonderful-limited edition series. So, I suggest you start the casting search now for some attractive Irish millennials. To buy this book on Amazon click here.