The examination of language, deftly managed through Ava’s job as a teacher of English grammar, is one of the highlights of the book. As a study of a complicated realisation of and coming to terms with bisexuality, it succeeds.Īs a study of a complicated realisation of and coming to terms with bisexuality, it succeeds. Ava notes how they’re different, but like everything in the novel, it’s more complicated than that.

The possibility of simply pitting Edith and Julian, male and female, against each other, is there, but is avoided. After describing himself as a PPEist and a bit of a hack, one character is told: “Ralph, you’re thirty.” Sometimes this critical eye is cutting and extremely funny. She compares Hong Kong to life at home in Ireland, and a scene in which Julian’s circle of friends laugh at her background unaware she can hear, is detached, but nonetheless deeply felt.

Repeatedly, when you least expect it, you’re reminded of Irish women’s lack of access to abortion, and the very real effects of this on their lives.Īva wonders early in her relationship if having sex with a banker is “socialist praxis”. Its references are very up to date – they discuss May’s Brexit strategy, and characters have opinions of Corbyn. The book is fiercely aware of class, money, race, and what is right.

At points, it is more like a sudden wave of icy water, and it doesn’t just splash. Its sentences, writes Clare Fisher are like “a splash of cold water to the face”. Reviews have called it “formidable”, “icily brilliant”, “droll”. Reviews have called it “formidable”, “icily brilliant”, “droll”īut whilst this outline, foreign romance, coming-of-age, might give you one picture, I can guarantee this book is not it. A little into this non-relationship, she meets Edith, and the story follows the evolution of their relationship too. She ends up (how remains quite unclear) living with Julian, an oxford-graduate and now a banker, and socialising with his friends. Published in April, Exciting Times follows a young woman, Ava, from home in Ireland to Hong Kong to teach English after graduation. But, as we must have learnt from every female-led series being “the new fleabag” this comparison doesn’t quite work.

Both young, Irish women writing gripping prose with themes of love, queerness, class and modern life. At one level, they are of course similar. The comparisons between them are so frequent you’d be forgiven for thinking their books are the same. Search Naoise Dolan, and Sally Rooney’s name is mentioned almost as many times as hers. Image description: Naoise Dolan holding her book ‘Exciting times’

Exciting times naoise dolan ending