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Snowflake
Snowflake: The most eagerly anticipated debut of 2021 | Louise Nealon
12 posts | 16 read | 7 to read
A NOVEL FOR A GENERATION 'Wonderful' Roddy Doyle 'GAS and beautiful and truthful and touching' Marian Keyes, author of Grown Ups 'A novel for anyone who's ever felt lost in the world' John Boyne, author of The Heart's Invisible Furies 'Tender, laugh-out-loud funny, and deeply moving' Louise O'Neill, author of After the Silence 'Astonishing' Stacey Halls, author of The Familiars Eighteen-year-old Debbie White lives on a dairy farm with her mother, Maeve, and her uncle, Billy. Billy sleeps out in a caravan in the garden with a bottle of whiskey and the stars overhead for company. Maeve spends her days recording her dreams, which she believes to be prophecies. This world is Debbie's normal, but she is about to step into life as a student at Trinity College in Dublin. As she navigates between sophisticated new friends and the family bubble, things begin to unravel. Maeve's eccentricity tilts into something darker, while Billy's drinking gets worse. Debbie struggles to cope with the weirdest, most difficult parts of herself, her family and her small life. But the fierce love of the White family is never in doubt, and Debbie discovers that even the oddest of families are places of safety. A startling, honest, laugh and cry novel about growing up and leaving home, only to find that you've taken it with you, Snowflake is a novel for a generation, and for everyone who's taken those first, terrifying steps towards adulthood.
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lazydaizee
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Anna40
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Debbie starts her first year at college in Dublin&commutes so that she can continue to help on her family‘s farm where she lives with her mother&her alcoholic uncle.She struggles with insecurities&anxiety but soon makes a friend. I enjoyed reading this novel & think I‘d have loved it when I was younger.It‘s a relatable portrayal of a young woman transitioning into adulthood,delightfully written & despite its heavy themes has some light moments.

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JillR
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Another one that hadn‘t been tempting me to pick it up (can you tell I‘m having an end of year clear out?!) As it turns out this was an amusing and also sad coming of age story; as Debbie tries to find her place at Trinity College Dublin, commuting from her family dairy farm, and figuring out who she is. It gently explores mental health issues experienced by her and her mam. Will watch out for more by this author.

TrishB Glad you enjoyed 👍🏻 3mo
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Gissy
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First time I heard this expression of “snowflake”. Debbie is in the process to start college in Dublin and she comes from a farm village. She travels every day because can‘t afford to stay in the city “commute girl” that‘s how they call her. This is about her process to adapt to this new life, to discover herself and understand better her family. There are some triggers in this novel, family mental illness, bipolar disorder, depression⬇️

Gissy (Cont.) suicide attempts, alcoholism. There are some sad parts here. But there is hope at the end. Debbie has so many personal situations maybe because that‘s how she learned to cope.

It is a slow character driven novel. I love the audiobook with the Irish accent, Interesting to see these differences between the life in the city and in the country. There are so many beautiful phrases and expressions. 4/4.5⭐️
12mo
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Clwojick Such a pretty cover! ❤️ 12mo
TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 12mo
DieAReader ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 12mo
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TrishB
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I really enjoyed this, deals with many difficult themes but still manages to be upbeat, make you smile and appreciate love between family and friends.
Who couldn‘t love a book that says ‘too tired and hungry to cook, so had cereal and crisp butties.‘ These are a staple food source in our house 😊
#booked2022 #weatherinthetitle

squirrelbrain Ooh, I thought from the title that this might be annoying. Stacked now though. 1y
Cinfhen This book sounds lovely ☺️ like a warm hug 🤗 you‘re getting closer!!!! 1y
TrishB @squirrelbrain I thought it might be because it was compared to Sally Rooney! (Sorry all fans!) 1y
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TrishB @Cinfhen there are some really sad it‘s too but I won‘t give anything else away! Yes, 2 more to go! 1y
MicheleinPhilly I bought this ages ago. Now I may actually read it! ☺️ 1y
TrishB @MicheleinPhilly it‘s a good, quick read! 1y
Centique Ha! In my house that would be fish finger wraps when I‘ve completely given up 😋God I loved a chip butty though, back in the days when Mum made deep fried chips and we always had fresh white bread 1y
TrishB @Centique both of those sound wonderful 😁 I don‘t eat fish now but a fish finger buttie was always a treat when younger. 1y
JillR I‘ve had this book lingering for ages. I‘m trying to have clear out (read out?) but wasn‘t sure about it (it was a random buy by my husband from the charity shop). Very pleased to have stumbled across your review and to see you liked it, I‘ll stop procrastinating and get it started! 3mo
TrishB @JillR I think you‘ll like it 🤞🏻 3mo
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TrishB
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#weeklyforecast
Currently reading Snowflake.
All 3 will complete my #booked2022. Let‘s see how it goes.

BarbaraBB I‘m working on finishing my challenges too. (edited) 1y
TrishB @BarbaraBB I only do this one! 1y
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TrishB @Cinfhen it‘s for the weather prompt! I found it on my kindle but I don‘t think I brought it, must have been J as we share kindle libraries. It‘s ok so far. (edited) 1y
Cinfhen Great choice for weather prompt!!!How‘s J‘s apartment??? 1y
TrishB He‘s legally settled in there now! Been stressful and not what you‘d ask for. Hopefully all in the past now 🤞🏻🤞🏻 1y
Megabooks I love that cover on Snowflake! 1y
TrishB @Megabooks yes I love the minimalism! 1y
67 likes8 comments
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emmaturi
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This was a good read, very moving, funny and sad. Set in Ireland, Debbie start uni in Dublin and her life changes with new sets of friends and trying to cope with family issues.

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emmaturi
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I am nearly finished and it's been a good read so far.

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Vansa
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#June21 #12booksin2021
1.The White Guard is spectacular historical fiction,Ukraine post Russian Revolution,through the ideas of a White Russian family.
2Snowflake is the book Sally Rooney wishes she could write.https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4073786004
3.Jill Lepore on a pioneering analytics firm..in the 60s.Plus ca change and so on.https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4412956267
4.https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4038797653

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BekaReid
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Louise Nealon's debut novel, Snowflake, is a coming of age story filled with the dysfunction of family & generational trauma. As such it deals with serious subject material and yet manages to be very human with the right balance of humor sprinkled throughout. This novel is raw and real. One of the themes/takeaways that stood out to me: Perfection doesn't exist. It's a myth that traps and suffocates.

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KarenUK
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(Catching up on Oct reviews)
Wow! What a beautiful debut. Lovely writing and the characters stole my heart. This tender, coming-of-age novel, captures the story of a young Irish woman as she navigates the changes from her rural life to college in the big city. Her dream-obsessed mother and larger-than-life Uncle Billy complete her small family, full of fierce love and experiences of trauma. My love affair with young Irish female authors continues!

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