The Country Girls
Edna O'Brien
1960
Around 225 pages
I have failed to properly welcome in the 1960s, so I'll do it now: we made it to the 1960s! I'm excited to welcome in a new era, all this World War II and immediate post war literature was hard on the soul. Although I am sure there is plenty of depressing content ahead. Please don't take that as a challenge, Powers That Be.
Kate Brady and Bridget Brennan are two country mice from Dublin who have been friends since childhood. They both want to find love in the big city, which sounds like the premise of a 90s sitcom. They are interesting frenemies, and even though their adventures are tame by today's standards, this was still publicly burned by a priest, which obviously makes me like it more.
This is O'Brien's debut novel, and she managed to finish it in three weeks. It does end rather abruptly, but this novel is part of a series, so it makes sense that there is no satisfying conclusion. Not the most memorable or entertaining of novels, but I'm intrigued by her style and eager to see her hone her voice as an author.
RATING: ***--
Interesting Facts:
Banned by the Irish censorship board.
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