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After we get past our overwhelming excitement and fear of opening our advance reader copy of Sally Rooney\u2019s much anticipated new novel, Beautiful World, Where Are You, we dive into this introductory, spoiler-free, hype episode to discuss the first three chapters. We\u2019re recapping this book so join us along the way!\n** We start at the beginning, with Alice and Felix (who we may or may not have nicknamed \u201cAlix\u201d), and discuss that awkward and unexpected first date, which has us pondering the classic Sally Rooney \u201cwill they or won\u2019t they\u201d chemistry. (06:30)\n** Let\u2019s talk about the emails. The email correspondence between Alice and Eileen is a place for the characters to go deep and allow the reader to get into their heads. It reminds us of another set of friends we both know who love to send emails (cough, cough...US!). (13:38)\xa0\n** We meet Eileen and Simon and start feeling Marianne and Connell vibes in terms of having a long-held connection, but also being plagued by miscommunication and not saying what you mean! (19:01)\n** The female friendship between Alice and Eileen is a real standout aspect in these first few chapters. It is an intellectual relationship according to Rooney and we unpack what that might mean. Their relationship is not romantic, nor frivolous or convenient. Rather, it is intimate, intense and complicated. And it lacks a \u201ccontainer\u201d -- just the way Carinn and Kate think of their friendship. (28:20)\n** We geek out on the narrative distance and unique structure of this novel and the effect it has on the reader. Sally Rooney continues to break rules and push boundaries in ways we\u2019ve never seen before. (36:48)\n** Carinn\u2019s mind is blown by a quote from Sally Rooney about the desire to be the best, but also continue to evolve (are they irreconcilable drives?) (48:48)\nFollow us on Instagram and Facebook @popfictionwomen and on Twitter @pop_women. To do a full deep dive, check out our website at www.popfictionwomen.com. Stay Complicated!\nSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices