I am not usually a romance novel kind of girl. However, yesterday, I was reading a few book blogs, and Rainbow Rowell's name was mentioned several times as one of the greatest new young adult authors. As I love young adult literature and was not about to miss out on what many claimed to be a great read, I went online and checked out this e-book from my public library digitally.
Once I started reading this book, I seriously could not stop! I stayed up much too late to see how the action played out. I have often struggled with finding books that I thoroughly enjoyed, and this book fit the bill as a refresher to my reading hobby. If you find yourself in a reading slump, the easy-to-read style of this book might be a great start on the path back to literary enjoyment!
I enjoyed this book for so many reasons! The book opens in the middle of the action, a tactic I've always enjoyed. I love how I am instantly transported into the world of a new character. Readers are pulled into the main character's life, and are given just enough information to keep wanting more!
Lincoln, the main character, is incredibly likable and relatable. We've all been at a point in our lives where we just can't seem to figure out what to do, and Lincoln clings to some of our deepest struggles while remaining personable. Lincoln is a guy in his late twenties who can't seem to move on from his college days. He lives at his mother's house, has obtained multiple degrees, hangs out with the same group of people he has for many years, and constantly reminisces about his high school sweetheart, Sam. As a college student myself, I am honestly worried that this will be me in a few years! I've been struggling recently with figuring out where I want to be, and I spent the entire novel hoping that Lincoln's problems would work out for the best, as a testament to my future post-college life!
Lincoln's honesty automatically gains him credibility as a narrator. His thoughts are thoroughly relayed to the reader, unedited. In my opinion, great writing comes from the reader's ability to picture a character and understand them as though they were present in the physical world. Rowell's description of Lincoln does this for readers. Also, Lincoln's character is also developed through the accounts of the other characters within the story, which deepened my affection.
Additionally, the writing style was extremely smooth and sequential, which allowed for the reader to connect with the characters as individuals while also becoming wrapped up in their lives. "Attachments" combines this smooth style with a unique dual perspective from which the reader learns new information. If you have a problem with reading parts of a novel in the style of an e-mail, this is not the book for you. This style did not bother me whatsoever, and the plot moved quickly enough that I hardly noticed the style choice by the end.
I would highly suggest this book to lovers of any genre, as Rowell's simplistic yet profound themes are a joy to experience. I already have placed "Fangirl" on reserve, and I can't wait to dive into another Rowell read.
