Irish Author Sally Rooney's Novel CONVERSATION with FRIENDS

Sally Rooney's (b. Ireland 1991) debut novel CONVERSATIONS with FRIENDS ('17) is a shrewd, psychological assessment of power struggles amongst sophisticated, intellectuals.  The contemporary novel set in Dublin is apprised by Francis, a college co-ed whose passions include poetry, writing and defiant repartee.  Francis' compulsions include her roommate Bobbi, her steadfast friend & former lesbian lover and her attachment to Nick, an older, handsome married man.  Rooney's follow-up novel NORMAL PEOPLE ('18) garnered critical acclaim.  NORMAL PEOPLE was listed for the Man Booker Award and named Ireland's Novel of the Year (18).  The overriding similar meme is control; maintaining the upper hand within a relationship.  Both Francis & Bobbi are intellectuals whose sport is sparring loquaciously & precociously amongst friends.  Francis is from an impoverished home with an alcoholic father.  Bobbi's hales from a posh, wealthy household.  The balance of power often shifts with affluence and shaped by sexual dominance.  Francis, an inspiring poet/writer sells a story whose heroine mirrors both herself & Bobbi. Francis admits "No one who knew us could fail to see Bobbi in the story....It emphasized the domineering aspect of Bobbi's personality and of my own, because the story was about personal domination."  This synopsis by Francis of the story written within the story is essentially the ballistic dynamics between the two women & Francis' oscillating power struggles with others & within herself.  Much of the dialogue & construed relationships are caustic & cryptic.  Other times, Francis leaves no doubt her desire for sovereignty over Nick.  She tells Nick "I would miss dominating you in conversation."  Francis craves the adrenaline of Nick's abject affection, "He really wanted to be kissed, and I felt a rush of my own power over him."  Melissa, Nick's wife, interprets her husband's "pathologically submissive" behaviors.  Melissa confronts Francis about the affair & tells her "He {Nick} told me he thought helplessness was often a way of exercising power."  Nick seems the most submissive & at times appears most sensible.  Francis felt in "complete control" over Nick.  Yet, she admits "He thought it was healthy for us to try and correct the power disparity, though he didn't think we would ever be able to do it completely."  Conversations spiral in spurts with alacrity.  Rooney's clever writing enlivens the credo there's always 1 person in a relationship who loves more, cares more, gets hurt more & forgives more.  Rooney's illuminating work shades relationships with nuance and apoplectic energy.