So, I have a confession to make. I finished my first ever audiobook last week and it was the wonderful Olive by Emma Gannon. I’ve never reached for an audiobook, simply because I find it too hard to tear myself away from listening to music, but I was lured in by the narration of Sian Clifford (Claire from Fleabag) and now I can’t wait to get my next Audible credit!
Olive is a 30-something millennial who adores her job as a lifestyle columnist, is in a loving ten-year relationship and has a circle of super fun and loyal girls. She wishes things could stay exactly as they are, but when her friends start having babies, year after year, she begins to question why everyone around her is changing and, more importantly, why she’s not. Simply put, Olive does not want to have children.
This story begins with Olive, as a 21-year-old, hungover and lying in bed on the final day of her university experience. One by one the girls join her, crawling under the covers to laugh – but mostly cringe – at the antics of the night before. From Gannon’s description alone, you can smell the sambuca breath. You can imagine the eye rolls as they discuss that one persistent boy in the club; you can feel their pain as they walk around their student house, saying goodbye to each room. From the very start, everything about this story feels real.
Gannon’s writing perfectly fits into the millennial market. Each girl is crafted with their own identity, meaning the reader should definitely be able to relate to one of them. They’re funny, kind, rebellious, sweary and raw, and that’s what gives this book a voice.
As much as I was enjoying listening to the story, I did find myself wondering, at points, if I was listening at the wrong time in my life. There is so much baby talk, of which is not a personal priority, I was asking myself: is this going to be lost on me? But I’m still thinking about it a week later. This book has the power to challenge your own beliefs, to act as a catalyst for your thoughts and to shine a light on why we need to stop thinking there is a certain mould to life. If anything, I’m glad I’ve picked it up while I’m younger.
Going back to the audiobook experience, I found myself flying through it whenever I had a spare silent moment. I did, however, start to become annoyed by one of the characters. She felt quite repetitive and whiny; this could be totally intended and the way Clifford interpreted her, but I do wonder whether I would have had the same experience with the book. Either way, Gannon’s triumphant work has persuaded me.
- Katie S x
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