Horror's Greatest Hits
Phoebe asked this question about Conversations with Friends:
Did Nick have any compelling quality other than being handsome? Why did we keep hearing how funny Bobbi was, yet the book is devoid of humor? Did anyone else think Melissa got a really bum rap?
Cari Nick is often described as handsome but what we see through his interactions with other characters is that he is a considerate, caring and sensitive p…moreNick is often described as handsome but what we see through his interactions with other characters is that he is a considerate, caring and sensitive person who is used to put others needs above his own. While he is moderately famous, he is down to Earth. He knows others consider him attractive but is not vain or conceited. On the contrary, he has a very low self-esteem and suffers from chronic depression.
While everyone is deeply flawed in this story, to me Melissa takes the prize of the most callous. The story opens with her bringing home two pretty, young girls because she is clearly attracted to one of them, Bobbi. She keeps inviting the girls over and openly flirting with Bobbi until eventually Bobbi doesn´t sleep in her bed one night. If she seems so casual about it it's because, as the story confirms later on, she is used to having affairs. The latest and longest was with Nick's good friend.... while Nick was hospitalized! By the time Melissa admits she didn't think that her attractive husband was worthy of anyone's attention, this is old news. Through her actions and through what Bobbi says Melissa has told her, we already know Melissa does not have a high opinion of Nick. To seduce Bobbi, Melissa would complain constantly about her unhappy marriage. Then she changed her tune when she realized Nick was in love with someone else. While Melissa should be the one the reader sympathizes with, her cruelty and manipulative ways make it hard to. (less)
flag
More questions about Conversations with Friends…
Image for Conversations with Friends
Conversations with Friends
by Sally Rooney (Goodreads Author)
Rate this book
Clear rating
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more