TOPICS OF CONVERSATION by Miranda Popkey is one of those books that even before published got significant attention. It has been put on many of “books to watch for in 2020” or “the best books of 2020” lists. That was one of the reasons why I’ve opted for this debut novel, the other was that one magazine mentioned how TOPICS OF CONVERSATION are going to be a hit with readers who love Sally Rooney. I am, definitely, one of those readers who have tremendously enjoyed reading Rooney’s NORMAL PEOPLE. However, I do not share my enthusiasm with the author of that article. Popkey was not a hit for me.
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION is a book told through narration of one nameless woman. The plot threads through course of 17 years. But actually, the main focus is on the conversations. There are 10 of them altogether, all different in their styles, lengths, and topics. The conversations are, in most cases, between two women. One is our nameless narrator and the other is ether her friend, mother, or a casual acquaintance. Through these conversation Popkey raises issues of love, different kinds of relationships, marriage, rape fantasies, passion, abuse, choices, motherhood, art, etc. Some of these conversations are mind-blowing, some not so much. The chapters are connected by means of little windows that provide reader with view into narrator’s life. If there were none of this view, TOPICS OF CONVERSATION would be just a collection of short stories.
As I already mentioned - I was not that impressed by TOPICS OF CONVERSATION. The writing was more within stream of consciousness frame, than in the form of conversation; where narrator’s thoughts interfere with the conversational stream. Thus, following the essence of the conversation was often difficult. Furthermore, the narrator’s life was presented only in brief snippets, which combined created a full frame film of her life from her early 20s to her late 30s. But it might be that I did not get to understand her motivations, ambitions, and in the end - I stop caring for her, maybe because in a way she has stopped caring about herself.
After reading many praises of this novel I cannot but wonder - did I miss something. Also, I could not help wonder what was authors intentions with this novel i.e. what was the main point of all this. I find main character presented in very stereotypical way, that is so common in the literature. As a woman I can empathize with her and her struggles, but on the other hand I cannot empathize with her somewhat dumb decisions, very frequent intoxication, and passive behaviour. I do not judge her, I just do not agree with her.
Regardless of my lack of enthusiasm, TOPICS OF CONVERSATION open many controversial and important issues for women. It raises the issues of women’s wishes, desires, and ambitions. It also displays the consequences of broken dreams and roads not taken. It portrays lives of women that are deprived of glamour, and very ordinary. All in all, it is an interesting read.