This novel is an interesting expiration of the transition from childhood to adulthood. The main character, Debbie, comes from a rural town, living on a dairy farm with her mom and her uncle. Debbie is accepted into Trinity College in Dublin, entering an urban world much different from where she came from. The novel explores how this new stage both expands and constricts Debbie’s world, her relationship with her family, and her relationship with where she is from. This was an impactful story of one woman entering early adulthood. Highly recommended!

I loved everything about "Snowflake." Nealon's cast of characters are believable and complicated and likable, even in their faults. I loved the blend of realism in Debbie's experience coming of age and starting university and the mysticism in Debbie and her mother's dreams. Nealon also does an excellent job tackling a range of issues - from grief and loss to mental health and coming of age - in original ways, without being trite or overworked. This was one of those rare books for me that ended too soon!

Looking forward to reading whatever Nealon comes out with next!

Thank you to NetGalley for access to Louise Nealon's debut coming out in Sept, Snowflake. This book tackles complex issues with mental health and relationships with care, respect, and practical representation. I really appreciate and respect a writer who is able to generate insight and sympathy for fictional characters who clearly could be anyone we might know, have known, or will know; talking about mental health in this way helps reduce stigma and provides a space for readers to learn/unlearn about mental health.

There are parallels with Sally Rooney indeed in terms of the focus on inclusion, young adults in times of transition (Deb ,the protagonist, is questioning her mental health, her mother's health, and entering a complex time as she moves to college). It is honest in how it shows young people struggling to understand who they are separate from their childhood, family, and trying to understand their pace and place in the world unfolding around them.

At times the character is hard to like but this feels real too and honest and part of the writing and intentional plot development; young adults (and all adults) are often their own worst enemies and must learn, and be open to learning, from experience and from the help of those who genuinely care for them. Snowflake deftly illustrates these experiences and I think will be a most welcome book for those who like Normal People and books similar to Sally Rooney.

In this coming of age debut novel from Louise Nealon we meet Debbie, who grew up on a farm with a mother whose life is consumed by dreams and a wise uncle who drinks himself into oblivion in a decrepit trailer. Nevertheless, Debbie gets herself into the prestigious Trinity College in Dublin and is confronted with people, places and ideas she has never encountered before. She comes to understand that her upbringing does have its value, as do the people she had once been ashamed of.

Nealon’s character development is superb and she has a clear-eyed understanding of mental illness, including its insights into the human condition. Snowflake is raw and challenging and empathetic…to a point. Debbie’s new friend Xanthe sees herself as a troubled, depressed young woman, while an exasperated Debbie eventually lets her know she is little more than a spoiled, privileged narcissist. Debbie herself has to do some soul-searching with the help of her piano teacher turned therapist and tear down the walls she has erected around herself.

While there are sections of the novel that could have been more thoroughly developed, and a disarmingly abrupt ending, Snowflake is an introduction to a very promising young author. It is well worth the read.

Thank you to Harper and NetGalley for the eARC.

Honestly this is a beautifully written story. It features flawed characters with a skewed, naive view of the world that felt authentic and laid it all out bare. I found myself laughing at how silly Deb the MC was but also frustrated by the way she stifled herself. She was her own biggest obstacle. I loved how the characters around her not only highlighted her strengths and blind spots but were also fleshed out and helped move the story. We saw the painful parts of struggling with mental health (grief, depression, death and attempted suicide) from those who tackled it head on to others who avoided it and and the consequences of both actions. This was a realistic look at grasping and understanding life and your place in it. I really enjoyed this book and found myself unable to stop reading. I will definitely be getting this one when it’s released.

I was very interested in reading this book after hearing some peers compare it to Sally Rooney's Normal People. While I don't think it's quite at the same level, I enjoyed it and do see some similarities. The first half of the book I found to be more interesting than the second half. I don't know that I was totally on board with the direction the story went or the climax. Overall I enjoyed it. (3.5/5)

This book is a perfect example of why I cherish Irish fiction. The characters feel like they’re standing in the room with me, the language dances and takes the reader to a new world, and the story offers a sense of the liminal.. The book tells of Deb’s life on a dairy farm in Maynooth and her growing up with her uncle and single mother, both of whom are brilliant and experience another world in their dreams. Mam embraces them and has bouts of madness, Billy is terrified of them and fights and denies them, fearing that Deb may end up on her mother’s path. Most of the story takes place after Deb starts attending Trinity and reminds me in some ways of Sally Rooney’s Normal People... however Snowflake is firmly its own individual “self”. Deb’s navigation between a secure childhood and the difficulties of entering adulthood will probably resonate with most readers. I don’t want to spoil a wonderful book for readers by saying any more. Except that I hope Louise Nealon is well into the writing of Book Two.

A stunning debut. Reminded me very much of Sally Rooney, whose work I adore. A dazzling new addition to contemporary Irish literature.