Introduction
Published in March 2021, Exciting Times is the debut novel of Naoise Dolan, an Irish teacher. It was long-listed for the Woman’s Prize for Fiction in the year of it’s release, as readers fell in love with it’s concepts and Dolan’s ability to put the deepest fears into words.
A Summary
Naoise Dolan’s Exciting Times follows Ava, a young Irish woman who moves to Hong Kong in search of direction and distraction. She drifts into a complicated relationship with Julian, a wealthy British banker whose emotional distance mirrors her own, and later forms a very different connection with Edith, a sharp, principled lawyer who challenges Ava to confront what she actually wants. Through these relationships, the novel explores class, identity, sexuality, and insecurities. Dolan’s characters are flawed, observant, and painfully human, making the story feel intimate, incisive, and quietly devastating without overdoing it.
Writing Style
he book is written in Ava’s first‑person POV, which gives everything this slightly messy, brutally honest edge. You’re basically living inside her head. Every sharp observation, every awkward thought, every moment she refuses to admit what she actually feels. The story is split into three parts, and each one digs a little deeper into who she is and what she’s avoiding. Dolan’s writing is quick, witty, and very self-aware, but never in a try-hard way. It feels like listening to a friend overshare in the most compelling way possible.
What I Loved
It’s been awhile since I have read a book that was written like this. Full of small but insightful remarks, characters that were oddly comforting despite their present flaws and a semblance of feeling like you’re reading something you shouldn’t be. I was stunned when I found out that this was Naoise Dolan’s debut book, and also the only book she has written, because it was incredibly done, so she deserves all the praise! This is not a book where you consciously root for the main character. Ava is not made to be likeable, or to fit in; she is realistic in a gut-wrenchingly painful way and a way that we can all relate to in one way or another.
I really admired what they book had to say on politics, sexual orientation and how it approached Irish history (and the present) and the struggles the country faces. I don’t want to spoil too much but it gives a great perspective that I really appreciated.
I also loved the ending, which is something I won’t spoil, but throughout the book I had a lot of worries about the ending not feeling as if it fit with the rest of the story. However, it, in my opinion, ended perfectly. The entire novel forces you to delve into yourself and shine a light on the parts you don’t like, especially the parts of yourself that don’t feel good enough. The ending shows that the journey isn’t linear, and ultimately you make the decision of how much you deserve.
What I Didn’t Love
I, overall, don’t read a lot of contemporary fiction, and it was a struggle for me to delve into that mindset. Especially for the first 10-15 pages, which felt like I had read an entire novel in itself. There’s alot of information given and that can be difficult to remember if you aren’t used to dealing with contemporary fiction.
Recommendation
I 100% recommend if you are a contemporary reader, or if you are someone that often accepts less than they deserve. It discusses plenty of interesting topics that adults may enjoy. I wouldn’t recommend for those under 16, as it does discuss sex and mention it, but it isn’t a ‘spicy’ book by any means.
Songs
Songs that I find reminiscent of the book:
Treehouse by Alex G
Mr. Loverman by Ricky Montgomery
First Love/Late Spring by Mitski
Alien Blues by Vundaber
(P.S. We made them links so feel free to click on them and get teleported straight into the vibes.)
