Book Review 5: The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue
Caroline O'Donoghue: The Rachel Incident Genres: Contemporary, Literary Fiction, Coming of Age, Drama, LGBTQIA+ Literature, Irish Literature Reading Level: Adult Setting: 2009-2010, Cork, Ireland Published: 2023 Page Count: 289 (Paperback) Content Warnings: Infidelity, Abortion, Miscarriage Rating: ★★★★⭑ (4.25 out of 5) The Rachel Incident is largely more of a no-plot, coming-of-age, vibes-only story than the type of novel that follows a stringent plot. Not to say that there isn’t any plot at all, as it does follow the progression of an affair between James and his roommate Rachel’s closeted, married professor Dr. Byrne, as well as the progression of Rachel’s sometimes turbulent relationship with her boyfriend Carey. That being said, the story is very character-driven. It focuses so much more on the emotions that the plot creates for the main characters and on their development as young, broke college students navigating love, life, sexuality, and a future during the recession in ...