‘Darcy thought about it and understood that each complication in her life had merged into one gargantuan mess. Her flawed judgement of character towered over other ramblings in her mind, but each self-inflicted complication had its own calling bell, ready to summon at will.’
– Want
[ About Want ]
In the heat of a summer break in Dublin, Darcy, a university student in her final year, navigates a world steeped in the complexities of woke culture. As her peers immerse themselves in the fervour of social justice and activism, Darcy grapples with the pressure to conform, feeling like an outsider in her own life.
Behind closed doors, Darcy bears the weight of a secret world. She is the silent guardian of her grandmother, a woman lost to the clutches of dementia. In the shadows of her responsibilities, Darcy conceals the haunting tragedy of losing her parents in a devastating accident, shielding herself from the pitying glances of her friends.
Amidst the societal expectations and her hidden burdens, Darcy seeks solace in the embrace of someone unexpected during moments of vulnerability. However, the truth remains elusive as she wrestles with the intricacies of her own desires, morals and confusion.
At the heart of Darcy’s journey is Jessica, an ex-lover whose presence looms large, a constant reminder of the crux moments that shaped her past. Their tangled history serves as a mirror reflecting Darcy’s inner struggles, forcing her to confront the layers of deception she has woven to protect herself.
In a world where authenticity is both a shield and a vulnerability, Darcy must navigate the delicate balance between the person she presents to the world and the one she discovers within herself. Will she find the courage to strip away the veils shrouding her true reflections?
[ My Review ]
Want by Paula Guildea publishes today February 29th with Vanguard Press (Pegasus Elliot MacKenzie Publishers Ltd Imprint) and is described as ‘a poignant exploration of identity, loss, and the ever-evolving landscape of woke culture’.
To say I was blown away by this tremendous debut would be an understatement. If you liked Normal People by Sally Rooney, then I can guarantee you that you will get completely lost in Want. Paula Guildea highlights the student conundrum of life choices and coming-of-age, while also taking it to a whole new level. Set in academia in a university in Dublin, Want immerses the reader directly into the life and tribulations of Darcy, a final year student with quite a lot on her plate. Darcy hangs out with a cool bunch of students, who all have definite opinions on gender issues, activism and justice in society, but Darcy’s thoughts are more complex and confused.
Darcy has had an incredibly tough few years. Her parents tragically lost their lives in a freak accident, leaving Darcy under the care of her grandmother. Now, in her senior years, her grandmother’s senility is getting worse, requiring more care than Darcy can offer. Studying for her finals, working part-time in a chocolate shop and lost in the fall-out of a tumultuous relationship, has left Darcy floundering and very unsure of her place in the world. Her friend group all seem so sure of who they are, who they love and who they want to be, but Darcy is lost. Darcy has kept her personal story a secret from her friends, as she wants to fit in and not be labelled in any way but she is struggling. She loves her grandmother and is very conscious of the debt she owes her but Darcy is also young and needs to make choices for herself that will help her navigate society and her life.
Darcy’s relationship with Jessica has left her reeling following their messy breakup. Lost and alone she receives the comfort she desires from an unlikely source but her decisions cause fractures within her existing friend group. Torn between what she wants to do versus what she thinks she should do causes Darcy much frustration and pain. Society and her friends want her to conform and take sides but Darcy’s life is more complicated, adding to her anxiety and turmoil.
Darcy’s story is perhaps one of the most beautifully written coming-of-age novels I have ever read. Paula Gildea has a turn of phrase and a use of prose that is complex, affecting and quite intense, all stunningly capturing a time and place. I was truly mesmerised and completely consumed by this debut. Conformity among your peers is important to every young adult but sometimes you have to have the courage and the strength of character to swerve a little off the expected route and paddle your own canoe, so to speak. In a society where sensitivity, political correctness, morality and inclusivity across culture, gender, colour and creed is something to adhere to, it can often be very bewildering for many of us, of all ages, to navigate, as we constantly feel like we are walking on eggshells, for fear of offense. Paula Guildea has succinctly highlighted this world through the eyes of a young woman trying to come to terms with her sexuality and her societal beliefs.
Want is a powerful novel, a dynamic read that really affected me. A challenging debut, Want is a book that I highly recommend to all looking for an exceptional and captivating experience. An easy 5-Stars!!
** I would like to thank Paula Guildea and Vanguard Press for an advance copy of Want, in exchange for my, as always honest review
[ Bio ]
Paula Guildea lives in County Dublin, Ireland. she teaches Esol and creative writing, and spends time with family. Paula has a BA Degree in English literature, a Higher Diploma in further education and a MA in creative writing.
Instagram ~ https://www.instagram.com/writer_poet_13/
