None of This is Serious - Catherine Prasifka

 

Very much a novel of our time, and probably relevant to a younger audience than this OAP, None of this is Serious, explores the life of Sophie, who is shedding her student mantle and hatching herself into the ‘real’ world. The need for some kind of job, somewhere to live and someone to love occupy her. Both her crutch, and paradoxically, her non crutch seems to be social media. Stylistically I was reminded of Sally Rooney, not just because the story is set in Dublin, I hasten to add, it’s more the narrative style, and the sense that it is a coming-of-age novel.

Everything is from Sophie‘s point of view, including a global incident that is quite unique and original, and I don’t want to divulge it as it will be a spoiler for those who might read this book, so you need to bring a measure of interpretation to events. But overall, the novel depicts quite accurately the dilemma of living in our digital age and how it impacts upon our lives, our self-image and self-esteem. In some ways it’s as if there are two Sophies - the social media, online Sophie and the ordinary life Sophie and the two don’t necessarily converge. Sadly I think this is frighteningly accurate of how a number of people live their lives today. 

At times I got frustrated with Sophie because she seems so lacking in animation and wanting to blame everybody else, and I think her friend Grace felt the same on occasions. But I worry that perhaps some of that is because I’m a lot older. I can only begin to imagine what it must be like as a young person in today’s world. I don’t envy them. Attitudes are perhaps more clearly defined today, even if they’re not appropriately dealt with. I’m thinking of the #MeToo movement and some male behaviours. I think the novel does perfectly illustrate how overwhelming the amount of information, attitudes and opinions on social media can be and the sense of bombardment that can occur. But overall, as a novel, it was a paradox, because it seemed very familiar and hackneyed in some places, but startlingly original in others.

I think it’s a kind of book to provoke many a discussion perhaps for book clubs. I think a lot of youngsters today will be able to relate to it very easily. Without it being too much of a cliche, I think it is a Gen Z  book but this old baby boomer certainly enjoyed reading it!

I read this book as part of a Canongate Books read along, and I’m grateful to them for my gifted copy.