Alexandra Florence Books: Completely Beside Myself | We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves Review

This is the story of Rosemary Cooke, a once vivacious and outgoing child, now socially awkward surrounded by the silence of forgetting. Rosie has two siblings, Lowell wanted by the FBI, and Fern who disappeared when Rosie was five. In We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves we follow Rosie’s journey as she uncovers why both her siblings disappeared.

The book begins in the 90s with Rosie at college, the middle of Rosie’s story. Rosie has no idea what to do with her life, and doesn’t tell anyone about herself. Then Rosie meets Harlow and begins to come out of her shell. We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves does not have a linear narrative. The book begins in the middle of Rosie’s story, and constantly switches between the beginning, middle and end. This choppy narrative style really held my attention, I really enjoy a novel that does not follow normal narrative convention, and We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves definitely fits the bill.

Within the novel there is an air of mystery surrounding Fern, Rosie can’t remember why she disappeared. It is not until her brother returns after a decade of no contact that her memories begin to return.

We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves is a very thought-provoking read. Karen Joy Fowler has created an excellent narrator in Rosie. The story is funny and wise, with the constant psychology references and theories adding depth and interest to the phenomenal narrative.

It’s hard to review this book without including spoilers, but I highly recommend that you read it to find out what the ‘big reveal’ is. The book is an outstanding example of literature. I can completely understand why it is nominated for the Man Booker Prize 2014. What do you think of this book? Do you agree with all the praise it's been receiving. Let me know in the comments. If you're a new visitor I'd love you to follow me on Bloglovin' too!