Book Review: Attachment by Rainbow Rowell

Rainbow Rowell has officially shot up into my top three authors-I-aspire-to-be list (In case anyobody wondering, JK Rowling still holds a tight rein to her number one spot in my list).

I've been liking Rainbow Rowell's writing style for quite some time now - most of her story revolves around moments in daily life that might seem mundane and light at times, but she has this ability to put extra layer of feeling under everyday moments that makes every element of her story feels earnest. I first heard of Rowell from Outside Seoul's tumblr, in which she often raves about one of Rowell's book, 'Eleanor and Park'. Intrigued, I decided to head to one of the local bookstore nearby to buy the book and found out that the book was totally worth the rave. Admittedly, it's not a book that I totally fall head over heels in love, but 'Eleanor and Park' is something that I'd definitely recommend to my fellow book lovers. The book, which tells an adorable love story between two teenagers who often feels left out by their surrounding world, is refreshingly witty and surprisingly touching. Rowell gave me such a great impression that I had absolutely no doubt on buying her next book: 'Fangirl'. 

I talked briefly about this book on my previous blog post, but 'Fangirl' further cements Rainbow Rowell's position in my heart. The best thing about Fangirl, of course, is the introverted lead heroine, which reminds me so much about myself (to the point that I thought Rowell was writing about me although, of course, we live halfway across the world and she definitely does not know that I exist). Bottom line is, Rainbow Rowell has become the name that I certainly look for in the bookstore. And last Sunday, I found her debut book in my local bookstore: Attachment. Surprisingly, this book changes my whole opinion about Rainbow Rowell. I no longer like her; I LOVE her. My love for her has exponentially grown in a drastic speed. 

Why? 

Because this book is about MY LIFE.

Okay, let me start this from the beginning. 

Attachment is another cute story about Lincoln O'Neill who works as an Internet Security Officer at some newspaper. As an internet security officer, his main job responsibility entails reading other people's emails, giving notifications and writing reports for every time he discover signs of inappropriate use of office e-mails (e.g pornography or gambling). One day, Lincoln comes across email conversation between Beth and Jennifer who uses their office e-mail account for personal messages. For some odd reason, Lincoln  enjoys reading the girls' online conversation with each other and failed to bring himself to carry out his true work responsibility - which to give formal notification to both girls about their inappropriate use of office emails.  Lincoln then finds himself falling for the smart and funny Beth, without even knowing what she looks like in real life. Moreover, there's no denying the fact that he's been invading the privacy of his one true love like a creep. What should he do?

Attachment, like Eleanor and Park and Fangirl, is sweet and fun at the same time. I'm always amazed by the way Rowell delivers her story by adding meaning into fleeting, little moment in life. There's nothing dramatic or mind blowing in the way she tells her story (what's dramatic about going night shift at work or eating your dinner together with your older workmate who works with the vending machine?) but I guess that's why her story feels painfully relatable - you know it happens with real people in real life. In particular, I relate so much to Lincoln's predicament about his job as an internet security officer - he hates it for many reasons but somehow, he couldn't bring himself to hand his resignation. Because you know, he needs the money. 

And one of the reason why he hates the job? Because he literally has nothing to do at work (beside reading emails) while on the other hand, he has multiple Master Degrees.

Excuse me, Mrs. Rowell. Do you know me, by any chance? Because Lincoln is me. 

"It's just that getting paid to do nothing is a constant reminder that I'm doing nothing," Lincoln said. "And doing nothing takes more energy than you'd think. I'm tired all the time" (Attachment, p.28)

*sobbing* (source: Wifflegif)

Other than the fact that Lincoln is basically me in a nutshell, another thing that I love about Attachment is the main conflict discussed in the book. Since most of the characters are people in their late twenties (it hurts for me to admit that both Beth and Lincoln are 28 years old in the book, while I'm two years older than them. Goddangit), their main concern in life hits (way) too close to home. Lincoln's concerns about  finding purpose in his seemingly empty life and Beth's concern about her relationship's future that appears to go nowhere, while everybody in her world are happily married are basically two of my biggest concerns in life at the moment. This is exactly why reading this book hurts me so much - it just hurts reading your current state of anxiety and unease being articulated so clear for the world to see. 

"I think I missed my window," he said. 

"What window?" 

"My get-a-life window. I think I was supposed to figure all this stuff out somewhere between twenty two and twenty six, and now it's too late" (Attachment, p. 82) 

 ***

There wasn't anything that Lincoln wanted that he couldn't afford. What did he really want, anyway? To buy new books when they came out in hardback.To not have to think about how much money was in his wallet when he was ordering dinner. Maybe new sneakers... And there wasn't anything he wanted to do that he couldn't make time for. What did he have to mope about, really? What more did he want? 

Love, he could hear Eve saying. Purpose. 

Love. Purpose. Those are the things you can't plan for. Those are the things that just happen. And what if they don't happen? Do you spend your whole life pining for them? Waiting to be happy? (Attachment, p. 87) 

*still sobbing* (source: gifcentral)

Shit. Even rewriting the above quotes hurts. Gah.

In short, if you're looking for something romantic, funny and engaging to read, Attachment is something that I'd highly recommend for you to read. And if you're anything like me (single, late twenty and restless in life), you might find this book gives you an extra painful twinge in the heart because this is one book that gets you. This is one of the books that turns you into a masochist - it hurts so good that you can't help to go back and read your favorite parts of the book and being hurt all over again. But this is also one of those book that gets you back to hoping for your happy ending again - regardless how far-fetched it might seem.

I love you, Rainbow Rowell. 
 

Cheers! 

Si Mbak.