> I do wish he’d discussed more why Sally Rooney seems to be the exception, in terms of commercial success. What is it about her books that’s different? What did she do (or avoid doing) to appeal to a wide readership?

I suppose part of the reason is that the Irish have cultivated a strong literary culture.

[1] https://www.theguardian.com/books/article/2024/aug/20/we-all...

[2] https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jul/30/irish-...