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emmak788's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Sexual content
ryan24watson's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Sally Rooney wonderfully crafted two lead characters that hard to love, but even harder to not fall in love with. The #1 theme in this book is poor communication and jumping to conclusions, and though constant throughout the novel, it's kept fresh in ways that allows each situation to avoid feeling repetitive. I love the realistic role reversals as well - the well-liked high school student becoming the outcast and vice versa. Two fully fledged out, independent protagonists embody a realistic picture of young loving relationships between people who cannot seem to figure out how to properly express how they feel nor how to actively listen to their partner without making assumptions about their intentions.
The only reason I can't give Normal People a 5 star review is the graphic descriptions of the sex scenes. I typically lean toward more lyrical, less vulgar descriptions of sex in books. The main reason being, it's the only thing that would prevent me from putting a copy of this story into the hands of every young person I know. This reignited my passion for reading. Thank you queen Sally Rooney.
The only reason I can't give Normal People a 5 star review is the graphic descriptions of the sex scenes. I typically lean toward more lyrical, less vulgar descriptions of sex in books. The main reason being, it's the only thing that would prevent me from putting a copy of this story into the hands of every young person I know. This reignited my passion for reading. Thank you queen Sally Rooney.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
feodora's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Sexual harassment
annasph's review against another edition
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Really really good book that I finished faster than anything I tried to read in the past 5 years which have been a reading slump. I could not identify myself in the least bit with either character but it was a really good insight into other people? I cannot stress how much I loathed some of the things both of them (but particularly Marianne) thought and said, not from a moral highground (at least I hope so), but more of a really really exhausted spectators perspective. What made me really uncomfortable was Mariannes constant need to submit herself to the men she has sex with. I can see how it is part of her characterization in the book, but I would have appreaciated a trigger warning these parts made me want to hurl my guts out. Again this does not make it bad, it is very very well written just very heavy material.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Bullying, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcohol
kaylahcc's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Mental illness
Moderate: Bullying, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
Minor: Suicide
semporina's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Would only listen bc of the lack of quotation marks in the book. I actually liked normal people more
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Infidelity, Police brutality, Grief, Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Mental illness
_meganrose's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
I can see why this book can be so polarizing for people. It gave me a similar feel to ‘One Day’ and ‘Alone With You In The Ether,’ which are two of my favorites. It had the potential to be right up there with them, but just fell slightly short. This was very emotional and humanizing. The complexity of the characters and their dynamic had me hooked. My only two major critiques are: 1. I wish there were quotations around the dialogue - it was confusing sometimes and 2. the final chapter was a let down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse
Moderate: Blood, Violence, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
Minor: War and Cancer
lyeve's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Normal People portrays very well how two people's lives can sometimes intertwine. Marianne and Connell have a messy relationship, with fights and breakups, but they always find eachother back. As friends or partners, or something in between.
The messiness feels real; somehow I didn't want to scream at them to talk it out like I usually do with romance books. I just understood. It was refreshing to see a young adult romance feel so realistic.
This books tackles with darker subjects and sexuality pretty well; none of them are the point of the book, but they are present and can be messy. May I even say...like in a normal person's life
Overall the book was a fast read and grasped my attention more than I thought. While it was not a fantastic read and the prose was not remarkable to me, I definitely appreciated the freshness of it.
The messiness feels real; somehow I didn't want to scream at them to talk it out like I usually do with romance books. I just understood. It was refreshing to see a young adult romance feel so realistic.
This books tackles with darker subjects and sexuality pretty well; none of them are the point of the book, but they are present and can be messy. May I even say...like in a normal person's life
Overall the book was a fast read and grasped my attention more than I thought. While it was not a fantastic read and the prose was not remarkable to me, I definitely appreciated the freshness of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Mental illness
Minor: Eating disorder
chantelsorae's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Violence
Minor: Blood
arxchiell's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual content and Sexual harassment