Reviews with content warning for Physical abuse - Normal People

Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

Normal People by Sally Rooney, Rini Nurul Badariah

1328 reviews

hello_divine's review against another edition

reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I struggled to understand the hype surrounding this book. The main characters are frustratingly passive and lack communication skills, which makes it hard to empathise with them. Rooney’s detached, almost apathetic writing style further distances the reader from a story that ultimately lacks depth. There were numerous opportunities to explore the complex themes of class, power dynamics, abuse, and mental illness, but these were left largely underdeveloped. Instead, the excessive focus on sex overshadowed any real examination of their relationship or personal growth. If this story is meant to reflect a "normal" relationship, it’s a rather dull and discouraging portrayal...

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anneliselikestoread's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

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devanisreading's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective 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

4.5

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theliteraryhooker's review against another edition

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reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

Navel-gazing trash. This entire novel could have been avoided if these characters could get their heads out of their own asses long enough for an honest conversation. At least Connell gets therapy, they both need it desperately.

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applebottomjeans's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.0

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fbc_2122's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-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

3.0

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rtanner17's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I didn’t expect to, but I read this book in one sitting. I just couldn’t put it down. Mostly because I was so enthralled with the relationship, so encapsulated and wanted to see how it ends.

I can see why people can find this a difficult story to relate to. If you haven’t experienced anything similar to the characters, some of the plot lines can seem unrealistic or unnecessarily dramatic. But this book does a fantastic job at displaying an anxious attachment/avoidant attachment relationship. Not only that, but other themes such as how trauma can affect a persons character, differences in classes, battles with mental issues, the effects that loneliness has on young people. It is a beautifully written story that is honest and real. While it doesn’t have a traditional “happy ending”, we can see that the characters have changed so much and carry the good from their past as they move forward into their futures.

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