Reviews

Normal People by Rini Nurul Badariah, Sally Rooney

karvounius's review against another edition

sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

Normal People" by Sally Rooney is an overrated slog through the tedious lives of two insufferable characters, Connell and Marianne. The plot, if you can call it that, is a repetitive cycle of their on-again, off-again relationship, riddled with miscommunications and self-inflicted misery. Rooney's writing style, hailed by many as brilliant, comes off as pretentious and overly simplistic, lacking any real depth or insight. The characters are so self-absorbed and unlikeable that it's a chore to care about their endless, trivial problems. The book tries to pass off mundane and toxic interactions as profound, leaving the reader feeling frustrated and unfulfilled. "Normal People" is a dull, overrated book that fails to deliver any meaningful narrative or emotional payoff.

jaigeyes_6's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

3.5

I really like how realistic the events, people, emotions, etc. were portrayed in this book. We see problems with class, culture, independence/dependency, trauma, and much more. It’s funny and serious and tough at times to read because there are many things that we could relate to with these characters. 

I thought it was a really good book, but I think how Connell and Marianne could never hold an intimate and emotionally clear conversation annoyed and angered me. Their own minds and trauma prevented them from truly speaking their minds, and at the end of the day, they tortured each other by never letting each other go or truly expressing their thoughts. Their own egos and pride interfered. 

erinscan337's review against another edition

4.0

I really enjoyed this book, although at first it was hard to follow and understand the way it is written. I understand why there are so many time jumps and I think they work for the book, but I can’t say that books like this are my personal favorite.

As someone who lives in Dublin I loved being able to picture so many places mentioned in the book! As my friends and I say about this book, Connel is just a typical Irish boy with a typical Irish boy attitude in the beginning. Overall, I loved it and now can’t wait to watch the Netflix series.

evelynhentschel's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad 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

3.75

pr1496's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.5

goldensnitch_11's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

sierradewalt's review against another edition

5.0

Her writing style is everything.

claireproost's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted medium-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

4.25

heel mooi verhaal over 2 bijzondere mensen. er gebeurt niet meeega veel in het vehaal maar de characters ontwikkelen gwn heel mooi. op het midden vond ik hem een beetje sloom maar verder heel fijn te volgen. love sally en d’r schrijfstijl 🩵 mn pen is bijna leeg van alles wat ik heb onderstreept x

k8z's review against another edition

5.0

Sally Rooney has to be one of my favourite authors now!! Her style of writing is very unique and the time jumps work perfectly for the plot. Her depiction of Connell’s depression was eerily accurate, and she seamlessly weaves in these vivid analogies that really hit the nail on the head. Can’t wait to read more of her work <33

antra's review against another edition

5.0

finished it in one sitting omg omg so beautiful and so lucky they found each kther to be loved like it to have gapping voids and ppl looking in them and saying i love u u are good u are worthy i choose u its beautiful to have power over someone and to use it for only their good thats love fr