Reviews with content warning for Medical trauma - Intermezzo

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Reviews tagging 'Medical trauma'

Intermezzo by Sally Rooney

39 reviews

fosilona's review against another edition

3.0

dark sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

If you’re a plot-driven person, this book is not for you. It’s very character focused. I don’t think there is any major character development, just following trains of thought. I found most of the characters unlikeable and stubborn, mean to each other and selfish. It was an interesting read and involves themes of grief, mental health, sex and relationships.

Content Warnings

luphillips's review against another edition

5.0

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

this book is fucking amazing, i’ve seen and understand the criticisms around sylvia’s accident and how vague the details are but honestly i think ivan’s story makes up for it

Content Warnings

carlottareadslikeaworm's review against another edition

4.0

emotional reflective tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

xtinemolo's review against another edition

4.75

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Sally Rooneys books always leave me with complicated thoughts and feelings. This one in particular was so tough to get through at points because as the reader we know the characters aren’t being honest with themselves and the people they love. She never wraps her stories with a bow at the end but this one had one resolution that was desperately needed, would have been too sad and frustrating without it. Beautifully written, and truthful to the experience of losing a parent, how it “hits” us at different times, and can make us behave in much better or much worse ways

Content Warnings

stindex's review against another edition

3.75

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

desiblairwaldorf's review against another edition

4.0

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

mwfilion's review against another edition

2.5

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

While there were aspects of the story I connected with - particularly around grief and exploring complicated relationships - I found it veryyyy challenging to connect with the style of writing. It is intentional and well-executed, but just not for me.

Content Warnings

benchurchus's review against another edition

5.0

reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Sally Rooney’s Intermezzo takes a big risk in tackling the mental processes of suicide and trauma, but she does so with tact, never veering into the grotesque. As an older brother, I found the dynamic between Ivan and Peter particularly relatable. Rooney captures the emotional complexity of such moments in a way I’ve never been able to articulate myself, and she absolutely nailed it.

The middle section does lag, but the overall character development pays off. Peter’s relationships with Naomi and Sylvia stand out, particularly how they subtly navigate his depression together while asserting their own autonomy. Peter’s assumption that they wouldn’t understand or get along is entirely in line with his character—condescending yet deeply troubled and desperate to maintain appearances—but it’s clear they had their own dynamic all along.

The pacing towards the end, particularly the shift between Peter’s internal conflict and his eventual decision-making, is less dramatic but fitting. The climax is sharp and thought-provoking, but it’s handled with a quiet restraint that matches the book’s tone.

Rooney’s ability to weave weighty themes into a relatable and understated narrative is what makes this book linger—especially for someone like me, an older sibling. It’s a sensitive, layered exploration of responsibility, connection, and the quiet battles we face in repairing fractured relationships.

Content Warnings

kaddictwithapen's review against another edition

4.75

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Content Warnings

sydney15's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This is my favourite Sally Rooney ending. I'm not sure I liked it better than Normal People but it was phenomenal. While the sentence fragments clearly communicated Peter's character and mental state, the stylistic choice did prove somewhat difficult to read.

Content Warnings

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