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lagoony_snail's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Violence, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Alcohol, and Sexual content
megshughes_13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Eating disorder, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Alcohol
cpratreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved the narrative style, the two narrators, and my favourite moments were often when we revisted the same moment from both perspectives.
It certainly led to a lot of discussion with my partner, who recommended the book to me.
5/5 will read again. I really loved it. Sally Rooney is now an auto-read for me.
Graphic: Blood, Domestic abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Suicide and Suicidal thoughts
defunctfridge's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Moderate: Mental illness, Eating disorder, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Alcohol, Body shaming, Bullying, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, and Physical abuse
katjayorke's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Bullying, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Adult/minor relationship, Eating disorder, Violence, Alcohol, and Toxic relationship
Minor: War, Mass/school shootings, and Death of parent
sestout's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Mental illness, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Physical abuse, Alcohol, and Sexual assault
Minor: Classism
annchmn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It was an interesting look l the way Marianne and Connell both navigated school coming from different backgrounds, but the rest irked me.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Alcohol, Toxic friendship, Violence, Bullying, Classism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Sexual assault and Vomit
shiveryteacup's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Grief, Mental illness, Domestic abuse, Blood, Alcohol, Body shaming, and Suicide
chantalbech's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
steph_phanie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I have seen the complaints about how all the back and forth, uncertainty, and pain could have been avoided if the two had just had a proper conversation, but not only do I think that was an impossible option for these characters, it was also beside the point. I felt the story was less about them as a romantic couple and more about them as individuals moving through their own trauma, presumptions, and societal expectations as they left childhood and became adults. The categorization of their relationship, as such, was just one part of this journey.
Normal People has many layers to it, and Rooney uses that space to comment on social norms, class division, self-worth, and bonds of all sorts. I was particularly moved by the stark contrast between the main characters' mothers, and could probably talk at length about this alone.
There is quite a gloom that settles over the story, and several triggering topics are portrayed in detail, so read with caution. But for those who love a good contemplative character study and don't mind unease, I think you will also appreciate the beauty of Normal People.
Graphic: Suicide, Grief, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Alcohol
Minor: Body shaming, Death of parent, Drug use, and Toxic relationship