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exlibrisalex's review against another edition
2.0
I decided to retroactively write this review in the case I should be surprised that I find myself thinking about this book a lot after finishing it. I finished it a week ago and while I have not been looking back at this book with nostalgia nor admiration, I can’t stop thinking about how stupid and overhyped it was.
1) I was told the writing was impressive. It’s entirely mediocre.
2) I was told the characters were nuanced and realistic. They were flatter than my ass.
3) I was told Rooney had quite a few intelligent observations and commentary. It was all cliche and old hat. “The literary world is classist, pretentious, and phony”. Yeah, we all know that. “You can love someone and still hurt them or misunderstand them”. Yep, we know. “Just because you are rich, doesn’t mean you are happy or have an idyllic life”. Abuse and poor family relations can happen to anyone, and? “Anyone could suffer from poor mental health and it manifests in different ways for different people.” No shit. “High school is not barometer for how real life is (just because you have success in high school, whether in terms of popularity or grades, doesn’t mean that will continue to be the case)”. Kill me. “Just because you are popular or accepted, it doesn’t mean you achieve a sense of feeling normal.” Etc.
4) Seeing as how it didn’t deliver on points 1-3, surely it must at least be cheaply entertaining, right? No, it’s boring.
Conclusion: So many people probably like Normal People because it’s intellectual-lite. It’s not that cerebral but it’s more so than the contemporary fiction they are trying to graduate from. It’s fake big brain energy for people who won’t read classics but want to seem literary.
1) I was told the writing was impressive. It’s entirely mediocre.
2) I was told the characters were nuanced and realistic. They were flatter than my ass.
3) I was told Rooney had quite a few intelligent observations and commentary. It was all cliche and old hat. “The literary world is classist, pretentious, and phony”. Yeah, we all know that. “You can love someone and still hurt them or misunderstand them”. Yep, we know. “Just because you are rich, doesn’t mean you are happy or have an idyllic life”. Abuse and poor family relations can happen to anyone, and? “Anyone could suffer from poor mental health and it manifests in different ways for different people.” No shit. “High school is not barometer for how real life is (just because you have success in high school, whether in terms of popularity or grades, doesn’t mean that will continue to be the case)”. Kill me. “Just because you are popular or accepted, it doesn’t mean you achieve a sense of feeling normal.” Etc.
4) Seeing as how it didn’t deliver on points 1-3, surely it must at least be cheaply entertaining, right? No, it’s boring.
Conclusion: So many people probably like Normal People because it’s intellectual-lite. It’s not that cerebral but it’s more so than the contemporary fiction they are trying to graduate from. It’s fake big brain energy for people who won’t read classics but want to seem literary.
kimpower's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
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
5.0
elenaa_salinass103's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
d4nlle's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
vilma12345's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
micditiz's review against another edition
3.0
Estoy tan enojada con lo mucho que ame el principio y odie el resto (pero también siento que no lo odie tanto...), estoy bastante confundida, ese fue el objetivo todo el tiempo, no?
Es tan parecido a la vida misma que te produce todo tipo de sentimientos encontrados.
Es tan parecido a la vida misma que te produce todo tipo de sentimientos encontrados.
jshi13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25