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packedjam'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
4.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Sexual violence, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, and Eating disorder
Minor: Mass/school shootings, Suicide, Fatphobia, Vomit, Classism, Abortion, Misogyny, Xenophobia, Drug use, Blood, and Racism
pestowing'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
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Grief, Body shaming, Suicide, and Classism
roaljones'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
3.5
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Suicidal thoughts
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
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
vanesst's review against another edition
5.0
Moderate: Blood, Physical abuse, Alcohol, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Classism
Minor: Drug use, Grief, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, and Death of parent
jameserinoreads'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
4.75
Graphic: Bullying and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Classism, Abandonment, Misogyny, Drug use, Sexual assault, Grief, Toxic friendship, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Blood, Suicide, Alcohol, and Suicidal thoughts
aleilvandrea'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
3.75
Graphic: Eating disorder, Blood, Classism, Grief, Sexism, Violence, Body shaming, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Suicide, Torture, Alcohol, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Rape, Gaslighting, and Death of parent
Minor: War
aherman18's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Eating disorder, Gaslighting, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Toxic relationship, Self harm, and Grief
jkschoen'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
5.0
Graphic: Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders