Reviews with content warning for Physical abuse - Normal People

Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

Normal People by Sally Rooney

1245 reviews

mackenziewrites's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious 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

I was so excited to read this book after coming across it in an Instagram video, I began seeing it everywhere but I had no idea what it was about. It sat on my shelf for a few months, the bright green and blue cover calling my name every day. This was my first time not reading reviews, synopses, or spoilers and I think I want to continue to do that moving forward. It worked out so well for me with this one!

The first thing I noticed was the author’s choice to not use quotation marks for the dialogue. It threw me for a loop for the first few pages, but I got used to it.

One review from The Washington Post says “A novel that demands to be read compulsively in one sitting” and while I didn’t do that, I found myself constantly wanting to read more about Marianne and Connell and what happens next in their story.

Sally Rooney draws you into a seemingly mundane story set across years about characters who you become completely invested in. Sometimes you just want to shake them and tell them to open their eyes. The book illuminates the power in the small moments between two people, the said and the unsaid, the line between love and friendship. If you’re looking for a quick or easy read that will engross you and pull at your heartstrings while also bringing up core memories from your own life, pick this one up.

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eilisrowan's review against another edition

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emotional fast-paced

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

3.75

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pau0704's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad fast-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

4.5

Really liked this book. It's very easy to read and very easy to follow the story. Characters are complex and really well developed. I really don't have much to say about this book except that I liked it a lot and the ending was not what I was expecting so I really liked that, always love when a book surprises me in a good way.
Loved the writing style of the author. Now I get why this book is this famous.

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kitkathw871's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

2.75

I found it a bit of a slog to get through because the relationship issues cycled repetitively, building tension where you think they're going to get it together this time

only for the book to end in an unsatisfying fizzle

. I do see the merit of this book as a reflection of the messiness of life, but it's not what I am personally looking for. There's a familiarity with which the author writes about sex and relationships that struck a discomfort within me and I couldn't shake that feeling, taking me out of the story by triggering memories on my own experiences. There's some great lines within the book and I think it does hold a mirror up to your perspective on your life, but this book wasn't really for me.

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melissa_cosgrove's review against another edition

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sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

If “I can change him” was a book… and a really really boring one at that. Sentence by sentence, she’s a good writer, which is why it’s such a shame that she chose to write… this. I’m embarrassed to have read this?? I don’t get why this was such a hit.

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harper11's review against another edition

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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

1.0

One star because the only thing that pushed me through the trenches of this book was Rooney’s writing style. This book was completely and absolutely not for me, which is a shame considering the hype.

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