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dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
I was completely blown away by Intermezzo. Not only did I find it an incredibly accurate depiction of an Autistic persons struggles with communication and relationships, but I thought she also beautifully illustrated trauma, substance use, and the never ending complexity of relationships.
Her use of sentence structure is nothing short of masterful, she is able to capture the unique voices of all her characters.
It was clear from the beginning thatPeter and Ivan’s relationship was the driver of the story. I haven’t seen another book that captures sibling relationships, in all its messy and broken interactions. I loved Ivan and Margaret’s relationship, particularly how it really delved into questions of choice, agency, and gender. I appreciate how Rooney used Peter and Naomi’s relationship as a contrast, flipping the gender roles and revealing the underlying dynamics. I appreciate her giving us an optimistic, healing ending: we all need each other.
Her use of sentence structure is nothing short of masterful, she is able to capture the unique voices of all her characters.
It was clear from the beginning that
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Alcohol
Moderate: Ableism
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was the perfect autumn to winter read because it is set in this exact transitionary period where the leaves fall and the chill creeps in. I did not realise that I had picked my read SO WELL for the season, but I am glad that I did. 😌
Unwarranted self-praise aside, Intermezzo was my first step into the literary world of Sally Rooney. And it definitely won't be my last. I am genuinely curious about what it's like inside this author's mind because how does one conceive of such thoughts and writing? It's incredible. Admittedly, when I started reading this book, the lack of conventional grammar and punctuation threw me off for a moment. But I soon came to accept, and even enjoy, the peculiar stream of consciousness writing style. Something about this specific way of writing expressed the themes of this book so well.
Intermezzo alternates between three characters' perspectives. It covers heavy, heart-wrenching topics amongst the daily mundanities of Irish life. Rooney dives deep into the complexities of grief, polyamory, internalized social standards, the inner turmoil of resistance vs desire, and how untreated neurological and mental disorders manifest in fractured adults. What amazed me was how, despite the same style of writing used for each perspective, each character has such a clear, distinct voice. It was like stepping directly into the mind of three very different people. Understanding their choices, sympathising with their sorrows, sharing their pain and pleasure... it was all made possible by this strange wild narrative that Rooney creates. Despite it being stream of consciousness-like, each POV is told in THIRD person, further adding a dimension of disconcertion that just works! I doubt many would be able to pull this off. I take my metaphorical hat off to you Ms Rooney. 🎩
A truly poignant and thought-provoking read. It won't be for everyone, but it was definitely for me.
Unwarranted self-praise aside, Intermezzo was my first step into the literary world of Sally Rooney. And it definitely won't be my last. I am genuinely curious about what it's like inside this author's mind because how does one conceive of such thoughts and writing? It's incredible. Admittedly, when I started reading this book, the lack of conventional grammar and punctuation threw me off for a moment. But I soon came to accept, and even enjoy, the peculiar stream of consciousness writing style. Something about this specific way of writing expressed the themes of this book so well.
Intermezzo alternates between three characters' perspectives. It covers heavy, heart-wrenching topics amongst the daily mundanities of Irish life. Rooney dives deep into the complexities of grief, polyamory, internalized social standards, the inner turmoil of resistance vs desire, and how untreated neurological and mental disorders manifest in fractured adults. What amazed me was how, despite the same style of writing used for each perspective, each character has such a clear, distinct voice. It was like stepping directly into the mind of three very different people. Understanding their choices, sympathising with their sorrows, sharing their pain and pleasure... it was all made possible by this strange wild narrative that Rooney creates. Despite it being stream of consciousness-like, each POV is told in THIRD person, further adding a dimension of disconcertion that just works! I doubt many would be able to pull this off. I take my metaphorical hat off to you Ms Rooney. 🎩
A truly poignant and thought-provoking read. It won't be for everyone, but it was definitely for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Death of parent
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Grief, Death of parent
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use
Minor: Violence
I absolutely get why Sally Rooney’s books are so popular. But for me, with the exception of Marianne and Connell, I just don’t care for any of her characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent
emotional
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
my favorite Sally Rooney that I’ve read so far. I really enjoyed the richness of the family and relationship dynamics— it felt incredibly real and lived-in, grief and all. I would’ve enjoyed more time with Margaret and Ivan’s story and I’m curious about their future.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism
emotional
reflective
medium-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
Intermezzo is an emotional exploration of love, loss, and the way we cope with grief. Relationships are hard and messy, as is life, and Rooney weaves together a beautiful and heartfelt story of two brothers’ attempts to move forward. So many emotions, I loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-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
It clearly took me ages to get through, but also reignited in me a bolder passion to read. God I just love Sally Rooney. I do however, hate Peter - albeit probably less than he hates himself. The exploration of grief and difficult familial relationships is touchingly beautiful. I really truly cared for Ivan. Boy can she write a sad Irish boy that we all swoon over no matter the mistakes he makes. Finishing this has definitely made me wonder what’s taken me so long to read her other books, and has moved Conversations with Friends up on the tbr. Big fan.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death of parent