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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
emotional
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
The book is well written and I generally liked it, but I found it a bit too long and a bit too slow. Miscommunication/lack of communication and grief are among the main focus points, so it can be a bit challenging and depressing to read at times.
The characters are all human, which means very flawed and often very frustrating. I would have liked if we also got Sylvia's and Naomi's POV, cause I would like to have understood more about their decisions and behaviours. Overall, I liked it more than Conversations with friends, but less than Normal People, so it falls somewhere in the middle for me.
The characters are all human, which means very flawed and often very frustrating. I would have liked if we also got Sylvia's and Naomi's POV, cause I would like to have understood more about their decisions and behaviours. Overall, I liked it more than Conversations with friends, but less than Normal People, so it falls somewhere in the middle for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Death of parent