Reviews tagging 'Alcohol'

Normal People by Sally Rooney

416 reviews

megshughes_13's review against another edition

emotional reflective relaxing medium-paced

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

3.75

Not a chore to read and beautifully written. There’s just like 0 plot which I need for a five star. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Eating disorder, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Alcohol

cpratreads's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense 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

5.0

I loved this book. I read it very quickly, and would have had read it much faster if I didn't have to work and could have stayed up all night to read it. 

I loved the narrative style, the two narrators, and my favourite moments were often when we revisted the same moment from both perspectives. 

It certainly led to a lot of discussion with my partner, who recommended the book to me. 

5/5 will read again. I really loved it. Sally Rooney is now an auto-read for me. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Domestic abuse, and Violence

Moderate: Sexual assault, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Suicide and Suicidal thoughts

defunctfridge's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

• 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness, Eating disorder, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Alcohol, Body shaming, Bullying, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, and Physical abuse

katjayorke's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring reflective sad fast-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

4.0

Beautiful and realistic story of a complicated relationship and young life. At times frustrating and at times loving and relieving. Abrupt but well suited ending. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Bullying, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Adult/minor relationship, Eating disorder, Violence, Alcohol, and Toxic relationship

Minor: War, Mass/school shootings, and Death of parent

sestout's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Physical abuse, Alcohol, and Sexual assault

Minor: Classism

annchmn's review against another edition

dark reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I found Marianne’s family situation so unresolved and like a plot device. I really disliked Marianne’s character resolution, as well as her depiction as a frail and beautiful person descending into darkness … I found it especially jarring every time the author flat out wrote a description of what she was wearing and how she looked (especially how she just had to mention how much thinner and thinner Marianne was becoming) instead of being more subtle.

It was an interesting look l the way Marianne and Connell both navigated school coming from different backgrounds, but the rest irked me. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Alcohol, Toxic friendship, Violence, Bullying, Classism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Sexual assault and Vomit

shiveryteacup's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Grief, Mental illness, Domestic abuse, Blood, Alcohol, Body shaming, and Suicide

chantalbech's review against another edition

emotional 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse

steph_phanie's review against another edition

dark reflective sad medium-paced

• 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

Although this novel made me feel very melancholic, I couldn't stop listening to the audiobook. I was quite invested in the complex relationship between Marianne and Connell, as well as in the relationships they had with themselves, their families, and the world around them. 

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.

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Content Warnings

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

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

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