A review by flara
Normal People by Sally Rooney

emotional reflective sad fast-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

3.0

This book was captivating. I was invested in the main characters' love story. The novel was a great companion on long train rides, but... I don't know, certain aspects felt unnatural. Writing in the first chapter was a bit strenuous. I found the dialogue a bit odd and hard to believe. I suppose I got used to it and didn't pay much attention to it later, but still, there were these little things sprinkled all over the book that I just did not find believable, and somehow that bothered me. I wanted to smack the characters half the time, especially Connell, but that's a different issue. I think that 10 years ago I would have enjoyed this book immensely. I kind of wish it was around then, because I know exactly who would have benefitted from it. The novel touches on difficult topics such as suicide, loss of a friend, mental illness, domestic abuse, sexual harassment, rape, etc. I suppose that in most cases people get shielded from these in their early years and that's partially why becoming an adult and suddenly being exposed to the horrors of life is an uneasy transition. I think that someone in secondary education/starting university, who struggles to navigate the social hierarchy of early adulthood, will probably find this book insightful.
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