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A review by talesofaliteraryaddict
Normal People by Sally Rooney
3.0
Woah, where do I start with this one? I would probably rate it a 3.5 - I would say a 4 however that ending was so empty for me and there were a lot of problematic elements that it took the shine off it.
Lets start by saying both characters are extremely damaged individuals.
At the beginning of the timeline Connell is keeping Marianne secret, there is a clear class divide and he uses his love as a conversation filler rather than it holding true meaning. He can also be cruel when he wants to be.
Marianne is living in an abusive household and this abusive cycle continues to the end of the novel, she demands to feel pain because it's all she knows.
Don't get me wrong I know this is probably more realistic than most books but those two are destined to self sabotage or sabotage one another's relationships until they both seek help. I also felt it was curious that Connell was the character on the receiving end of the therapist and not Marianne.
It was gripping but i'm not sure for the right reasons and of course due to the tv show success a sequel is likely to be imminent, which I will almost definitely need to read to seek closure.
Lets start by saying both characters are extremely damaged individuals.
At the beginning of the timeline Connell is keeping Marianne secret, there is a clear class divide and he uses his love as a conversation filler rather than it holding true meaning. He can also be cruel when he wants to be.
Marianne is living in an abusive household and this abusive cycle continues to the end of the novel, she demands to feel pain because it's all she knows.
Don't get me wrong I know this is probably more realistic than most books but those two are destined to self sabotage or sabotage one another's relationships until they both seek help. I also felt it was curious that Connell was the character on the receiving end of the therapist and not Marianne.
It was gripping but i'm not sure for the right reasons and of course due to the tv show success a sequel is likely to be imminent, which I will almost definitely need to read to seek closure.