A review by dfram
Normal People by Sally Rooney

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective 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

5.0

March 2020
I read this book in 24 hours, I was absolutely incapable of putting it down. I loved every single element on it. Relatable characters with immesurable personal growth; and yet, the essence of their personalities remained intact. Mental health discussions (with responsible details + relevant and important information for YA). The accuracy of the description of feelings of inadequacy among same-aged peers. The truth about young love, and how inevitable heart break is. The social criticism and the discussion about class and wealth (and how it impacts our relationships). How life changing it is to find someone who not only understands and accepts you for who you are, but loves you because of it and not in spite of what makes you you.

What I love about this book so much is that Marianna and Connell are normal people. They're as real as the next person is. I felt myself identified with the plot to their story. The truth is, nearly everyone I know has experienced what it's like to struggle between letting go and holding on tighter. The gist of the story is best summarized via the following popular saying: "if you love somebody, let them go. For if they return, they were always yours. If they don't, they never were".

My only complaint? The lack of quotations to identify the dialogue took me an embarrassingly long amount of chapters to adapt to.

I wish there was more to this story.

10/10 would recommend.

April 2024
I agree with my past self! I felt able to fully immerse myself in the story and that is a feeling I seek when reading other books. I felt the characters were super relatable, and those that I didn’t love I could understand
except Marianne’s fam, fuck them
I loved that Marianne and Connell were flawed and awkward.
It’s physically impossible for me to love them together more than I do, after all they’ve been through tg
I’m a multiple timeline girly because I love a good character growth. I love how they grew independently and alongside each other. Topics such as depression, social class, suicide, privilege, and sex are dealt with such grace. This book felt like finding a soulmate. I have no doubts I’ll be revisiting Marianne’s and Connell’s story in the future (again) 😌
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