Review by tomesandtash - Normal People

tomesandtash 's review for:

Normal People by Sally Rooney

4.0

challenging reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This is the kind of the book you analyse, the kind of book you read in school and discuss at length and I really want to do exactly that. Marianne and Connell grew up in the same small town and find themselves drawn together for years to come, their lives constantly intertwined. It was slow in places but the discussions about the impact people have on one another and how it shapes us as people are deeply interesting. Connell has spent his life trying to please others and has lost himself along the way while Marianne has always been defined by her relationship to Connell and finds solace and peace in being submitting herself to men. I do find the representation of people in university to be quite dated but to counter that I would also say that the world of this book (and of Rooney's writing in general) is very stylised and I am able to immerse myself in a world where 22 year olds have grown up parties, drink wine, and discuss politics at length.

Content Warnings