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A review by yailinshelf
Normal People by Sally Rooney
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
2.5
Multiple times he has tried writing his thoughts about Marianne down on paper... as if he wants to recreate a precise copy of Marianne in print, as if he can preserve her completely for future review. Then he turns a new page in the notebook so he doesn't have to look at what he's done.
Honestly, I was so excited to get into this book. I hadn't read a book like this before, so I wasn't sure what to expect. Unfortunately, I was extremely disappointed.
I couldn't connect with the male character. While he was financially disadvantaged, I still found his voice to be extremely privileged. It felt like Rooney placed much more effort into developing the female character. I also didn't like the constant reminder of how this couple was *different* from other people. I understand that the intention was to show how people only feel normal with the person they're meant to be with, but it still felt overdone. I didn't think the characters were strange, but apparently we were supposed to.
The entire narrative was so repetitive. I thought something would get interesting at one point, but nothing ever did. It was just too boring for me. I wanted to get it done the entire time, but it still took me more than a week to finish it! Also, I know the book was said to have explored things like mental illness and classism, but it only implied these issues, or utilized them as a plot tool. I don't think there was any nuanced 'exploration.'
There were some really lovely lines throughout, as well as some spectacular moments with subtle themes. I am not familiar with these kinds of romances, so for me these observations/commentary on relationships was really interesting. Rooney's writing is, by technicality, really enjoyable and intriguing. The execution of the storyline, however, just wasn't for me. Interesting but bland.
Honestly, I was so excited to get into this book. I hadn't read a book like this before, so I wasn't sure what to expect. Unfortunately, I was extremely disappointed.
I couldn't connect with the male character. While he was financially disadvantaged, I still found his voice to be extremely privileged. It felt like Rooney placed much more effort into developing the female character. I also didn't like the constant reminder of how this couple was *different* from other people. I understand that the intention was to show how people only feel normal with the person they're meant to be with, but it still felt overdone. I didn't think the characters were strange, but apparently we were supposed to.
The entire narrative was so repetitive. I thought something would get interesting at one point, but nothing ever did. It was just too boring for me. I wanted to get it done the entire time, but it still took me more than a week to finish it! Also, I know the book was said to have explored things like mental illness and classism, but it only implied these issues, or utilized them as a plot tool. I don't think there was any nuanced 'exploration.'
There were some really lovely lines throughout, as well as some spectacular moments with subtle themes. I am not familiar with these kinds of romances, so for me these observations/commentary on relationships was really interesting. Rooney's writing is, by technicality, really enjoyable and intriguing. The execution of the storyline, however, just wasn't for me. Interesting but bland.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Alcoholism