A review by katiewhocanread
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney

emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

My first Sally Rooney, aside from the first few pages of Conversations With Friends which was a swift DNF. I've never really felt the urge to read her books - too focused on couples, cheating, or Being Sally Rooney for my liking - but this one, whilst also having a heavy focus on couples and cheating*, also has additional themes of family and grief. I identified with the younger brother, who although he is explicitly not diagnosed autistic - he definitely is! The older brother was an arse. Sometimes sympathetic, often self-pitying, generally an arse. 

I'm not a Rooney convert, think the book could have done with a bit of a trim, but she can write, I'll give her that. Had some interesting things to say about being human. Bit navel-gazey, but a decent writer.

*Is it cheating if they're agreed not to be monogamous? The book does explore other, complicated, relationship dynamics and I did appreciate the nuanced look at the complexities in this situation. Still not for me but at least it was thoughtful and original.
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