A review by snowhitereads
Normal People by Sally Rooney

challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

 
Happy 2021 everyone!

My first read of the year was Normal People by Sally Rooney.

Although this book is very hyped, there are mixed reviews about it.
After reading it, I totally understand why.

It’s a short but heavy book and it’s definitely not for everyone.

It talks frankly about complex topics such as depression, suicide, violence and abuse, unhealthy sexual relationships, eating disorders and bullying.

This book is a great character study of a relationship over the course of a few years, but I honestly had a difficult time investing too much into the story of Marianne and Connell. 

The relationship dynamic can be frustrating sometimes due to the repetitive nature and the lack of communication.  I also found the coldness and distance of the characterizations off-putting.

If you’re looking for a happy and romance book this is not it. 
This is a book about relationships that is painfully real.



CW: Toxic relationship, domestic abuse, emotional and physical abuse, sexual content, sexual abuse, rape, child abuse, bullying, eating disorders, mental ilness, suicidal thoughts/suicide

 
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