A review by janiswong
Normal People by Sally Rooney

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I had initially DNFed this book but wanted to pick it up again. I thought the audio book brings the story to life. It's a brilliantly written story about two normal people growing up, with all the ups and downs of navigating tensions in a changing society. I thought the brief nuggets of politics were clever and brought out another dimension of the story. As I was listening to the audio book throughout the day, I didn't know where the book ended and was shocked when it did. To write and reflect on the emotions and many things left unsaid, laid own on the pages, is no small task and I can see how Normal People took off. I felt like I was floating as I listened to the novel, with waves of feelings washing over, thinking about people and places.