A review by clazbee
Normal People by Sally Rooney

reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

I’ll be honest: I only read this book as it was part of my required reading. It’s not the sort of book I typically seek out, so perhaps I’m being overly harsh on it. However, this book was boring. The prose is simple, the lack of speech markers infuriating, and the plot revolves entirely around a lack of communication between the characters which I personally cannot stand. The few plot points that could be interesting- both Marianne and Connell seeming to lie on the ace spectrum, the introduction of BDSM, eating disorders- are all superficial and lack any real depth. Equating BDSM to being abused as a child/feeling worthless just feels cheap and harmful without any surrounding discussion. The only issue handled remotely well is that of mental illness, but even that just… happens. Everything in this novel simply is. And then it ends.
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