A review by c4itlyn0
Normal People by Sally Rooney

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

3.5

edit 7/25/25:
honestly, looking back, this book was just okay. i see the value in it blah blah, but the characters were just downright annoying, and not as “awe-inspiring” i made it out to be a few years ago. i just had shit standards back then ig.



this book is such a comfort book :,) i know that each time i read it, i will be able to grasp something new each time. rooney beautifully and sorrowfully explores connection, communication, and relationships in the scope of class, sex, social life, and self-development. there was yearning, aching, desire, a push and a pull, an ebb and flow between marianne and connell. (don’t get me wrong their relationship is far from healthy—they are the definition of right person wrong time and situationships).  this book is just wholly wonderful and unlike any other that i’ve read. it made my heart ache in a sweet way while there was simultaneously a bloom of warmth emanating from my chest. all in all, so good. please read. 6/5 stars if i could <3
Expand filter menu Content Warnings