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A review by zenizage
Normal People by Sally Rooney
dark
sad
medium-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
3.75
With Sally Rooney the core of the story is always the character(s) she creates and I find her writing really easy to follow, while the subject she writes about is often rather hard (TW: there is some abusive behaviour and violence in Normal People).
We jump around a bit in time and in POV in this one. We learn about what happens through what Connell or Marianne respectively experience or how they remember an event, an interesting way to convey how misunderstandings can and will happen between two people. The essence is in what wasn't said, the very real problem of (not) communicating while also still trying to figure things out as a teen or young adult. It lacks in depth sometimes, but the characters are still very young, so it is almost fitting.
Since the story is told from the perspectives of two different people and is specifically about their relationship the reader doesn't really get to dive that deep into the world and deeper thoughts of a character–but it makes for a fast read.
We jump around a bit in time and in POV in this one. We learn about what happens through what Connell or Marianne respectively experience or how they remember an event, an interesting way to convey how misunderstandings can and will happen between two people. The essence is in what wasn't said, the very real problem of (not) communicating while also still trying to figure things out as a teen or young adult. It lacks in depth sometimes, but the characters are still very young, so it is almost fitting.
Since the story is told from the perspectives of two different people and is specifically about their relationship the reader doesn't really get to dive that deep into the world and deeper thoughts of a character–but it makes for a fast read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Violence, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Mental illness, Suicide, Classism, Grief, Sexual violence, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Body shaming, and Bullying
Minor: Abandonment, Suicidal thoughts, and Death of parent