libbyhb 's review for:

Normal People by Sally Rooney

3.5

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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This was a real middle of the road read for me. I definitely didn't feel very connected to the characters emotionally and wasn't that invested in their story. But the writing was precise, perfectly descriptive, introspective - all the best parts of Sally Rooney. I loved the experience of reading this, even when the characters did things that felt inexplicable to me. I think I would have liked it more if Marianne's home life was a little more fleshed-out, especially her relationship with her brother. But I really liked the inner world of Connell, who felt so relatable.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse

Moderate: Mental illness, Suicide