A review by katelynhartley
Normal People by Sally Rooney

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Given the nature of the material to discover the complexities of maintaining an identity intrinsic to personal beliefs and/or combating those assigned by others in themes such as multidimensional areas of development, I believe that this book was significantly over recommended for the experience I had with it. The story was compelling through the various timelines that exclusively occur in significant moments with flashbacks of contextual points to reach these periods, except there were no quotation marks between dialogue and the communication among these characters was misleading. 

The story established how well that Marianne and Connell are completely honest with each other in their communication yet there are constant misunderstandings, half truths, omissions, and insecurities that wreck their foundation and essentially reset their progress every time. They were an unofficial exclusive couple three times in their lives with verbal understanding that they love each other. Every time they broke up it wasn’t established by communication but just a simple negligence to communication. 

Character personalities, social personas, and thoughts are fully realized to resemble real life, both the good and horrible sides to humanity. This concept salvaged the reading experience yet the self depreciation did add to the already demoralized circumstances, thoughts, and subsequent actions.
Marianne seeking trauma reenactment through sex fetishes and Connell’s deep depression stemming from Rob’s suicide were both unexpected and felt unnecessary. The narrative already established who is considered “normal” members of society through gender, relationships, and socioeconomic status and didn’t need to further identify that Marianne and Cornell were not, even though no one is
 

 I did enjoy both perspectives and the longevity of how their lives are. The ending, being the last chapter, made me happy and then furious at the outcome because it showed little to no growth and left things unsaid. With that said though, I feel it was the best way to conclude the story for these character rather than
a happy ending filled with commitment to each other with labels or marriage


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