'Normal People' by Sally Rooney follows the complex relationship between two young individuals, Marianne and Connell, as they navigate through high school and college years, dealing with issues of miscommunication, self-worth, and emotional struggles. The story delves into the intricacies of their evolving friendship and love, portraying realistic dialogues and character interactions that highlight the challenges faced by the protagonists as they grow and change over time. Rooney's writing style captures the uncertainties and vulnerabilities of the characters, creating a narrative that explores themes of love, friendship, and personal growth.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings for Normal People include mental health issues, emotional and physical abuse, and themes of self-harm.
Has Romance?
The presence of romance in Normal People is significant, focusing on the evolving relationship between the two main characters.
From The Publisher:
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'The best young novelist - indeed one of the best novelists - I've read in years.' Olivia Laing
'Superb . . . a tremendous read, full of insight and sweetness.' Anne Enright
'One the best novels I have read in years.' Sheila Heti
Connell and Marianne grow up in the same small town in the west of Ireland, but the similarities end there. In school, Connell is popular and well-liked, while Marianne is a loner. But when the two strike up a conversation - awkward but electrifying - something life-changing begins.
Normal People is a story of mutual fascination, friendship and love. It takes us from that first conversation to the years beyond, in the company of two people who try to stay apart but find they can't.
READ THE BOOK OF THE HIT TV SERIES: THE BBC ADAPTATION OF NORMAL PEOPLE IS NOW AVAILABLE ON BBC IPLAYER AND BBC 1
Ratings (309)
Incredible (46) | |
Loved It (81) | |
Liked It (79) | |
It Was OK (48) | |
Did Not Like (40) | |
Hated It (15) |
Reader Stats (599):
Read It (306) | |
Currently Reading (6) | |
Want To Read (197) | |
Did Not Finish (16) | |
Not Interested (74) |
13 comment(s)
4/5⭐️
Wow wow wow. The only reason this wasn’t a 5 star read was because there wasn’t quotations and it was confusing sometimes lol.
But the message in this book was so beautiful. It’s literally just 2 people going about their normal life but the way that it’s written is so meaningful. I also saw a tik tok that went back to the first line and talked about how important and deep that line was and yes yes yes oh my gosh.
4.5⭐️ I’ve enjoyed reading this book, it was a quick read for me… though I would have preferred an actual ending and not a cliffhanger in this story…but I can watch the adoption of this book on Hulu now…
2.5 stars. Eh I just don't feel like Sally Rooney is the writer for me, some parts where ok but found the story to be rather bland
At the end of the day, this is a commentary on class.
loved it, a little emotionally heavy but really well written and made me think about my own attitude and how the people around you really affect your life.
slightly unsatisfied with the ending. book way better than the Hulu show (both worth investing in).
Normal People by Sally Rooney is a deeply emotional exploration of love, miscommunication, and personal growth. The novel follows Connell and Marianne, two young people from a small Irish town, who navigate a complex, on-and-off romantic relationship from high school to university. The story is marked by their struggles with vulnerability, class differences, and the impact of personal trauma. Rooney captures the raw intricacies of intimacy and how two people who care for each other deeply can still falter due to misunderstandings and personal insecurities. The characters' inability to fully articulate their emotions leads to missed opportunities and heartache. Rooney’s minimalist prose highlights the tension and connection between the characters, making the story feel intensely real and relatable. The themes of regret, longing, and the hope for reconciliation resonate throughout the narrative. Normal People offers a poignant look at how relationships can both heal and harm, emphasizing that love is often as fragile as it is powerful.
It dragged … while I wanted to see what happened to characters… it didn’t keep my interest
Every now and then a book comes along that makes you think:
This is why I read.
This is why I love books.
Normal People is that kind of book.
I like books like this, but this one really wasn't for me. Maybe boring is the right word, I couldn't even finish it.
Overrated
What can you read after
Normal People?
About the Author:
Sally Rooney was born in 1991 and lives in Dublin, where she graduated from an MA at Trinity College in 2013. Her work has appeared in Granta, The White Review, The Dublin Review, The Stinging Fly, Kevin Barry's Stonecutter and The Winter Pages anthology. Conversations with Friends is her first novel.Follow her @sallyrooney
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