Reviews tagging 'Sexual assault'

Normal People by Sally Rooney

636 reviews

squeakypenguin's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Oh my god!! Absolutely adored this book, I just could not put it down I had to find out about these two characters and what happens to them. I loved seeing their povs and how they perceived each other. It was beautiful to see their transformation of becoming adults annd how they developed their personalities due to the things they were going through. It was like I was reading about 2 real life people.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, and Grief

jaderbugz's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

this book was not for me ✋🏽 don’t get the hype, it was kinda boring with bits that were just depressing af. not a fan of the writing style. and though a lot did happen, also nothing happened?? i feel like they are the same people they were in the beginning of the book. no development and tbh they’re both kinda boring people (which i guess could be nice in a way because they are truly “normal people”? lmao). also most of the conversations didn’t feel like they flowed like real conversations, which i was not a fan of. 

i will say that despite this, there were two quotes i did really love. however, that’s probably the only positive thing i have to say about the book haha. 

“Marianne, I’m not a religious person but I do sometimes think God made you for me.” 

“Life offers you these moments of joy despite everything.”

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment

rellimylrac's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Eating disorder

summerlyn's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This books is a roller coaster of emotions. I loved the main characters and hated them at the same time. Their actions and lack of communication drove me crazy but it was so painfully realistic. There is a larger look into Connell’s life than Marianne’s until later in the novel when it somewhat switches but I think that is based on when each character is more comfortable in their settings. Connell and Marianne are the poster for complex characters. I see why everyone talks about this book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Alcoholism and Alcohol

madisonwolpert's review against another edition

emotional sad

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, and Suicide

cleotheo's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Infidelity, Suicide, and Death of parent

Minor: Eating disorder and Panic attacks/disorders

adri_enne's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I enjoyed this book in the beginning & midway especially the development of Marianne and Connell. I do appreciate how “bland” the characters are, the miscommunication, and the class divide analysis. Unfortunately, the ending for me just fell extremely flat and ambiguous. I wasn’t expecting them to ride off into the sunset of course, but the ending felt unfinished (maybe that’s intention idk). 

Sb: I must admit that I did watch the show after reading the book & it greatly improved my pov of the book!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide

th3bookth3if's review against another edition

emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Wow. This book really is what I would describe as a contemporary classic. 

Normal People really dives into themes of communication, personal and inter-personal relationships, perception and popularity, and of course, love. In the background there’s this nagging theme of seeking validation and how we as humans try to connect with others and the world around us. The characters are incredibly relatable and well written, and the style of writing is unique and interesting. 

Topics of mental health, family dynamics and relationship dynamics are consistently presented in ways that make you feel uncomfortable, yet completely invested in how Marianne and Connell will deal with them. The back and forth between the characters being alone and then surrounded by others is a prime depiction of how humans fall in and out of relationships, and how some end with little impact and others leave lasting wounds. 

The way Sally Rooney describes and creates her scenes is truly magical, and I felt as if I was right there in the room with the characters. Her ability to describe the brutality of humanity and still instil the fact that people need one another to survive seems so simple, but she does it in a way that sits with you for longer than expected. 

There’s a running theme of deception, and what counts as being truthful and honest to someone else versus yourself, specifically with Marianne. The way she navigates her own mind and what she deems as ‘the truth’ versus what she communicates is fascinating. There’s a sort of unease and disconnect between her and Connell in relation to the idea of truth, and it really impacts how they as characters and their relationship develops. 

Overall, I think this book managed to make me go through every emotion known, and I think that’s the point. An absolutely incredible read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Grief

voldycat's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad slow-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

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Eating disorder, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Alcohol

Minor: Sexual assault, Vomit, Grief, and Pregnancy

cmw276's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective sad fast-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

5.0

I'm a bit late to the game with this one, as I know everyone loves it, but this book pulled me in right from the start, which isn’t something that happens often. It's a love story that feels real, with life’s messiness—like friendships and mental health—woven in beautifully. It makes you think about your own life and how you’ve become the person you are.

MINI SPOILER WARNING

The ending was perfect, though a bit frustrating. It doesn’t wrap up neatly with a "happily ever after," but that’s what makes it stand out. I’m torn between wanting more and not wanting to spoil the book's essence. Now, I'm looking forward to watching the TV show.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexual content

Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual violence