Reviews with content warning for Physical abuse - Pessoas normais

Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

Pessoas normais by Sally Rooney

1152 reviews

naoml's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.75

I don't think I started to get it until pg 132 and I don't think I really got it until I read 175-190. I really wanted to love this, people say it's so good, and it has incredible moments. I personally didn't like the way dialogue was written, I found it hard to keep straight. Unsure how I feel about the ending, but would say it's worth a read

Content Warnings

louise_jane28's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-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

3.5

I didn't really connect with the characters and I found thier whole will they won't they relationship a bit frustrating to read at times. The ending was quite unsatisfing, not that I was expecting them to have a happy ending but it felt unfinished.
I enjoyed traveling through present and past tense to understand what was happening.

Content Warnings

clamik211's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-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

5.0

Content Warnings

steph_phanie's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

Although this novel made me feel very melancholic, I couldn't stop listening to the audiobook. I was quite invested in the complex relationship between Marianne and Connell, as well as in the relationships they had with themselves, their families, and the world around them.

I have seen the complaints about how all the back and forth, uncertainty, and pain could have been avoided if the two had just had a proper conversation, but not only do I think that was an impossible option for these characters, it was also beside the point. I felt the story was less about them as a romantic couple and more about them as individuals moving through their own trauma, presumptions, and societal expectations as they left childhood and became adults. The categorization of their relationship, as such, was just one part of this journey.

Normal People has many layers to it, and Rooney uses that space to comment on social norms, class division, self-worth, and bonds of all sorts. I was particularly moved by the stark contrast between the main characters' mothers, and could probably talk at length about this alone.

There is quite a gloom that settles over the story, and several triggering topics are portrayed in detail, so read with caution. But for those who love a good contemplative character study and don't mind unease, I think you will also appreciate the beauty of Normal People.

Content Warnings