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mohoes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
(this does not mean I'd not defend her)
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
gdulecki's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Eating disorder, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Classism
squeakypenguin's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Bullying, Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, and Grief
jaderbugz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
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.”
Graphic: Eating disorder, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
rellimylrac's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Sexual assault and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Eating disorder
summerlyn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
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
- 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
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, and Suicide
cleotheo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
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
- 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
Sb: I must admit that I did watch the show after reading the book & it greatly improved my pov of the book!
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
- 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
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.
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Grief