Scan barcode
januaryschilds's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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
3.0
this book made me so incredibly sad
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Mental illness
katjayorke's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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
4.0
Beautiful and realistic story of a complicated relationship and young life. At times frustrating and at times loving and relieving. Abrupt but well suited ending.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Bullying, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Adult/minor relationship, Eating disorder, Violence, Alcohol, and Toxic relationship
Minor: War, Mass/school shootings, and Death of parent
sblack20's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
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
4.25
A thoughtful story about how the difficulties we have moving through the world affect and appear to other people.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
bubblyfemme's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-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 read this for a uni class and I can tell for the most part this is a ‘love it or hate it’ kind of book.
I think if the themes and experiences of the characters hit home for you, you will be much more invested and affected by the book. If not it seems people come away very unbothered about the story.
Personally some of Marianne’s story really hit home and I could really empathise with her, despite her overwhelming flaws, so I enjoyed the book in a sort of self-therapising way. Whereas I know people who found her annoying when they read the story.
This review is all over the place but it's hard for me to give an overview because the novel doesn't really lead anywhere or have a ‘true meaning’ if that makes sense.
I think if the themes and experiences of the characters hit home for you, you will be much more invested and affected by the book. If not it seems people come away very unbothered about the story.
Personally some of Marianne’s story really hit home and I could really empathise with her, despite her overwhelming flaws, so I enjoyed the book in a sort of self-therapising way. Whereas I know people who found her annoying when they read the story.
This review is all over the place but it's hard for me to give an overview because the novel doesn't really lead anywhere or have a ‘true meaning’ if that makes sense.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Classism, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
ginaedosie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
eimalouise's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Suicide
sestout's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Physical abuse, Alcohol, and Sexual assault
Minor: Classism
kellies_7831's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, and Suicidal thoughts
lucielockettreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
There were many quotes that stuck out to me and I would love to go through them now and write them here but it’s literally Christmas Day 2am in the morning and I need sleep. This book instilled my faith in SR novels again compared to beautiful world where are you which I really did not get along with !
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Eating disorder
Minor: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship
ada_henry's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Oh boy, this was a lot.
When I initially picked up Normal People, I thought I was going to hate it. Why? Because of the distinct lack of quotation marks. Occasionally quotation mark-less books work for me, but it's a rare occurrence, and Normal People did not seem like the kind of book that should have no quotation marks. However, once I was able to move past the weird dialogue writing, I found this book to be... enjoyable? I am a firm believer that there are limited things on this earth more satisfying than finishing a book, so there's something a quite enjoy about quick reads, which Normal People was. I always feel a little like my nine-year-old self reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in one day when I manage to read more than thirty pages in one sitting, and Normal People really delivered in that department.
However, the more I read, the more concerned I became. Firstly, I have never read a book about two people who are so willing to let others walk all over them. What happened to strong-willed, independent people? I suppose Connell and Marianne were made for each other because of how passive they both were. Secondly, Marianne needs help. Girl is really out in the world thinking she's unlovable and deserves bad things because of her abusive family. She also knows she needs therapy, but refuses to actually get it for some reason? (Props to Connell for realizing that he needed help.) Also, I feel like Marianne had a whole eating disorder thing happening there that just... was never addressed? Like, several characters commented on how thin she'd gotten, she never eats a full meal and orders less food at restaurants, and she even states at one point that she doesn't eat anything between breakfast and nine pm. I feel like this aspect of Marianne's life (and how it was related to her other mental health issues) could have been explored in much more detail. Also, the fact that she actively sought out abusive boyfriends was incredibly concerning. Please go get help, Marianne.
Connell was also concerning, but it a much less prominent way. The way Sally Rooney wrote his depression was kind of humorous, in a dark way. Case(s) in point:
"Well, here I am on the floor, he thought." (Connell, on being to depressed to make it to his bed so he just flopped down on the floor.)
"'... someone who's going through a mild depressive episode could expect to see a score of maybe fifteen or sixteen.'
'Okay,' he says. 'Right.'
'And what we're seeing here is a score of forty-three.'" (Connell and a counselor on the results of his depression survey.)
Although these are far from the best quotes in this incredibly poetic novel, they were my favorite. In any case, I was concerned the entire time, but I enjoyed reading this book, so 4.25/5 stars, rounded down.
When I initially picked up Normal People, I thought I was going to hate it. Why? Because of the distinct lack of quotation marks. Occasionally quotation mark-less books work for me, but it's a rare occurrence, and Normal People did not seem like the kind of book that should have no quotation marks. However, once I was able to move past the weird dialogue writing, I found this book to be... enjoyable? I am a firm believer that there are limited things on this earth more satisfying than finishing a book, so there's something a quite enjoy about quick reads, which Normal People was. I always feel a little like my nine-year-old self reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in one day when I manage to read more than thirty pages in one sitting, and Normal People really delivered in that department.
However, the more I read, the more concerned I became. Firstly, I have never read a book about two people who are so willing to let others walk all over them. What happened to strong-willed, independent people? I suppose Connell and Marianne were made for each other because of how passive they both were. Secondly, Marianne needs help. Girl is really out in the world thinking she's unlovable and deserves bad things because of her abusive family. She also knows she needs therapy, but refuses to actually get it for some reason? (Props to Connell for realizing that he needed help.) Also, I feel like Marianne had a whole eating disorder thing happening there that just... was never addressed? Like, several characters commented on how thin she'd gotten, she never eats a full meal and orders less food at restaurants, and she even states at one point that she doesn't eat anything between breakfast and nine pm. I feel like this aspect of Marianne's life (and how it was related to her other mental health issues) could have been explored in much more detail. Also, the fact that she actively sought out abusive boyfriends was incredibly concerning. Please go get help, Marianne.
Connell was also concerning, but it a much less prominent way. The way Sally Rooney wrote his depression was kind of humorous, in a dark way. Case(s) in point:
"Well, here I am on the floor, he thought." (Connell, on being to depressed to make it to his bed so he just flopped down on the floor.)
"'... someone who's going through a mild depressive episode could expect to see a score of maybe fifteen or sixteen.'
'Okay,' he says. 'Right.'
'And what we're seeing here is a score of forty-three.'" (Connell and a counselor on the results of his depression survey.)
Although these are far from the best quotes in this incredibly poetic novel, they were my favorite. In any case, I was concerned the entire time, but I enjoyed reading this book, so 4.25/5 stars, rounded down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Child abuse