A review by maddybates
Normal People by Sally Rooney

dark reflective sad 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

4.5

It was a sad book overall. I found it to be such an accurate depiction of modern day love, and I especially resonated with it. The ending was somewhat underwhelming but at the same time I didn’t expect it to be an overly satisfying/groundbreaking ending as that’s simply not the nature of this book. I liked how it switched between Connell and Marianne’s perspectives but kept it limited to only their perspectives. I found it to be a nice read and unlike anything I’ve read before in terms of a romance novel. The way this novel explored sex and fetish was interesting especially linking it to Marianne’s trauma. I really enjoy Rooney’s style of writing, including the lack of quotation marks during dialogue despite that being criticised a lot by other readers. 
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