A review by hello_lovely13
Normal People by Sally Rooney

emotional reflective medium-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

This book is dreadfully beautiful.  It is unbelievably intimate, but I wouldn’t describe it as cozy.  It’s not optimistic either, but it’s honest and beautiful.  The characters are deeply flawed and written in a way that’s so skillful that you can’t fully describe them in words because how they’re presented on the page just gives you an indescribable sense of who they are.  Rooney is a master of literary subtleties, and this is definitely one of the best books I’ve ever read, even though I’m not sure I’d recommend it to everyone I know.  It takes a certain person, who doesn’t mind reflective pieces and honest grey morality, for them to enjoy and/or appreciate this book.  It deserves all the hype.
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