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A review by th3bookth3if
Normal People by Sally Rooney
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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
5.0
Wow. This book really is what I would describe as a contemporary classic.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Grief