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A review by samihami
Normal People by Sally Rooney
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
This surprised but not in a good way.
After reading Rooney’s BWWAY, I simply didn’t think of this one as impressive as it is presented.
I didn’t connect to the characters thus didn’t care for their adversities and joys.
The main relationship felt undeveloped.
The book is sometimes advertised as academia, which I think is false. There’s some of it but not enough for it to be academia to be frank.
The writing was good. However the flashback intermissions were sometimes unrelated and poorly timed that I only got confused and lost track of the plot.
I like that the author has a pattern to certain tropes and characters (eg writers, long email correspondence) so you can compare how they are done throughout the author’s work.
I can see what Rooney is trying to achieve here and I can see why it has gotten so much positive feedback, but I simply don’t think it lives up to its reputation.
If you wish to read Sally Rooney, I wouldn’t start with this.
After reading Rooney’s BWWAY, I simply didn’t think of this one as impressive as it is presented.
I didn’t connect to the characters thus didn’t care for their adversities and joys.
The main relationship felt undeveloped.
The book is sometimes advertised as academia, which I think is false. There’s some of it but not enough for it to be academia to be frank.
The writing was good. However the flashback intermissions were sometimes unrelated and poorly timed that I only got confused and lost track of the plot.
I like that the author has a pattern to certain tropes and characters (eg writers, long email correspondence) so you can compare how they are done throughout the author’s work.
I can see what Rooney is trying to achieve here and I can see why it has gotten so much positive feedback, but I simply don’t think it lives up to its reputation.
If you wish to read Sally Rooney, I wouldn’t start with this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
There’s domestic abuse, SA, alcohol, cigarettes, depression and anxiety, ED, abandonment, bullying, body shaming, toxic relationships, relationship abuse, aggressive behaviour and language