A review by tankhalessi
Normal People by Sally Rooney

dark reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Giving two stars because the issues the characters wrestle with is an interesting thing to explore with writing. I do feel like this is A Book Where Nothing Happens…it is highly character driven, but I don’t see a lot of growth or even *life* given to these characters. There’s very few details given about their interests, talents, likes, dislikes…pretty much anything outside the world of their (generally unhealthy and depressing) relationships. I don’t think a single character in this book even tells a joke…and this book spans years. The characters just feel very lifeless. There are some good and accurate bits about Connell’s struggles with depression, the awakardness of dealing with mental health, going out of your comfort zone to see a counselor, etc…but again, this never really affects the plot. No real world consequences are shown because of the issues Connell has. Marianne, too, is apathetic about pretty much everything. Sometimes people like her, sometimes they dislike her, and no reason is ever really given why. We get some references to her being very academically gifted, but never see her showcasing academic talent—or really doing anything besides drinking and dating. If you like pensive books this one may be for you…but you do have to watch the characters go through mostly grim losses, and even when they win, the situations are pretty much met with indifference. 
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