A review by aamelia
Normal People by Sally Rooney

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Beautiful. The novel covers so many topics in ways that force personal reflection. I don’t think you could read this book and not finish it having learnt so much more about yourself. Rooney perfectly crafts characters that I find so relatable and find a sense comfort in; Connell's journey to acknowledgement of his anxiety comes hand in hand with his growth as a character which is so exquisitely illustrated, in a sense that you feel at one with Connell and his pain
, immense and inescapable pathos is evoked regarding his mental decline following the death of Rob
. The ability to see the two characters grow, learn and adapt to the world around them is so remarkable in relation to the rapport you, as a reader, develop with Marianne and Connell. Being able to see them both develop from the setting of school to university is something impeccably done by Rooney as it appeals to such a significant period in a young persons life. Rooney's control over language is flawless and
 emotive as  the emotions of the characters are almost transferrable to the reader; I truly consider Marianne and Connell to be the best written characters I have ever read- I feel for them as I do for myself. I underlined so many phrases that related and reached out to me as an individual; such including the beauty of Connell and Marianne's relationship and their love for one another, as well as the embedded commentary regarding class. How can you not give 5 stars to Rooney simply for the line I'm not a religious person but I do sometimes think God made you for me.
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