Longlisted for the 2018 Man Booker Prize and winner of multiple awards, this novel by Sally Rooney captures the essence of love, friendship, and the challenges of growing up in a contemporary context. At school, Connell and Marianne maintain a facade of indifference; he is the popular athlete, while she is an isolated and proud individual. Their connection begins when Connell visits Marianne's home to pick up his mother, leading to a secret bond that they both try to hide. A year later, they find themselves at Trinity College in Dublin, where Marianne adapts to her new social environment, while Connell remains shy and uncertain. Throughout their university years, they navigate their relationship, often drifting toward others but inevitably drawn back to one another. As Marianne descends into self-destructive behavior and Connell seeks meaning in his life, both must confront the lengths they are willing to go to support each other. Rooney's sharp psychological insight and concise prose delve into themes of class, the intensity of first love, and the intricate dynamics of family and friendship.
Normal people, Sally Rooney
Overhyped and overrated. The writing is easy to get through, and I did finish the book quickly. I couldn’t connect to the characters at all and their actions often made no sense. It wasn’t even that I disliked them, I just didnt care. I expected something deeper based on the 5 star reviews, but it’s like just emotional book without logic.
The writing is easy to follow, though readers shouldn’t expect particularly rich or literary language. While the beginning starts off a bit slow, the story quickly gains momentum and soon becomes impossible to put down.
