WARNING: Misleading title alert! Brace yourselves because this book is anything but normal. Like many, I stumbled upon this literary gem thanks to the relentless TikTok reviews and the siren call of it’s aesthetically pleasing cover. Little did I know that with their inked fingers, Connell and Marriane would leave me feeling delightfully empty. Yes, you read that right- empty in the best possible way.
Rooney’s prose processes a rare authenticity, carving out a space in your mind where thoughts and emotions mingle freely. Her writing is so genuine, so true, so precise. How she can make the “star football player falls for the nerdy girl” storyline anything but cheesy is beyond me. She effortlessly sidesteps cliches, crafting a narrative that pulls you into the heart-achingly tender and complex relationship between Marianne and Connell. Theirs is a dance of intimacy and vulnerability.
Forget plot twists and suspense- Normal People opts for simplicity with a purpose. It’s a character driven novel that delves deep into the labyrinthine corridors of the human psyche. Not to mention, Rooney effortlessly ties in comments on gender roles, socioeconomic disparities, power dynamics, and social status. And oh, the ending! No neatly tied bows here, just the raw, unfiltered essence of life. It’s messy, it’s imperfect, and yet, it’s undeniably beautiful in its chaos.