I really did try to like this...sorry.
Synopsis: Follows Connell and Marianne first in high school, where Connell is much more popular than well-off Marianne. They begin to form a relationship but Connell is determined to keep it secret to maintain his social standings. A year later, they're both at Trinity college. However now, Marianne is the popular one and Connell sees what it's like to be an outcast. We see the push and pull of their relationship throughout the years and how they go about handling life as young adults.
Plot: I know the summary doesn't sound like much, but that's because it isn't. There was no real plot in this novel besides following characters that are hard to read about. Normally I am fine with a character study but this was just uncomfortable to read and frankly quite boring. I lost count of just how many times they broke up because the pacing was hard to keep up with, as it jumped back and forth. I can appreciate the authors intent to make a "normal" story about "normal people" (no romance fluff here), but there was also no indication of emotion throughout the whole book. Everything felt so in-genuine even though the events seemed "normal" and real. Some parts of the story had beautiful imagery and made me actually stop to read over again but overall there was way too much telling and not showing in the book. Rooney made some okay commentary on love and abuse and life but so unenjoyable to read.
Characters: I felt no real connection between Connell and Marianne. They both kept saying how much they loved each other but I did not see it. The only thing their relationship had was sex and for me I need more emotional connection in a book to root for characters to be together. It's especially hard to root for characters that are so unlikable. Connell and Marianne were both pretty awful people, and the way they treated each other and the other characters in the book was toxic and unpleasant. I understand that the characters were suffering from external and internal sources but I don't think that's a green light to act the way they did in some circumstances. Communicate people.
Supposed to be a realistic love story, but I walked away depressed and uncomfortable.
Sorry Normal People stans, this wasn't it.
TW: suicidal thoughts, depression, abuse, sexual assault, suicide of a friend
2/5 stars.
I also wasn’t too impressed by Normal People. Definitely depressing how poorly every character was treated in the novel, and their bond didn’t seem to be all that special. I did love reading the part when they were at a vacation house in Italy, I could imagine myself there. Still a good quick summer read though!