Normal People by Sally Rooney

Normal People by Sally Rooney Book Summary

BOOK SCORE
4
TOTAL RATINGS
4,855
BOOK PRICE
$12.99

NOW AN EMMY-NOMINATED HULU ORIGINAL SERIES • NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “A stunning novel about the transformative power of relationships” (People) from the author of Conversations with Friends, “a master of the literary page-turner” (J. Courtney Sullivan).
 
ONE OF THE TEN BEST NOVELS OF THE DECADE—Entertainment Weekly

TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR—People, Slate, The New York Public Library, Harvard Crimson

AND BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR—The New York TimesThe New York Times Book Review, O: The Oprah Magazine, Time, NPR, The Washington Post, Vogue, Esquire, Glamour, Elle, Marie Claire, Vox, The Paris Review, Good Housekeeping, Town & Country

Connell and Marianne grew up in the same small town, but the similarities end there. At school, Connell is popular and well liked, while Marianne is a loner. But when the two strike up a conversation—awkward but electrifying—something life changing begins.

A year later, they’re both studying at Trinity College in Dublin. Marianne has found her feet in a new social world while Connell hangs at the sidelines, shy and uncertain. Throughout their years at university, Marianne and Connell circle one another, straying toward other people and possibilities but always magnetically, irresistibly drawn back together. And as she veers into self-destruction and he begins to search for meaning elsewhere, each must confront how far they are willing to go to save the other.

Normal People is the story of mutual fascination, friendship and love. It takes us from that first conversation to the years beyond, in the company of two people who try to stay apart but find that they can’t.
 
Praise for Normal People
 
“[A] novel that demands to be read compulsively, in one sitting.”The Washington Post

“Arguably the buzziest novel of the season, Sally Rooney’s elegant sophomore effort . . . is a worthy successor to Conversations with Friends. Here, again, she unflinchingly explores class dynamics and young love with wit and nuance.”The Wall Street Journal

“[Rooney] has been hailed as the first great millennial novelist for her stories of love and late capitalism. . . . [She writes] some of the best dialogue I’ve read.”The New Yorker

Normal People Book Details

Book Name Normal People
Genre Fiction & Literature
Author Sally Rooney
Published 16 April 2019, Tuesday
Price $12.99
E-Book Size 2.36 MB

Normal People by Sally Rooney Book Reviews

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StephTron5

Raw. Realistic in the sense of how woman can lost in their sexuality. Being an object and not having a real connection with most. Almost drifting through a relationship to the next. Trying to find that feeling you once had. Not sure if it’s you or them. Is love possible again? What does love mean? I wanted there to be a second sappy series but it’s okay not to get closure. It’s realistic and I love that!

Mymyswag123

Better the second time I read it. Something about her writing just speaks to me. I reread it in one night a few months later and liked it even more

Livvyoe

Sally Rooney does it again. Another book that took my heart and spit it up into pieces. I love her writing. I can understand it isn’t for everyone, but it’s truly my favorite.

Lujainmms

2 stars bcs i feel bad. Please don't waste your time. I'm not convinced this many people love this book? Don't even know what the 2 stars im giving is for, probably just because I like the main characters. Other than that this was a total failure I had to force myself to finish it.. From the writing style first, it was giving i want to be creative but not sure how. Nothing interesting at all happens? Mental health is barely mentioned like what's even the point of the story? Why mention the main character's struggling while ignoring the important parts lile abuse? Depression? Talked abt in like 5 pages lol. Characters poorly described too , it's like the writer herself doesn't knw what their personalities are. The ending was so badly written and boring!

Mattywatty13

😭😭😭😭. I loved it from start to finish. Had some dull moments but I think it still made me love the book more, weirdly. The story is really really relatable- at least for me. I found myself in both characters. The ending is ok, very ambiguous. Still touched and tugged me at the heart strings. Honestly did not want the story to end.

Paigeo32

Wow. I loved this book, with all my heart. I dont think ive ever relateed to characters more about self identification and trying to find love. The ending pisses me off but still a good read.

Sua from san diego

This quote🥴. “I’m not a religious person, but sometimes I think god made you for me”.

OhsoTay

So many emotions. I love the emotions tied up in this book. Even though I wanted to scream at the communication issues these two had, sometimes that is just reality and some people can’t face it. It was unique to read it all play out. I loved it

MeNotYou1972

Not for me. Apparently I’m in the minority on this one, but nothing about this book appealed to me even a little bit.

Scelee

Perfect. Beautiful and relatable

0nlyniyah

(slight spoiler) I think the book was just ok.. i see a little bit of myself in marianne at the end when she starts to question his love for her and how she says she doesn’t understand why people would want to be completely independent when you can lean on 1 person and completely depend on them so i resonate with that part , but the entire book as a whole brought a lot of frustration

Theonlypat89

Wonderful. This was wonderful. I love how deftly Ms. Rooney weaves back and forth between perspectives, how beautifully the story plays out over time, and the honest and authentic the characters feel.

LillieAnderson

Not terrible. This book wasn’t horrible, but yet it wasn’t that great either. It was just okay

Gigib123123

not worth the money.. absolutely hated the ending. there is literally no closure in any way in this book. so boring.

Nhhhhhhgccv

I couldn’t finish it. I felt like the book lacked purpose & the story line was too long.

BrockH1

Brilliant.. What a brilliant, brilliant way of portraying anxiety and self doubt in an individual that often comes in the way of relationships. Read the book in two days, don’t think I’ll ever come across another book quite like this one.

Brisk branch

Break my heart again. Heartbreaking but worth the emotional turmoil

Michi0395

I loved the book. I love how deeply into the minds of Connell and Marianne the writer goes but , when it comes towards the end I felt it was a little more to say.. I don’t know. The ending in the show gave me more closure but, again, maybe that’s what the writer wanted, to let the possibly out there for Connell and Marianne to be together one day..

Apryla

Should’ve been called useless people. I was into this book until the end when it seemed like the author just gave Connell a free pass from all the hurt he inflicted upon Marianne. He used her for sex and was at times kind of repulsed by her but yet he kept going back to her when he needed something emotionally. He was ashamed of her and made her feel bad about herself over and over again. It was a very messed up relationship. He was not a good person. He was weak, wish washy and a coward and just fell into things instead of actively going after things with a goal. And yet the author actually wants us to view him as some kind of savior to Marianne just because he threatened her brother. Sorry you don’t get absolution from YEARS of knowingly outright emotionally abusing someone from one act. Marianne was very mentally unstable (I can only deduce that it was due to sexual abuse from her father which made her mother blame her and treat her terribly. Her brother abused her emotionally and physically but not quite clear if there was also sexual abuse towards her along the way - not sure because the author never explains. The mother is pretty much absent throughout the book and the father has long since died so we are given nothing to work with there and thusly must draw our own conclusions). Marianne feels she deserves to be mistreated in every way by everyone she comes in contact with. This was a tough read due to all those issues. You can only endure so much soul crushing negativity before you feel like you have to save yourself. I wish I could scrub my mind from some of the stuff in this book. This is basically just two damaged people who inflict their extreme dysfunction on one another over and over ad naseum. Finally it appears that Connell may be getting on with his life but next thing you know he and Marianne are living together and everything is perfect (how?! She all of a sudden woke up one day and said ya know I should be useful and get a job and try to function in the world like other people? So ridiculous! She needed a lot of therapy and medication and yet nope! She just fixes herself?! Why then? Why not before then? So bizarre) until the author can’t help herself and she throws these two into another conundrum where they can’t quite get on the same page. At some point you gotta move on and these two just can’t quit one another. If you’re a miserable person with no redeeming qualities this might be the book for you. Everyone else - find something different. This will only leave you infuriatingly frustrated.

Di48

Great read. Good book, enjoyed it very much

Ramsey B.

Great book!. Great all the way through, ending will stick with me.

Mariahcarey21

Taught me about Real life relationships. I’m 18 and I just came off from reading John green and Harry Potter so this was like my first real adult book. It taught me about real life relationships and how everything isn’t black and white with a damsel in distress and a knight in shining armor coming to save her. It was messy, intense at times, and very depressing; yet it’s also a coming of age story where each person grew up stronger and very different because of each other’s existence in their life. It showed the true gray sides of a modern love story. Sally Rooney taught me that love is not always what you think it might be.

Tatatatatatdbfdnfndls

it was okay. i hate marianne, i had to say it.

Hazelsmith614

LOVE. I adored this book. It was an honest portrait of human relationships and how your view of yourself and the way you’re treated can affect those relationships.

Renee emory

I was left frustrated. I read this in 2 days so yes I was drawn in and obsessed. I related to everything, the writing was beautifully done and I loved the characters. And everything was ruined at the very last page. Truly heartbreaking, yes. But not the way you’d want a book heartbreak.. maybe I just love happy endings :/

Lyss R.

Absolutely Stunning. Sally Ronney’s style is something completely apart. This story is one that stays with me. I loved every word.

Zhrgnuehokdwipydmdkfajhdnhcn

Highly recommend!. Amazing book. Very compelling characters and story line. I felt the emotions of the characters so deeply and really related to the story line

Maddiebarker

3.5/4. Normal People is a surprisingly emotional book. While the writing seems stiff at times what I loved about this book was how I felt while reading. Rooney succeeds at pulling me into the world of the novel and in a relatively short number of pages makes the characters feel very alive. Both of the main characters are deeply flawed and Rooney wastes no time revealing their painful limitations and exploring the effect they have on one another’s lives. It might not be an instant classic, but it’s an interesting story that moves forward at a startling pace. By the time I got to the end of this book I had a feeling the resolution that I was rooting for would not be the ending. I was still almost compelled to read because I just really loved both of these characters despite their flaws.

TrickyThoughts

Normal People. Exceptional book and an exceptional film. Captured many things…brought on so many feelings. I felt myself wanting to know where the relationship platonic or romantic might go next.

KelYea0831

Baffled. I cannot understand for the life of me why this book has such great reviews. The only reason I powered through and finished it was because I thought somehow the experience would improve and because frankly I didn’t want the money I paid for it to be a waste. The dialogue was painful, the “he said” “she said” after every single sentence was actually painful to read. For two people who were so raw with each other, if they’re conversations would’ve lasted longer than a few sentences they might not have misconstrued every single thing the other felt and meant. I hate putting a writing down so badly because I know the author is a real person with real feelings but this was truly an awful read.

Watt pad lova

Absolutely Amazing !. One of the best books I’ve ever read.

B2423

Remarkable, Relatable, Absolutely Stunning. I can’t express how much I absolutely adore this book. The TV show on Hulu and the book are lovely companions to one another. As a fellow person who doesn’t know how to be “normal”, this book shines a light on what makes us human and the difficulties and joys of human connection. Please do read.

Hbbbu

kinda dull. the writing style is nice but it isn’t enough to make up for the lackluster story. I was captivated at certain points but really struggled and still haven’t finished the book.

Created By Paul

Unique, Enthralling, and Catastrophically Emotional. I have to open with saying that I absolutely loved this book. It was heart-wrenching and heartwarming and interesting and fun and sad. It was everything I wanted it to be. It was a little short but I think I only think that because I wish that there was more of it. I simultaneously believe that it is just the right length for the book and any more content would have stretched the characters and story too thinly. I was first introduced to the concept of this book when browsing YouTube. I found the trailer for the Hulu series based on the book and was instantly sold on the idea. Of course I had to read the book first and I am so glad that I did. The story is deeply psychological and a lot of it takes place in the heads of the characters. No matter how good an actor is they can’t come close to portraying the inner workings of the mind in the same way that Sally Rooney does with her writing. There are two unique quirks of the book that a reader should be aware of. First it uses present tense which isn’t too difficult for most readers to get through but it is a deviation from the norm and it took me a couple of pages before I settled into this style of reading. Over the course of the book Sally Rooney’s use of present tense enhances the book by providing a deep divide between the inner thought of the characters in the moment as they forge their relationship forward and their deep ruminations on the past actions that have been taken. I definitely think it was a good choice and my experience was better for it. The second quirk is a little harder to get past. The dialogue does not use any quotation marks at all. I don’t know why the book is like this and it took me some time to get used to this wild deviation from standard writing practice but eventually I did move past it. I wonder if I missed some nuance and intrigue in the opening of the book as my mind adjusted to the new normal of Normal People but there was enough in the rest of the book to satiate my appetite fully. Once I was used to the dialogue reading through it was totally natural.

Marsh1970

Gutted. This book has left me feeling empty, frustrated, and cheated. Rooney drew me in, had me crying in frustration for Marianne and Connell, and left me that way. I reached the end of the book and thought I must be missing pages..whole chapters even! I didn’t realize I would be left gutted without an ounce of hope.

Zhz113

This book touched my heart. The author shows very expertly how hard it is to overcome childhood emotional abuse, even if you have money and seemingly everything else that you can wish for. You will enjoy the book if you feel that most humans are broken but sometimes we can heal.

Sotomiller

Worst Ending Ever. I loved this book and was totally invested in the characters. I read the last page not realizing it was the last page because there was so much still to be resolved. I turned the page to read the next chapter, but instead it was the Acknowledgments. Talk about a letdown.

Allkhat

AMAZING BOOK!. I love this book and would read it multiple times if had the time. Seriously, I would do anything to read this book for the first time again. Please read this, and I will recommend watching this Hulu show afterwords.

Cielo lopez

It was alright. The characters are relatable, I don’t think the point of the story is to climax I think it is simply to be relatable, which the author does very well.

AtomicToaster7

I get what it’s trying to do. The book explores relationships in the form of the two main characters. It is well written and the dynamic between the two main characters makes the book work. However at times these same characters that are supposed to keep your interest act annoying and stupidly. So much for two characters that are supposed to be Uber intelligent. Regardless the book is serviceable it is well written and and easy page turner but could’ve used some character polish and more emphasis on its central theme of relationships.

Ali.kaiser

4.35/5. He would give up on his dreams for her but sh e wouldn’t let him. I do like the characters. The end was special cause he would stay if she wanted him to but she let him go. Their love was selfless in that way. I liked marianne more than conell because he almost never appreciated marianne the way i thought she deserved between hiding her in hs and having a different gf, while she would always be okay with him coming back to her. She never got fed up. He was truly the only person who showed her kindness consistently so it wasnt like she had other options. The power imbalance in the relationship allowed to act how he did from the beginning to end, which was sad to watch for mariannes sake. I also rlly like the trope of disagreeable women not being loved and provokes an interesting discussion of sexism within the realm of relationships.

MacDaddio58

A superb look at young love.... This novel is a gripping, incredibly intimate look at romantic relationships when you are young and how intense they can be. I was continually having flashbacks to my own youthful romances as I was reading it. Kudos to Sally Rooney for writing such an emotionally honest book!

Kfhutntnjdjfhffng

I can only read 13 pages???. Has anyone else experienced this?

Aaron pizza!!

boring. I felt like I was waiting for something big to happen the entire book.

Balletandbooks

Not my favorite. It was kind of hard for me to get through this one. Also the fact that the dialogue is written without quotes makes me crazy. I’ll be curious to watch the Hulu series after reading.

Laurennnn F

Normal People. This book was a great read. I loved diving into the psyche of the characters. Conell uses his love for reading as a way to get closer to other people in his life. It exposes the true evolution of a what makes a writer a great one. From being young and studying your fellow writers works to then using what you’ve learned and writing about your own life experiences. Marianne struggles with insecurities but only with Conell. She presents herself as Marianne with a hard shell to everyone except him. To him, she is vulnerable and open. You watch and see how her life turns and flourishes. You discover with her what it means to be a normal person. I loved the title because throughout the book you ask yourself what defines normal? Rooney’s character choice is brilliant in the sense that both characters are so relatable to anyone who reads the book. It begs the question to me that no one is truly “normal” and isn’t it that we all just live in our own little “abnormal” worlds? The relationship between Marianne and Conell echoes an idealistic yet realistic, amazing, strange, ordinary yet extraordinary relationship. Highly recommend. 🙌

Bookishny

I’d give zero stars if I could. Awful.

Richard Bakare

Unraveling and Mending. Not at all what I expected I was getting into. From the opening 50 pages it is clear that you are in for a lightning fast and dramatic read. There is so much cringe worthy drama and youthful social complexity that will have you either nostalgically reminiscing or regretfully remembering your younger years. The chapters play out so many awkward conversations and exchanges. From these various perspectives, you see that no one really is listening to the people crying out for help. The book also asks if anyone truly say what they mean? Not just to other people, but to themselves, unlocking parts of who they are that they would rather keep buried. In that absence of knowing who or what anyone really is, the book challenges the idea of what “normal people” are really like. All of these questions and more play out against a timeline based narrative style that is refreshing. The time in between chapters works like a named character with a lingering influence. I must add a trigger warning. The material covers some very sensitive topics with graphic descriptions that could upset some readers. It’s all done in the interest of character and plot development but it’s heavy all the same. Like many stories, violence plays an complicated part in the narrative. For me, it mirrors the violent forming and collapsing of the social constructs the two main characters struggle against.

Auntyi206

No closure at all. I can think of 1000 different ways that story could have gone that would have been more satisfying.

BrysonArms

Phenomenal. My title says it all. Read this book please

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Y-D-K-M;/

The impossible yet predictable ending. This book was so incredibly perfect. With all the romantic novels, this one just left me speechless. I got to hate and love the characters so many times that I thought the ending was just such a love gesture.

LWC1412

Normal People. This book was so cliche. We have read this story a hundred times. Boy thinks girl is reacting the opposite of the way she is feeling and they split. Then visa versa. Over and over and over!!! So depressing!!

Mcgheek1214

Quick read. Loved the 2 characters but the plot got repetitive and then the ending was just disappointing. On another note, how is this book listed under “Need a Laugh” category? Did anyone read it first? Definitely not a book that brings laughter.

MrsAPR

Normal People. It was a difficult book to keep reading. Kept wanting to find a point where it was a good read. Finished it, but felt it was too weird a story and a waste of time.

EnglishMajorProblems

Only 300 pages????. I wish I had known I was buying a short story for the price of a full book. Even then, I didn’t enjoy the story, so it’s ok it ended early.

Beverlyelee

Normal People. I find this to be a very interesting book but I also think it took a left turn when she became submissive :actually she was all along but started acting on it with Jamie- I felt unfinished at the end- I wanted more! I liked the two characters and her writing

Gyseil

NORMAL PEOPLE. Such a depressing book and lacked ending.

Wilkesi

NORMAL PEOPLE. This novel is about so many things at once yet the writing cuts through all this density like a thief in the night. Full of amazing honesty, and totally new takes on intimacy and modern life, it is one of the best novels I have ever read.

Metamush

Unique. I liked this book a lot. The plot isn’t incredibly exciting, yet it was a real pager turner. You care for both the characters and root for them, even when they disappoint you.

Asha belle

Normal People. The worst part of this book is that the writer seems to believe that it is a story about deep character development and relationship investigation. When in reality it is a repetitive story of abuse and mental dysfunction. A meaningful use of time might have been a window into the development of self awareness and healing of the two main characters. Sadly this is a pretentious story about the dark world of depression and physical and emotional abuse. Waste of time.

Aneesha leigh

the ending is a bit upsetting. i finished the book in just two days i couldn’t put it down i enjoyed it much more than the show! just i would’ve expected the ending to be a bit more reassuring if you know what i mean. i like the book more in all just i enjoyed the ending in the tv series more. HOPEFULLY THERE WILL BE A SEASON 2

Fam rm

Fair. While the characters’ relationship was well developed and writing was good, I finished reading it thinking what was the point.

Aj.meetsworld

Incredibly Moving. Normal People by Sally Rooney is an exquisite dive into the dynamics of a romantic relationship. Rooney’s writing is smooth and the plot moves at a fast clip. For anyone who loves social commentary on the complicated lives of contemporary romantics, this is for you.

Roberts530

No thanks. I don’t understand why anyone would write a book without proper punctuation. It would have a good storyline, IF I could focus on the story instead of the atrocious lack of grammar. I couldn’t make it through the first chapter.

Crystal_27

Get ccd y jcpccviivuvj. Do iughox(:did I

Col in ny

Absolutely loved this book.. I was so devastated when it ended I kept rereading the last chapters. Highly recommend !

LaurenJHB

Endinn. The story lacked any type of ending. I was searching for what the point of the book was and never found it..

Necie South

Good Read. It was a good read. I enjoyed the book. It kept me anticipating something around the corner. I felt like some big secret was still hidden, but never revealed.

Dirsten

Waste of time. I kept waiting for this book to get interesting. I’m still waiting......

ErikaAnai

Boring but beautifully written.. It’s like reading your teenage diary except edited. Boring but beautifully told.

Pmamaa

Normal people. I have mixed reviews . Quite an Interesting read in the beginning - However, mid way down in the story, I felt author dragged and couldn’t keep my excitement going- At the same time I feel one need to have deep understanding of how important mental health is and what are the struggles of those who suffer from Chronic anxiety in order to understand the story -

Laurennnn F

Normal People. This book was a great read. I loved diving into the psyche of the characters. Conell uses his love for reading as a way to get closer to other people in his life. It exposes the true evolution of a what makes a writer a great one. From being young and studying your fellow writers works to then using what you’ve learned and writing about your own life experiences. Marianne struggles with insecurities but only with Conell. She presents herself as Marianne with a hard shell to everyone except him. To him, she is vulnerable and open. You watch and see how her life turns and flourishes. You discover with her what it means to be a normal person. I loved the title because throughout the book you ask yourself what defines normal? Rooney’s character choice is brilliant in the sense that both characters are so relatable to anyone who reads the book. It begs the question to me that no one is truly “normal” and isn’t it that we all just live in our own little “abnormal” worlds? The relationship between Marianne and Conell echoes an idealistic yet realistic, amazing, strange, ordinary yet extraordinary relationship. Highly recommend. 🙌

Lbateague

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Kbliki

What was the fuzz about. What a waste of time reading this book. Horrible ending, even worse than the book itself.

Tiffea

Absolutely beautiful. This novel sent me through a whirlwind of emotions. It was all such a roller coaster, but the author ties everything together so beautifully. I love how real it all is

56696767

Couldn’t Put It Down!. Accurate portrayal of young people in contemporary society and the affects romantic relationships can have. Characters so realistic you can completely understand their thought processes and feelings. Instant classic!

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Henrycupcake .3.

An easy read. This is going to be a polarizing book. I mean, I think I liked it. And I say "liked it" in the sense that it made me very miserable. It is a quiet character study, almost a YA novel but not quite, and it is a profoundly lonely and depressing love story. I didn't begin by liking it. Normal People follows two characters - Marianne and Connell - through adolescence and into early adulthood, and they begin by being the kind of uber-precocious teenagers who read Proust and Marx for fun. It took a while for me to settle into their story. My initial impression was that this was going to be some kind of John Green for adults, which is not something that floats my particular boat. Without fully realizing it though, this book had crept quietly under my skin. The relationship between Marianne and Connell is angsty, sure, but it felt painfully real. They are so flawed, marred by unlikable characteristics, and yet, I could not stop caring about them. Not for the first time Marianne thinks cruelty does not only hurt the victim, but the perpetrator also, and maybe more deeply and more permanently. You learn nothing very profound about yourself simply by being bullied; but by bullying someone else you learn something you can never forget. The story is really just about the two of them and their relationship. In high school, Marianne is a smart and wealthy girl, but is socially ostracized and emotionally abused at home, whereas Connell is working class, but very popular. Connell's mum works as a cleaner for Marianne's family. They begin a secret sexual relationship that falls apart when Connell fears his friends will find out. The compelling dynamic between them drives the story-- issues of class and social status cause much conflict. In college, the two meet again. This time, Marianne is popular, and Connell is feeling increasingly depressed. The two of them lean on each other time and again as they move through a social world filled with social expectations. There's a bit of a When Harry Met Sally vibe, except that this book is more soul-destroying. Nothing had meant more to Rob than the approval of others; to be thought well of, to be a person of status. He would have betrayed any confidence, any kindness, for the promise of social acceptance. There's clear criticism of our constant need to impress and perform for others in a world that grows ever more connected. Much of the tragedy that befalls Marianne and Connell is caused by other people, peer pressure and social expectations. It is very sad to think that someone might give up who they love the most because they can't deal with how it makes them look to others. The pair's inability to adequately communicate is frustrating but feels realistic. I was on the verge of tearing my hair out at all the things left unsaid in this book, but I think it was a good kind of frustration. The kind that comes from caring too much. I feel like there are any number of reasons I could have hated Normal People, but I didn’t. I actually kinda loved it. It's a weird, awkward, depressing novel about a connection formed between two very different people who find exactly what they need - and perhaps a lot that they don't - in each other. CW: sexual assault; domestic abuse; drug use; casual racism (called out); depression; anxiety; suicide & suicidal ideation.

Raelatendress

Dissatisfied. The lack of punctuation is astonishing. Complete waste of money.

Doug funnie

Hmm.. I've just finished, and I'm surprised I could based on how quickly I almost put it down, solely due to the grammar and punctuation. Despite these constant and glaring writing flaws (it's a tense change mess), the author is able to tell a story that admittedly keeps a hold on you so that you see it out. She's able to do this through the realism of the two main characters, their bond, and the occasional insightful line (though for every hit there is a shallow miss) about the way the world works. The characters' inner dialogue while talking to each other, expressed on page, is so hypersensitive that it becomes somewhat unbelievable that they can't say what they mean to each other, and the large time gaps between chapters seem unrealistic and artificially spread out the story over 4 years or so. Solid average read if you can excuse the grammar and punctuation flaws.

WilkeJD24

Solidly Average. Solidly average read. Liked the premise of it and found it to be thought provoking but found the ending to be lacking.

Hitmebbyondmore time

I wanted to like it. The characters are complex which I like, I tried so hard to like the book, but I couldn’t even though I still think it’s a good book

Mariahcarey21

Taught me about Real life relationships. I’m 18 and I just came off from reading John green and Harry Potter so this was like my first real adult book. It taught me about real life relationships and how everything isn’t black and white with a damsel in distress and a knight in shining armor coming to save her. It was messy, intense at times, and very depressing; yet it’s also a coming of age story where each person grew up stronger and very different because of each other’s existence in their life. It showed the true gray sides of a modern love story. Sally Rooney taught me that love is not always what you think it might be.

Mbh139

Vile: the only word to describe this book.. I cannot fathom that any human being would enjoy this book after the ending. Credit where credit is due, the writing draws you in and leaves you breathless and has filled me with so many emotions that I have to acknowledge is widely accepted as “successful writing”, but the number one emotion I feel is rage. The ending leaves the reader here with no possibility otherwise: Within the next three years of her life, Marianne will either kill herself or be strangled to death by a man in the bedroom with little or no objection from herself. Connell, will continue to become yet another man in her life who emotionally uses and abuses Marianne until her said death, where he will then kill himself as a reaction. This was a perverse hijacking of mental health issues to write a book. Normal People was written by Sally Rooney to see how deeply down the chasm of abuse, despair, self loathing, and hopelessness she could exploit two characters to sell books. It is repulsive. Do not read it.

Shirlsan

So different from what I could ever think it to be.. I can’t pinpoint exactly what this story is about but What I can say is it is about two young people who go through love in a sort of complicated way... but love is what continues to hold them together even when they’re apart. No one is normal and they certainly are not- but I think that’s why this title is so perfect. I very much enjoyed reading this story.

Heartisanite

Totally Enrapturing, but Disappointing End. I have to give Rooney credit in that I read this all in one sitting and couldn’t put it down for a second. The way she writes the main characters makes you feel as though you’re learning some secret gossip about the popular kids at your school, and it is addicting the whole way through. My problem is that the ending of the book feels without conclusion. It almost seems like Marianne and Connell’s story concludes years and years down the line, leading us to some greater lesson about love and friendship that happens long after the last page. Perhaps the author wanted us to fill in the conclusion ourselves, or perhaps that is just the way intensely passionate relationships end sometimes, but either way, it’s unsatisfying.

ChelsW

I want my day back!. It was depressing and disheartening. No clean ending or feeling of resolution.

DansReadingBooks

Hard to put down. Not one for love stories but this one showed the complexities that come with an relationship

Livvcyr

omg.. So so so so amazing I could not stop reading. BEST BOOK

Lauer power

Horrible. I kept thinking, geez this book has to get better. No such luck😌

Mih_Hall

Exhausting but good!. I really enjoyed this book, but boy was it EXHAUSTING. You’ll root and want the best for the two main characters, but they seem to be their own worst enemies at times. They’re both young and dealing with some major anxiety issues, so some of their behavior and silly decision making is understandable, but it can be a bit much. I will agree with some other reviewers that the book doesn’t really say anything, which for me isn’t all that bothersome, but a bit surprising considering some the topics it, at times, superficially covers.

Danad429

Painfully, beautifully real. Normal People spoke to me in a way a novel has not in a very long time. I felt the character’s pain and applaud the novel’s vulnerability.

Scripturegirl8

Gets to the absolute core of these two characters. A deep, indelible portrait of the connection between two people through every stage of their young lives. Also, a poignant reflection on mental health - probably the best portrait of living with chronic anxiety I’ve ever read.

Chanelle_G_7289

Complex love story. I am giving this book 4 stars because I am a sucker for love story novels. It follows two characters from high school to after college intermixed with politics, social class, etc. sometimes felt a little random when author throws in political references which don’t necessarily have anything to do with the plot which interrupted the flow of the story. But it was an interesting read and would recommend.

Balogun.CT

Boring and unimpressive. I kept waiting for the book to happen. What’s worse, I couldn’t connect with the perspective of any of the key characters. Marianne and Connell’s relationship seemed like a real waste and lacking in substance.

Rydogg360

I don’t get it. How is it ok to publish a novel that doesn’t follow basic grammar? I couldn’t get past it... this writing wouldn’t pass sixth grade.

JmeBullock

Loved every minute!. Such a great read, could not put it down!

Cubbie1342

Honestly Beautiful. I was hooked and loved every minute of it! I felt the pull and struggle of these two characters as if they were part of my family. It was as real a story as I’ve ever felt.

Terrience

Great book. Thought I wouldn’t like it and then I couldn’t put it down

Sally Rooney - Normal People Comments

5 Books like Normal People (Sally Rooney)

About Author "Sally Rooney"

Sally Rooney (born 20 February 1991) is an Irish author and screenwriter. She has published three novels: Conversations with Friends (2017), Normal People (2018), and Beautiful World, Where Are You (2021). The first two were adapted into the television miniseries Normal People (2020) and Conversations with Friends (2022). Rooney's work has garnered critical acclaim and commercial success, and she is regarded as one of the foremost millennial writers. Time named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2022. Early life and education Rooney was born in Castlebar, County Mayo, in 1991, where she also grew up and lives today, after studying in Dublin and a stint in New York City. Her father, Kieran Rooney, worked for Telecom Éireann and her mother, Marie Farrell, ran an arts centre. Rooney has an older brother and a younger sister. She studied English at Trinity College Dublin (TCD), where she was elected a scholar in 2011. She started (but did not complete) a master....

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