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Sally Rooney is an Irish novelist known for her literary fiction novels, her first being “Conversations with Friends” published in 2017. Since then, Rooney has published three additional lit-fic novels, her most popular being “Normal People” published in 2018.
The story follows teenagers Marianne Sheridan and Connell Waldron as they navigate the transition from high school to college and adult life, all while fading in and out of each other’s lives. Their pull toward each other seems to be magnetic, at times causing both characters tension in their other interpersonal relationships. Despite periods of isolation and miscommunication, Marianne and Connell can’t get enough of each other, and the story documents their lives from ages 17 to 22, following their personal development and the development of their unconventional relationship throughout these critical years.
Although it may sound like a romance, Marianne and Connell’s story is much more complex. Both characters live through various traumas, experience periods of separation from each other and the world, and find themselves in uncomfortable positions within their sense of self. Rooney’s best-seller explores themes of social class and power dynamics within romantic relationships as well as the journey to self-discovery in early adulthood.
Although not everyone can relate to the chapter of life the characters are living in or the culture of the novel – set in Carricklea and Dublin, Ireland, set in Carricklea and Dublin, Ireland, in the early 2010s, in the early 2010s – the story is so character-driven that it is difficult not to relate to at least fragments of Marianne and Connell’s world. Marianne’s character is greatly influenced by her experience growing up in a wealthy but abusive family, and many of her actions throughout the novel are the result of her crippling self-esteem. Her thoughts, which Rooney shares with the reader often, are frequently those of self-doubt, pity, and feelings of being completely outside of herself and unfamiliar with who she is as a person.
A notable quote, saved thousands of times by readers on Goodreads and other platforms, reads, “Marianne had the sense that her real life was happening somewhere very far away, happening without her, and she didn’t know if she would ever find out where it was or become part of it.” Cherished because of its relatability, fragments of Marianne’s internal dialogue appear on unrelated platforms such as Instagram or TikTok frequently, shared even by non-readers.
Connell’s story is centered around working past the fear of being perceived and releasing the power he gives to the people around him, allowing himself to make choices based on what makes him happy.
A more memorable quote of Connell’s reads, “and there’s something comforting about it, something good about feeling sort of numb, detached from it all.” Connell’s internal struggles are explored throughout the entire novel in a way that all young people can understand and find comfort in.
“Normal People” won the Costa Novel Award in 2018, the Irish Book Award for Novel of the Year in 2018, and the British Book Award for Book of the Year in 2019. The novel was also turned into a Hulu miniseries in 2020 to be enjoyed by readers and non-readers alike.
Rating: 4/5
“Normal People” finds itself on the “favorites” shelf of readers across the world. With it gaining a new wave of popularity on TikTok in 2024, the hype around the novel has yet to die down. It can be appreciated for its complex character development, its relatability, and it’s perfectly paced exploration of human relationships spanning over four years of its protagonists’ lives. However, the story does become repetitive regarding the nature of the central relationship. Some readers find this relatable, but others can find this frustrating and lacking depth. Because of this repetitive cycle, the resolution of the novel felt unsatisfying and almost unresolved. It is also important to note that the author doesn’t use quotation marks for dialogue; this takes some getting used to as a reader.
Overall, Rooney’s “Normal People” is a unique read that discusses heavy themes in a painfully realistic way. For the literary fiction reader, or someone interested in the genre, it is a worthwhile read.
