Normal People by Sally Rooney

“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.”

                                                                                                                ― Sally Rooney, Normal People

Photo credit-Goodreads

                                                                            

                Synopsis

Connell and Marianne grow up in the same small town in the west of Ireland, but the similarities end there. In 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.

Review

Rating: ★★★★★

Normal People might just be my favorite book of all times. 

This is one of those books where nothing really happens. Normal People follows Marianne and Connell, and their relationship during high school and college. Their relationship reminds me a lot of the song illicit affairs by Taylor Swift, which is about a secret relationship so intense, but really complicated, and the affair might end badly.

Both of them are deeply flawed characters, but this book makes you care about them, and even relate to them. Personally, I related so much to Marianne, but I also related a lot to Connell. 

Marianne and Connell struggles in the book are mostly because both of them try to meet others expectations, they don’t want to let down others. There are a lot of communication issues between both characters, that is extremely frustrating, but it is realistic. The book is short, but it makes you feel so many intense emotions along every page. The book is just sad and frustrating, especially the ending, but every page of this book is worth it.

Recently, I started the TV show, and so far I’m absolutely loving it!! I might finish the show and reread the book.

I recommend this book if you prefer characters to plot. If you love complex characters with a lot of flaws, trust me, you will love this book.