Normal People
At school Connell and Marianne pretend not to know each other. He’s popular and well-adjusted, star of the school soccer team while she is lonely, proud, and intensely private. But when Connell comes to pick his mother up from her housekeeping job at Marianne’s house, a strange and indelible connection grows between the two teenagers - one they are determined to conceal.
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 in college, Marianne and Connell circle one another, straying toward other people and possibilities but always magnetically, irresistibly drawn back together. Then, 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.
Sally Rooney brings her brilliant psychological acuity and perfectly spare prose to a story that explores the subtleties of class, the electricity of first love, and the complex entanglements of family and friendship.
BUY THE BOOK
Community Reviews
An insightful portrait of two people struggling with "outsider syndrome," self-doubt, and an inability to risk the kind of vulnerability required for genuine communication. In that sense, Connell and Marianne are indeed "normal people," given how difficult and rare it can be for so many people to communicate what they really feel and want, for fear of rejection or misunderstanding.
I almost stopped reading after a few chapters b/c I found the author's handling of dialogue, without any quotation marks, to be off-putting. But I'm glad I stuck with it b/c I found the story compelling. Sad, yes, but shining a light on the consequences not being willing to truly share what's on your heart and mind.
I almost stopped reading after a few chapters b/c I found the author's handling of dialogue, without any quotation marks, to be off-putting. But I'm glad I stuck with it b/c I found the story compelling. Sad, yes, but shining a light on the consequences not being willing to truly share what's on your heart and mind.
First of all...what kind of ending was that?? was I missing a chapter, an epilogue? Second of all, Make decisions to either be together or not! The back and forth was ridiculous! Would not recommend.
thenextgoodbook.com
Normal People by Sally Rooney
273 pages
What’s it about?
Marianne and Connell are high school seniors in a small town in Ireland. Both are impressive students- but Connell is popular with the other kids in his high school class and Marianne is a complete loner. Since Connell's mom works as a cleaning lady in Marianne's house they slowly begin a friendship of sorts. They end up at the same college and we watch this relationship evolve over the years. "Being alone with her was like opening a door away from normal life and then closing it behind him."
What did it make me think about?
So this novel explores some fascinating questions. One of my favorite sayings over the last several years is, "We are the stories we tell ourselves." No novel captures the essence of this phrase as well as Normal People. Marianne and Connell both make up narratives to explain the behavior of the people around them. Often these narratives are wrong. We also see how isolated individuals can feel- even when they are in relationships. The book also explores how relationships in our formative years can influence our future choices. Fascinating stuff!
Should I read it?
YES! Marianne and Connell are both flawed characters- but two of my favorite characters in a long time. This story is all about relationships and I found it thought provoking and extraordinary. This novel would make a great discussion book! Great summer book- beach, rainy day, anywhere!!!
Quote-
"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."
Normal People by Sally Rooney
273 pages
What’s it about?
Marianne and Connell are high school seniors in a small town in Ireland. Both are impressive students- but Connell is popular with the other kids in his high school class and Marianne is a complete loner. Since Connell's mom works as a cleaning lady in Marianne's house they slowly begin a friendship of sorts. They end up at the same college and we watch this relationship evolve over the years. "Being alone with her was like opening a door away from normal life and then closing it behind him."
What did it make me think about?
So this novel explores some fascinating questions. One of my favorite sayings over the last several years is, "We are the stories we tell ourselves." No novel captures the essence of this phrase as well as Normal People. Marianne and Connell both make up narratives to explain the behavior of the people around them. Often these narratives are wrong. We also see how isolated individuals can feel- even when they are in relationships. The book also explores how relationships in our formative years can influence our future choices. Fascinating stuff!
Should I read it?
YES! Marianne and Connell are both flawed characters- but two of my favorite characters in a long time. This story is all about relationships and I found it thought provoking and extraordinary. This novel would make a great discussion book! Great summer book- beach, rainy day, anywhere!!!
Quote-
"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."
Connell and Marianne are schoolmates growing up in Carricklea, Sligo, Ireland. Connell is the popular one -- good-looking, athletic, smart, a friend to all. Marianne is the opposite -- very intelligent, but awkward, does not even try to fit in. They develop an unlikely friendship/"Relationship" because Connell comes to pick up his mom, who works for Marianne's mom as her cleaning lady.
Highlighting the insecurities and shortcomings we all have that lead to the misunderstandings that make navigating friendships and relationships fraught with difficulties, Normal People takes us on their journey as they graduate and mature (somewhat) and try to figure out where they stand with each other.
Highlighting the insecurities and shortcomings we all have that lead to the misunderstandings that make navigating friendships and relationships fraught with difficulties, Normal People takes us on their journey as they graduate and mature (somewhat) and try to figure out where they stand with each other.
See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.