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Normal People: A Novel

NOW AN EMMY-NOMINATED HULU ORIGINAL SERIES - NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - LONGLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE - "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).

"[A] novel that demands to be read compulsively, in one sitting."--The Washington Post

ONE OF ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY'S TEN BEST NOVELS OF THE DECADE

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

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.

WINNER: The British Book Award, The Costa Book Award, The An Post Irish Novel of the Year, Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award

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

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304 pages

Average rating: 6.74

1,339 RATINGS

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74 REVIEWS

Community Reviews

Raeashley
Nov 15, 2024
9/10 stars
This book destroyed me… they feel very real and very broken. Definitely saw glimpses of myself in both Connell and Marianne, which made this read very difficult. Sally Rooney will leave you deep in your feelings over these characters and that is a good sign of a good book in my opinion.
hideTurtle
Nov 09, 2024
4/10 stars
"Our hearts are bars of soap that we keep losing hold of; the moment we relax, they drift off and fall in love and get broken, all in the wink of an eye." As teens, Connell and Marianne grow (secretly) close. They continue to drift in and out of each other's lives -- codependent and dysfunctional -- as they navigate university life and adulthood. I read this a second time, for a book club. The last time, my assessment was that it was extremely boring. This time, I think I was in a better position to objectively appreciate the beauty of the writing more. The book is filled with quotable passages and very romantic utterances (mostly by Connell - he is the quintessential tortured soul). However, the sheer unhappiness of Connell and Marianne, both separately and together, is excruciating and the personal growth of each is virtually non-existent. I started rooting for the end of their very unhealthy relationship. This is not a bad book. It just wasn't for me.
MelissaWarren_
Oct 27, 2024
1/10 star
I actually hated this
Carla_is_Reading
Oct 24, 2024
8/10 stars
This was a complete observation of human behavior, for me as the reader. Such flawed characters that lead no particular way, but their journey helps readers self reflect on our own behavior.

I wrote a full review on The Lit Buzz to read it click here!
Kierstencora
Oct 10, 2024
4/10 stars
Honestly confused why this book is so acclaimed. The characters had no growth throughout the entire story and I felt they never resolved any of the issues between them? Not for me

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