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Sally Rooney's Normal People

Apprehensive about reading this book as I didn't understand the hype. Initially I preferred Connell as a character as he seems genuine. Rooney constantly narrates on the pretentiousness of others yet protagonist Marianne fits said description perfectly. Is Rooney doing this intentionally because it doesn't sound like it.

Despite other people's comments saying why is their love so difficult, I understood the concept of not being compatible with the person you grew to love as a teenager. Although I was doubtful of this book I found a lot of similarities with myself.

I enjoyed the university setting and it resonates with the target audience.

The metaphors used to describe the pair and their relationship were also enjoyable. Not too cliche but not too pompous in uniqueness.

The book jumps further in time, leaving sizable gaps however, this is done well and the reader is never left thinking wait what happened in that space of 6 months? The chapters hand you the key moments and often leave you wanting to read on.

Notably, I found that within my pessimistic self I enjoyed that Marianne envies Connell.

The ending seemed as though it was going to turn into a cliche romance novel yet the last moments prevent this.

Overall, I now understand the hype.

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