“Normal People” is a 2018 novel by an Irish author Sally Rooney. The book became a bestseller quickly after it was published, and there are lots of reasons why. It is a fascinating read that will not leave you unimpressed. What is more, there is a very high chance that you won’t be able to put it down which will result in reading this book in just a few days. On the surface, it may seem like it’s another teenage/college drama or a coming of age novel. It is written in a very easy to read manner which makes the book even more enjoyable and appealing. However, so much more can be found deep down if you start digging and analyzing the situations and character’s reactions in the book. Well, let’s start from the beginning and move forward step-by-step while talking about the main characters of the book who show what it’s like to be young and in love, as well as prove that we all are, in fact, normal people.
What is the book about?
The story revolves around two main characters – Connell and Marianne who are teenagers at a school in Ireland. They come from different families. However, soon enough they become friends and start to hook up in secret. Later, both of them decide to go to Trinity College Dublin. Even though they are no longer a couple at that point, they run into each other very often. What is more, they find a way to stay in each other’s lives no matter what they do or how far they are from one another. The main focus of the book is on the intense bond between Connell and Mariane which no one and nothing can break.
Reception
The book was very well received both by readers and by literary critics. The novel was longlisted for the Booker prize in 2018. Apart from that, The Guardian put it on the 25th place on their list of 100 best books of the 21st century.
One of the most notable things the majority of critics mention when they are talking about this book is how easy it is to read, as well as how clean Rooney’s prose is. When you are reading “Normal People ‘” it almost feels like you are reading your own thoughts which is a high praise for a book and for its author. Literary critics don’t forget to highlight the fact that even though the whole story may feel like a beautiful trainwreck, you will hardly be able to put it away. The latter is a testament to Sally Rooney’s brilliant writing.
In 2019 the book was adapted for television, and a TV series aired on Hulu and BBC Three on April 26, 2020. In Ireland, the show aired on RTE One.
A future classic
Almost everyone who has read this book describes it as a future classic, and it is not surprising why. The story is captivating. Yet, what is even more important is that everyone can recognize themselves in this book. In other words, the whole book is very relatable for so many people that it is hard to underestimate its importance for current and future generations. “Normal People ” has the potential of becoming a go-to book for all those teenagers who are experiencing the same things Connell and Marianne have experienced. Reading this book may help you understand that the feelings they have are normal, and the way in which they react to such feelings and situations is normal as well. The more books deal with similar issues, the less trooubed and misundersudood teengaers are going to feel. As it turns out, this book actually symbolizes so much more than one can expect having only read the excerpt. “Normal People” was one of the most discussed books of 2018, and it is quite obvious why. In case you have not read it yet, it is time to get down to it right away. There is no doubt you will enjoy it. Perhaps, you will even start reminiscing about the times when you were a teengaer and experienced exactly the same problems. If the world has not heard about Sally Rooney before, the publication of this book has definitely changed that.