this book was absolutely charming and really pulled at my heartstrings. the only other work i had read of sally rooney’s before this novel was her short story “Unread Messages”, and i would say that her writing style in that and Normal People are pretty equivalent (although i do think “Unread Messages” has a more distant narrator than this novel). i can definitely see why some people would dislike her style, but i personally loved it. it’s so character-centric, so smooth/effortless, so simultaneously emotional and devoid of emotion. i was never at any point bored of the almost plotless nature of the story.

my favorite part is by far the characters: connell and marianne both feel like such real and authentic people, and this book was not afraid to dig deep into their flaws as people. my only qualm is that i felt the ending was slightly unsatisfactory? but at the same time, i’m not sure what other ending would work well (i am beginning to find that slightly unsatisfactory endings are maybe just a common feature of contemporary fiction — maybe unsatisfactory endings are just better reflective of real life?)

would recommend!! a beautiful and quick read