normal people one million copies sold sally rooney

It feels like Marianne and Connell are attached by invisible elastic which, no matter what, brings them back to each other. I'm a sucker for a story about star-crossed lovers and characters who are drawn to each other despite all the odds. And yet it's so achingly moving and tender it struck right at the heart of me. No two characters need their heads banging together more than these two. Make no mistake about it, this is a love story but it's a problematic one. The power in the relationship switches between them more than once.

What's interesting as the book progresses is the way their roles reverse, especially when they go to Trinity College in Dublin. When they initially spend time together Connell is the popular guy at school and Marianne is the misfit. She's essentially broken in many ways, not least because of her family. Marianne is bolshy, fierce, yet oh so vulnerable and at times naïve. This is a beautiful story of Marianne and Connell who meet at school in Ireland. I read this book back in April but I've waited until now to review it because I wanted to watch the television adaptation and contrast and compare. I'd still recommend reading if you're looking for something short but with strong character development, however, make sure to avoid if you long for that warm fuzzy feeling you get when you finish a good book, as you just won't get that with this one. It feels like Sally Rooney got bored, gave up and went 'right, that'll do.' The meaningful lessons we saw the characters learn throughout the novel seemed to become redundant, as if they hadn't learned from past mistakes, and it left me thoroughly disappointed.

The last 12 pages thoroughly let this book down. Once I got over the lack of speech marks (ironic considering one of the main characters is an English student and editor), it was thoroughly enjoyable until I got to the last chapter/date entry. Their relationship is intricate and challenging, but really realistic. I read it almost entirely in one sitting, and absolutely loved Marianne and Connell. I wish I could give this book a 5 star review, but I just cannot get over how disappointing the ending was.

Normal people one million copies sold sally rooney