'Normal People' by Sally Rooney intricately weaves the emotional tapestry of Marianne and Connell, two Irish teens from contrasting social backgrounds whose lives remain intertwined through the years. Their connection oscillates between friendship, love, and heartache, reflecting the complexities of modern relationships. As they navigate the challenges of adolescence and adulthood, deep-seated insecurities and societal pressures threaten to pull them apart. Rooney's sharp prose delves into themes of intimacy, identity, and the nuances of communication. Will they ever find a way to truly understand each other, or are they doomed to remain 'normal people' forever at the mercy of their circumstances?
By Sally Rooney
Published: 2020
"We’re all just trying to make sense of the world around us, and each other."
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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“We’re all just trying to make sense of the world around us, and each other.”
Normal People
By Sally Rooney
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Sally Rooney is an acclaimed Irish author known for her insightful exploration of contemporary relationships and social dynamics. Her notable works include the bestselling novels 'Conversations with Friends' (2017) and 'Normal People' (2018), both of which have received numerous accolades and adaptations for screen. Rooney's writing style is characterized by its sharp dialogue, psychological depth, and keen observations of human behavior, often blending intimacy with the complexities of modern life.
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