Normal People

Sally Rooney, Normal People. A Novel, (2018)

This book by Sally Rooney received considerable attention and recognition when it was published. Perhaps part of the appeal of Normal People is the enthralling way Rooney presents the roller coaster relationship of Connell and Marianne. The story is a brutally honest depiction of what normal life can be. Connell and Marianne come from very different backgrounds, but their respective paths continually intertwine and throughout the trials of their respective lives they always end up close together again. Growing up in Sligo country of Ireland both end up travelling to Europe as well as moving to Dublin for university. There is no reason that these two should end up sharing such similar paths but as with all people some things do not always make sense.

The story traces their relationship from later years in school through university over the course of a few years (January 2011 through to February 2015). It makes perfect material for dramatization, as the recent adaptation that started airing in April 2020 suggests. The book itself offers a beautiful description of some of the darker moments of life just as much as the euphoric happiness in loving relationships. This is not a happy story per se and is not concluded in an all-encompassing warm ending, but it is hopeful. Most readers would find themselves yearning to find out more about the relationship between Connell and Marianne but as with life, rarely is anything that simple.

The story considers so many aspects of life that almost everyone will encounter. There is school drama, relationship troubles, sexual discovery, mental health, and family problems all within a story of two individuals pursuing their own respective successes. In addition, Rooney situates this within a dynamic world, the lives of Connell, Marianne and the supporting characters are impacted by the contemporary events and it almost reads as a biography. Both Connell and Marianne have their pages and describe their thoughts in their respective sections. Connell is from a working-class family and Marianne is from much a wealthier background, and the separate sections show their differing perspectives on life. Their experiences are also separated even though they go through much of life together.

As suggested, Rooney does a fantastic job of creating one story out of two intertwined lives. The early pages show how unlikely these two should be at forging such a related path, but this is perhaps why I found the book to be so enthralling. Sometimes narratives can be teleological, working towards a comforting end. Rooney does not do this in Normal People, while the end is not perhaps surprising it leaves space for more and throughout the story there are unexpected twists and turns. More so there are vivid descriptions of both main characters experiences both negative and positive. This is a presentation of the bumpy road of life even when two individuals seem inexplicably tied together. Both Connell and Marianne are ‘normal people’ but also exceptional in their ways and this book serves as a reminder that everyone is unique and has their own path to forge.

Rooney’s writing style is engrossing, and the pacing of the book allows reading in smaller sections. The popularity of the book is unsurprising just as much as the televised adaptation. This book will have sections that resonate with any reader. In addition, certain characters will inspire certain reactions from readers that are always the sign of a well written story. Despite the ups and downs, the relationship between the two main characters is so beautifully covered that while the events and offshoot narratives are entertaining readers will be drawn to finding out what happens next.