“Marianne had the sense that her real life was happening somewhere very far away, happening without her, and she didn’t know if she would ever find out where it was or become part of it.”
Normal People by Sally Rooney is a novel about the complicated relationship between characters Connell and Marianne. It explores deep societal themes like identity and class differences in their interactions throughout high school and college in Ireland. Rooney’s writing has a simple style but has emotional depth, which makes her a popular contemporary fiction author. Normal People was also adapted into a TV show in 2020, starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal.
At the heart of Normal People is its exploration of power dynamics. Connell is well-liked but insecure about his working class background, while Marianne, who is always alone, struggles with her image despite being upper class. Rooney shows how their class differences and personal insecurities affect their relationship; how they treat each other and those around them. The novel alternates between perspectives of both characters, which highlights the lasting impact they have on each other.
I enjoyed this book because the themes felt especially relevant to “normal people.” The characters’ struggles with their identities and society’s expectations felt important to read about and acknowledge. While I didn’t like the ending, I think it made it more realistic and true to life, leaving me with a mix of thoughts and emotions because it wasn’t really a conclusion. The abruptness of it added a layer of authenticity, reflecting how relationships can be complex and unresolved, which made the story even more impactful.
“They’ve done a lot of good for each other. Really, she thinks, really. People can really change one another.”