Normal People by Sally Rooney

CAUTION: HEAVY SPOILERS AHEAD!

So. Booktube's darling. I have heard praises all over for this book, and even my friend asked about it when I tweeted about it (though it was primarily over the tv show). 

Normal People is about Connor and Marianne and the shifting dynamics between them that affects their relationship with each other. At the beginning, I was very intrigued by the situation the two main characters were in. Connor was a popular guy, and Marianne was an outcast. They begin a secret relationship that ends very horribly.

Now, as a fanfic reader, I'm a big angst stan. In fact, I DEVOUR angst, I live for angst. But I have to be honest. No matter how "sad" their relationship became it never reached the level of heartbreak Connor not inviting Marianne to the dance had been. The sheer stupidity, broken expectations, miscommunication– that was *chef's kiss*. 

The next few chapters is just them going on and off but never really defining their relationship UNTIL THE VERY END where they are bound to be broken up AGAIN. Sometimes I think they should realize that, "if you try and try and nothing comes of it, perhaps it's time to STOP." Look. They are determined to stay friends, and I wish they did. But any time they were both single (and not, looking at you Connor) they just start having sex and being in an ambiguous relationship. Honestly, I think the only reason they even had a defined relationship by the end is because one of Connor's cousins? nephews? called Marianne Connor's girlfriend. I'm kind of the same age as these characters but they just have so many issues I feel like they shouldn't be dating anyone, let alone each other.

There's also the fact that neither of them are particularly likeable. I found myself rooting for Marianne at the beginning because I felt sorry for her, and I wanted better for her. I wanted Connor to acknowledge her in school. I wanted her brother dead. I wanted Karen to befriend her. But later on... Marianne just became... blah. To be fair to her though, she's a traumatized abuse victim who finally got out and finally had freedom. But that just forced me to confront the fact that the only reason I liked her at the beginning was because I pitied her. Sure she had principles. She was an activist. She genuinely cared about the plight of the disenfranchised. But all of that didn't really become a plot point other than something to argue about for Connor and his current girlfriend. 

Then there's Connor. At the beginning, he was just like any dumb husky main lead. He thought his relationship with Marianne was shameful, leading him to betray her. He didn't even realize how hateful his actions were until later. This I can forgive because he's a teen so engrossed in his high school clout. But then his social standing goes straight to the bottom the moment he goes to Uni, and that was just way too hard for Mr. Popular. In fairness, it was also a lot of insecurity about his economic standing and his difficulties in relating with his richer schoolmates. Much happens with him and Marianne during this period, but the one that stands out to me the most is when he gets a girlfriend and feels superior over Marianne again because his relationship is so "healthy". GET A LIFE. 

Overall, I feel like this novel is a bit too overhyped, or I'm just not into these types of books. Or Dog killed any enthusiasm I could've had for this book.

Rating: 3.5/5*

My Storygraph Review (much nicer than my review here)