Normal People
"Connell and Marianne grew up in a 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 happens."
Normal People by Sally Rooney is an interesting read. The writing style does not utilize quotations to mark a character speaking, but instead relies on the reader to pick up the flow of conversation.
This one was hard for me to read, as the characters seemed incredibly icy and unrelateable. They his themselves from each other, and in turn the reader. To the point that most of their personalities and desires could be considered up for interpretation.
The tone is very objective, like it is intentionally trying to be devoid of the very real emotions lying just beneath the surface. It is a story of two people who cannot escape one another's gravity, but let their emotional unavailability get in the way at every turn. These are two incredibly damaged individuals who, in the end, do not develop or grow in many ways at all.
I feel like this entire book may be up for interpretation and it was very difficult for me to get through. I feel that, in 20 years, college literature courses may be dissecting it bit by bit for deeper meaning and literary technique.
However, I'm afraid to report, this was my least favorite read of the year (2022) and I wouldn't personally recommend it for most people.