Normal People: A Novel (Unabridged)
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4.0 • 822 Ratings
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- $12.99
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
COMING TO HULU APRIL 29, 2020 • NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “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).
ONE OF THE TEN BEST NOVELS OF THE DECADE—Entertainment Weekly
TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR—People, Slate, The New York Public Library, Harvard Crimson
AND BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR—The New York Times, The New York Times Book Review, O: The Oprah Magazine, Time, NPR, The Washington Post, Vogue, Esquire, Glamour, Elle, Marie Claire, Vox, The Paris Review, Good Housekeeping, Town & Country
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.
Praise for Normal People
“[A] novel that demands to be read compulsively, in one sitting.”—The Washington Post
“Arguably the buzziest novel of the season, Sally Rooney’s elegant sophomore effort . . . is a worthy successor to Conversations with Friends. Here, again, she unflinchingly explores class dynamics and young love with wit and nuance.”—The Wall Street Journal
“[Rooney] has been hailed as the first great millennial novelist for her stories of love and late capitalism. . . . [She writes] some of the best dialogue I’ve read.”—The New Yorker
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Irish novelist Sally Rooney follows her phenomenal debut, Conversations with Friends, with this haunting story of two friends who are sometimes more, sometimes less. Set in Ireland during the early-2000s economic downturn, Normal People examines the complicated bond between Marianne and Connell, whose relationship shape-shifts as they move through their small-town high school and, later, Trinity College in Dublin. Irish actress Aoife McMahon moves seamlessly between the two main characters’ voices as Rooney explores heavy themes like domestic violence, mental illness, and alcoholism with a light touch and fierce intelligence. This novel is as beautiful, curious, and devastating as real life.
Customer Reviews
I would give it 3 1/2 if I could
The ending to this book satisfied me and concluded the story well. The constant entanglement between the two protagonists is enveloping, and allowed me to reflect on my own relationships. I felt there was a little bit of cheap writing towards the end with Maryanne and her brother, I felt that could have been done differently.
Simply the best
I love how Sally is able to tell such a typical story so interestingly and beautifully. It’s both relatable and familiar. This is definitely my favorite book.
C-o-m-m-u-n-I-c-a-t-e!
Good writing but really I hate when the protagonists are supposed to have this great connection, but can’t seem to be vulnerable or truthful with each other.
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