Contemporary Fiction: Normal People by Sally Rooney

Digital libraries are a thing of beauty. That is how I accessed Normal People by Sally Rooney. I was able to read it on my phone while at the laundromat, while standing in line to vote, and while waiting for friends at a restaurant. Granted, I could do the same with a physical book, but this time all I had to do was close an app and put the phone in my back pocket when I had to pause. Of course, physical books will always be #1 in my heart. 

The Situation: Marianne and Connell are two teenagers in Ireland who go to the same high school. While at school, they pretend to not know each other, though Connell's mother, Lorraine, cleans Marianne's house. At school, Marianne is a bit of an outsider. Though she is smart, really smart, her classmates find her off-putting, and she is often a target for bullies. Meanwhile, Connell is well-liked and somewhat popular. Their social situations at school are different enough that when they begin sleeping together, Connell openly asks that Marianne not tell anyone about it, and Marianne agrees to keep things quiet. The relationship continues this way until Connell asks another girl to the school dance, despite interacting with Marianne in public a few times, even once sticking up for her. The two part ways, and will not reconnect until they see each other in college.

The Problem: Once Connell and Marianne are at attending the same college in Dublin, their roles become somewhat reversed. Marianne is well-liked and has a circle of friends that actually pays attention to what she says, while Connell struggles to find his footing and fit in. The two reconnect, though neither one of them calls what they are doing "dating." Eventually they separate once again, proceeding to date other people and move on with their lives. They still stay in touch, and this constant contact will lead them to years of finding each other again, only to split. During that time, Marianne will go down a destructive path, fueled by her family's cruelty and indifference, and Connell will struggle to find meaning in his own life, all while the two of them continue to orbit around each other, neither of them sure how things will turn out.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a fiction novel set in modern day Ireland. The story begins in January of 2011 when Marianne and Connell are in their last year of high school, and ends in February of 2015 when they are both finishing up with college. Told from a third person perspective, the story switches between the two main characters in alternating chapters. Other than a brief period in college, Marianne remains largely withdrawn socially, though she has no problem attracting men and entering into relationships, though they are not exactly healthy. Connell has his own relationships, but once out of high school, has a harder time making connections with people and feeling like he fits in. For him, the main constants in his life are his mother and Marianne. For Marianne, Connell is a constant, as well her mother and brother, though they are less than supportive. While it seems her brother has nothing better to do than to hurl abuse at his sister, Marianne's mother looks at her as if the poor treatment she receives is her own fault. After a lifetime of this, Marianne seems to believe this is true, carrying her low self-worth into her relationships. Connell and Marianne feel as if they can be themselves around each other, more than they can with anyone else, and it seems this is what keeps drawing them to each other.  

My Verdict: I enjoyed the in-depth look at two lonely people doing their best to not feel lonely, but often failing at it. Even when they reach toward each other, they often miss the mark. Connell is the kind of guy that would be easy to dismiss as a jerk, until you realize how clueless he is...although maybe he is still a jerk. And Marianne is someone many people would find difficult to like, though this is a natural result from a lifetime of ill-treatment at the hands of her family. She may be difficult to like, but she deserves better than what she is given, even from Connell, and he knows it. Beyond the complex protagonists, I also enjoyed the setting of Ireland. The book had an overall feel of taking place in the distant past, even though it begins in 2011, only eight years ago. I cannot decide if this effect is due to it taking place in Ireland, or if there is something about the dynamic between Connell and Marianne that makes everything feel nostalgic and of a different time. Either way, it was a nice effect that somehow lent to the overall depth of the narrative.

Favorite Moment: When it appears the roles are reversed, and Marianne is the one who is popular and makes friends easily, while Connell struggles socially.

Favorite Character: Connell's mother Lorraine is perhaps the hero in this story. She more or less treats her son like an adult and lets him make his own decisions, but does not hesitate to let him know when those decisions are wrong. 

Recommended Reading: I will actually recommend Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman.