what i think about normal people

i have had covid these past two weeks and during my isolation at home i spent a lot of time watching movies that have been on my growing list, practicing music, reorganizing my room, cleaning out my closet, and reading. i know this probably comes as a huge shock because most, if not everyone, knows that i do not particularly like reading, and i am quite bad at it.

however, during these ten days of isolation i thought why not try and finish a book. so not only did i finish reading the song of achilles i also started and finished all of normal people by sally rooney in one day. i know to some this is not that impressive, but for me, i was pretty proud.

even more than my excitement for finishing the book, i actually fell in love with it. i felt like one of those people who writes reviews on amazon saying they "couldn't put it down" or "it was such a page turner" but in reality, it really was.

Pretty much the book is about two kids, marianne and connell and their love story. the book follows them along through the end of high school and to college explaining the situation and status of their relationship at various moments throughout this time. first, sally has such an interesting way of writing, she does not use quotations when someone is speaking, which seems like it would be confusing at first, but actually my mind found it easy, if not easier, to follow and stay engaged with. she explains the story so beautifully and precisely. the book is not lengthy, but rooney can so so much in so little.

i usually do not like the idea of idealizing a love story, but this one feels so normal (haha get it... anyways) it is not dramatic in the sense that the boy ends up flying across the world just to tell the girl he loves her, and there's no speaker holding man outside the window type love confession, it is a raw and natural depiction of what being interested in someone during this time of life is like.

i genuinely wish that i could read this book for the first time again. it made so much sense and rooney made me feel like i was in their world, going to Trinity with them.

some of my favorite/key moments:

1. when connell defends marianne while helen is being completely out of line and insulting her. he's a great friend, he protects her when she's not around and reminds me of why best friends are the best.

2. when marianne has any interaction with her brother, alan, because she is so calm, confident, and smart about how to tag back at his insults. she knows he's wrong and does not get emotional or instigate more of the fight. she is so poised and powerful, something i hope i one day am because i've been told i get too passionate about the things i care about, and i have a hard time defending myself. any-whooo.

when connell goes to therapy. i felt for him, and it was interesting to see his character shift from being so stable headed and calm to vulnerable. it was almost reassuring knowing that rooney could write a character who not only i, but so many other kids relate to. it's hard to open up about how you feel, and him filling out the questionnaire form is too accurate.

3. new years (spoiler) when connell kisses marianne in front of the school friends because it shows how much he has truly grown as a character and person.

moral of the story, this book makes me feel sane. it makes me feel like all the things that make me out of place, are just parts of me that fit into a puzzle that i haven't even started. any-who, i highly recommend this book. it's an easy read, it's funny, it's heartbreaking, and it is one that i will honestly read again.