Fiction
2019 Random House Audio
Read by Aoife McMahon
Finished on August 28, 2020
Rating: 1/5 (Poor)
Publisher's Blurb:
At school Connell and Marianne pretend not to know each other. He’s popular and well-adjusted, star of the school soccer team while she is lonely, proud, and intensely private. But when Connell comes to pick his mother up from her housekeeping job at Marianne’s house, a strange and indelible connection grows between the two teenagers - one they are determined to conceal.
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 in college, Marianne and Connell circle one another, straying toward other people and possibilities but always magnetically, irresistibly drawn back together. Then, 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.
Sally Rooney brings her brilliant psychological acuity and perfectly spare prose to a story that explores the subtleties of class, the electricity of first love, and the complex entanglements of family and friendship.
It is extremely rare for me to give a book a 1-star rating. If my reaction is that negative, I normally quit reading long before I reach the end of the book. And yet, when listening to an audiobook, I'm more inclined to push through, hoping for a turn in the story or a redeeming quality in a particular character, which would make my persistence to forge ahead worthwhile. This was not the case with Normal People. Each day, as I headed outside for my walk, I went with the realization that I was simply biding my time with the book, listening only to reach the end; to discover what lay ahead for Connell and Marianne and to see if Sally Rooney had left the best for last. Perhaps an unexpected twist that would make it all worthwhile.
Nope.
The only positive remark I can make is that Normal People is a fairly quick read. The negative? A weak (almost nonexistent) plot with tedious details of everyday occurrences. Unlikable, unrelatable and annoying characters. Angst-ridden and navel-gazing young adults who are in an on-again-off-again relationship that made absolutely no sense to me.
I am truly surprised that so many readers gave this book such high praise and I wonder if I'm not the target audience. It would be interesting to sit in on a book club discussion and hear why some readers enjoyed it, while others found is loathsome.
It will take a great amount of persuasion to convince me to watch the TV series, which is based on this unsatisfying and over-hyped novel.
In a word, this book was boring. Can I get my week back?!
I know the feeling of wasted time. So many excellent reads out there.
ReplyDeleteMystica, I try to stick with a book for at least 50-80 pages, as several of my all-time favorites took that long before I started enjoying them. With audios, I find it difficult to stop unless I simply can't get interested from the very beginning. That's often due to the narrator more than the book, though. Oh, well. They can't all be wonderful, I suppose.
DeleteI doubt I'm the target audience either. Don't think I'll waste my time.
ReplyDeleteJenclair, you never know. A few blogging friends have given it much higher ratings than I did. Makes me wonder if I missed something.
DeleteI think I rated this 2.5/5 or 3/5 but, it was a slog. I think it is so funny how us readers often have such different opinions on the same book. For example last month I read The End of Her; Shari Lapena and hated it - 1.5/5 stars and Laurel read it and rated it 5/5.
ReplyDeleteDiane, I agree. I noticed that JoAnn and Nancy both gave it a 4.5 and we tend to agree on books, for the most part.
DeleteI completely agree with both of you. I always hesitate when I find a book isn't working for me that worked for many others. A good example is Where the Crawdads Sing. I thought the first chapter was fabulous, but I didn't buy how the main character developed. Probably just me.
DeleteDeb, I don't know why I didn't stop listening to this audio when I realized it wasn't working for me. Gutton for punishment, I guess. ;)
DeleteYou just never know how a book will strike you. And sometimes it's different at a different time of your life. I was at the library this morning picking up a hold and taking a look at some books that are upcoming for a couple of book groups that I attend. The books themselves are likely going to speak wonderfully to some of the people who will read them. However, as I considered and debated I finally thought to myself - I don't want to read these books right now - at all. I was talking with one of the librarians there (she and I used to work together at the Austin library - this was the smaller local library that I patronize) about the issue. I shared that I probably will attend the virtual meetings as I like to hear the others discuss, but I didn't want to read the selections right now. We agreed that most of us are having ups and downs in our reading and many are finding that books that work for others are not appealing to us. Anyway, all that to say that I think I'll be 'safe' skipping this one. I told her that if any patron asked and wanted books that make you 'feel good', tell them to try Robyn Carr's Virgin River series - yes, romance, but also some real life issues and good endings. Ha!
ReplyDeleteKay, it really is so random whether a book will resonate with me, depending on what's going on in my life, if I'm listening or reading, if I have preconceived notions about the author/book, if there's been too much hype about a particular book, etc. What I've recently learned is to not jump on the bandwagon for a new book simply because it's getting a lot of praise by fellow readers. I need to pay more attention to the plot summary. I'm discovering that I don't care for a lot of the new contemporary novels that have come out and I'm not a big fan of light romance. Literary fiction, mysteries & thrillers, and memoirs seem to suit me best. I'll keep RC's Virgin River series in mind. :)
DeleteI do find myself, like Kay, setting aside books that I probably would have enjoyed in a different time.
DeleteDeb, that's what I should have done, but even so, I doubt I would have enjoyed this even at a later time.
DeleteThis book is everywhere in the UK because of the TV version, is it on your screens yet? I’ve avoided it as so many people are falling over themselves in love with Connell. I think I’ll avoid it!
ReplyDeleteYes, it's available on Hulu, Heather. I just can't bring myself to watch and I am stunned that so many people are falling over themselves over Connell. SMH!
DeleteYes I also thought the book was pretty tedious. The everydayness of the details & the story ... was pretty blah. I don't plan to read her again. Here's my review of it last year: https://www.thecuecard.com/books/july-news-reviews/ ...
ReplyDeleteSusan, I don't plan to read her again, either. Once was more than enough! Thanks for sharing the link to your review. We're pretty much on the same page.
DeleteI love to hear your thoughts on books, Les, whether I agree or disagree.
ReplyDeleteDeb, I'm glad. Thank you!
DeleteI can't believe you kept at it. I feel like there are too many wonderful books to read to spend time continuing on with a book that just isn't cutting the mustard. Sorry your persistence didn't pay off at the end.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe I did either, Carl. I certainly wouldn't have continued with a print edition. Somehow, listening to the audio made it just compelling enough to hold my interest. Just barely.
DeleteHmm, really don't know if I'll get to this one. It's been so over-hyped that I think I am already going on not in the right frame of mind. I'm actually not that interested in the show either. Well, hopefully a better book is next for you!
ReplyDeleteIliana, it was pretty much a waste of time, imho.
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