Normal People

I think as an author sally rooney is incredibly average, and i wonder if she knew she had struck gold with Normal People.  I finished reading Normal People December 2023, I remember it vividly because i nearly cried in public and sat in shock for 10 minutes afterwards, which struck me as strange since, while i have high praise, Normal People is no where close to the best books ive read. I think what grabs me so much with this story is how deeply i relate to both Connell and Marianne. I have and still am experiencing both ends of their relationship, i think when i finished the book that was even more so the case. I could talk about each episode individually. Ep7 through to Ep11 are phenomenal. I hated the Sweden section on my first read, and the disgust is carried over so well to TV, the sheer uncomfortableness in that episode is incredible. I loved the dichotomy between the lighting in Ep8 and 9, the near identical shots were super fun to watch back to back. I don't remember being so upset by the funeral on my first read, but watching Ep10 I was devastated, it might be my favourite episode. God i just wish these people would say more than two words to each other. The ending is as blunt as I remember, i actually think its tone is slightly more romantic in the show, i dont know if i preferred it. I dont know if this is a 5 star show, its probably pushing 4 stars, but ive been so emotionally invested and influenced by this story that i cant not give it 5. Bonus points for Sally Rooney perfectly encapsulating the average - insert literature adjacent degree here - insufferable man. i have sat in seminars exactly like the ones described. Jamie might be the single most annoying, irritating character ive ever seen on screen. i do not remember having even 1% this amount of destain towards him in the book. genuinely every second he is even remotely involved in the plot is so aggravating i want to strangle him