Normal People - Sally Rooney

 
This novel was nowhere in my reading plans. But one day I found myself in a 'tuk', heading towards office with about 40 minutes to kill - and this somehow was loaded in my kindle library - clearly, because I have added it at some point - the Booker long list tag, along with the fact that it was a novel familiar in sight to  someone who frequents book shops, and online book sales. Maybe my book worms discussed it at some point - they discuss books at times which I take no part in, paying just a cursory glance over, if that genre is not my cup of tea. Anyway, I got to reading it as a time pass, and here I am writing my customary note on what I gleaned from the book.

To state the obvious, it was clearly very readable, and at first it had me interested. However, I soon found the details of the main two characters, their lives as young adults, and their struggles to come to terms with their lot, who they were, and the challenges in understanding their various partners, a little out of sync with my reading preferences. I guess it bored me to some degree, and I was complaining to the fore-mentioned book worms, some of whom hissed back at me with fury. But that's another day in the life of.

However I found the book more enjoyable towards the last third or so, as it becomes apparent the extent of mental trauma that Marianne has endured. I certainly felt that her sicko brother's excess actually helped a good thing from falling apart, right in the nick of time. A little dramatic a rescue, but hey, the fans of the book aren't complaining.

To speak more objectively, and holistically, the book begs the question, as to whether there are any normal people in this world. There could be boring people, who have decided to accept their lot, unquestionably at some point, due to circumstances that brought them there - and they may appear as normal to an outsider. Whether anyone can be termed as normal, when one gets to know another beyond  the everyday facade is a moor point.

I can understand why there are many readers who like this book immensely. For me personally, the last one third salvaged what was heading to be a three star read.

Rating: ***1/2