Normal People

Why is this book so popular? Seriously, why? Was everyone knocked on the head or something?

The fact that this book is hailed as being the next big modern classic, and that it's listed on the Times Next 100 is an insult to actual modern classics and all the other books on that list that are really deserving of the high praise and title.

First of all, the blurb is nothing like the story at all. Where it's supposed to be a “great romantic story,” it becomes a plotless, sex-filled story with detestable characters who have no redeeming qualities. Every other page contains a fairly vivid depiction of sex between teens and later, between young adults, that adds zero value to the story and doesn't advance the plot in any way. Furthermore, the frequent comments on female characters' bodies is gross and unnecessary. Do I really need to read about Marianne's breast every two minutes? Obviously no. The male gaze is strong with this one, even though it was written by a woman (misogyny strike 1?).

The characters themselves are incredibly flat and underdeveloped. Marianne and Connell, our main characters, are one-trick-ponies who continuously repeat the same mistakes and never learn nor grow as people. Connell in particular is incredibly infuriating. These characters are supposed to be representations of today's world, but news flash, they really aren't. Real people don't casually fantasize about beating their (abused) girlfriend. Real people don't walk around in shame of their partner for no apparent reason. Real people aren't insufferable a-holes who treat their mother like a third class citizen.

Both Connell and Marianne are constantly pegged as being “smart” and “different” in a I'm not like all the other girls/boys way which is annoying as hell. Marianne is super smart and knows everything, but Connell is even smarter still and outshines everyone because he reads and knows about books (seriously, this is the main reason why he's soooo smart). Marianne is quick to sing his praises and tell everyone how smart he is and how much smarter than her he is... okay then (misogyny, strike 2!).

The plot in this book is nonexistent. Nothing happens in this story; instead, Marianne and Connell simply orbit around one another and go through rince and repeat cycles of emotional abuse for reasons?? Plus, outside of these two, the other characters are basically just background props because they had no value to the story, serve no purpose in terms of teaching or helping the MCs, and are so woefully underdeveloped that I barely remember their names. For example Rachel, the stereotypical high school mean girl (misogyny, strike 3!): what is her point? Why is she even there (other than to serve as a contrast to poor (but smart) little Marianne who is unjustly bullied and mistreated by her classmates?

Overall, I do not recommend this to any living soul. Do yourself a favour and save your eyes (or ears) by reading something, anything, else. This book isn't worth the paper it's printed on.