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Normal People cover art

Normal People

By: Sally Rooney
Narrated by: Aoife McMahon
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Publisher's Summary

'Tender and devastating.' Guardian

'A book to cancel plans for.' Grazia

'A classic coming-of-age love story.' Vogue

Connell and Marianne grow up in the same small town in the west of Ireland, but the similarities end there. In school, Connell is popular and well-liked, while Marianne is a loner. But when the two strike up a conversation – awkward but electrifying – something life-changing begins.

Normal People is a story of mutual fascination, friendship and love. It takes us from that first conversation to the years beyond, in the company of two people who try to stay apart but find they can’t.

©2023 Sally Rooney (P)2023 Faber & Faber

What listeners say about Normal People

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great Story - All the feels

Well written, well narrated, great story. Passionate, loving, sad, painful and a little bitter sweet. Hopefully, we will get a sequel at some point.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

No such thing as normal

A great insight into what we perceive as being normal is only relative. The two main protagonists receive an enormous amount of grief for not playing along to the so called social norms of behaviour
but are the most likeable characters in the book.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting but terrible narration

Good story. Female narration was fine but using a female for the male voices was not believable and jarring. It ruined the book.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Amy
  • 11-09-2023

Frustrating ending

I should of know that the book would be an odd ending as the whole story was a bit odd but I liked it. The ending was too open, I didn’t enjoy it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Such a real story of love

A tender and beautiful story about love, loss and life. The characters felt so real and familiar. I loved it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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As enjoyable as the tv series

The narrator was perfect - did a great job with a fantastic story. Loved it. Beautifully written. Thoroughly enjoyable

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Enjoyed

I enjoyed the story and it’s complicated characters what was said and unsaid between them

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Beautiful

couldn't put it down!! Read beautifully with an interesting writing style. I would absolutely recommend it.

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Sooooo amazing

A total roller coaster. So well written and a beautiful and frustrating storyline. Highly recommend

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Raw and relatable

Normal People is a raw and relatable modern love story about interdependent people in a formative relationship growing with and apart from one another.

The novel explores the challenges of growth, emotional vulnerability, the struggle for self-identity, and (tangentially) class dynamics. The flawed bond between its main characters highlights how relationships can unravel through miscommunication, overthinking and anxiety; yet also how true connection can subsist amid adversity and separation. While some readers might find the characters’ communication difficulties frustrating, I found them real and engrossing.

Although I found Normal People hard to put down, it is not without flaws. Marianne’s arc can sometimes feel reductive, problematic and unresolved. Some side characters are one-dimensional, and events occasionally occur on timeframes that feel unrealistic.

Notably, my overwhelming enjoyment was certainly enhanced by how closely the narrative resonated with me, and how familiar its characters and the unfolding events felt to my own experiences. Those who do not find the characters immediately relatable might not find as much value within.

Its abrupt ending may be divisive, but also felt apt, echoing the prior ambiguity of the protagonists’ relationship, and the uncertainty of real-world relationships. Highly recommend.

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