What excites me about Rooney’s style of writing is just how well she can articulate thoughts and emotions. Her effortless skill to externalise in writing the nature of human relationships is deeply alluring and relatable. I loved the character-driven depth of Conversations With Friends so much so that I was especially keen to read Normal People which was recently published in August 2018. And on that note, if you try to loan it from any library in the next couple months, be prepared for an intimidatingly long queue of reservations and wait times.

In this coming-of-age novel, Connell and Marianne are estranged teenage lovers. They grew up in the same rural part of Ireland, they went to school together and attended the same college. Their strained relationship is a product of their difference in social class and popularity. Marianne’s affluent background affords her family the luxury of having their own cleaner; Connell’s mother, Lorraine to work in their lavish mansion. At school though, Marianne doesn’t fit in; she’s a social outcast whom her peers see fit to constantly taunt and ridicule. Even Connell hides his sexual involvement with her from his mates, pretending to be indifferent towards her in their presence.

The execution of the romance was enjoyable to read as it achieves what I believe a good romance should; it presents the relationship with a challenge, such as their difference in class for example, that must be overcome and in so doing giving the romance an almost forbidden, star-crossed lovers quality….

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