Normal People by Sally Rooney full audiobook

Normal People is a novel that explores the complex and evolving relationship between two young people, Marianne and Connell, as they navigate their way through adolescence and adulthood in Ireland. The book spans four years, from their final year of high school to their graduation from college, and captures the highs and lows of their love, friendship, and personal growth.

Marianne and Connell are both intelligent, sensitive, and lonely, but they come from very different backgrounds. Marianne is from a wealthy family, but she suffers from abuse and neglect at home. She is ostracized and bullied at school for being outspoken and eccentric. Connell is from a working-class family, but he is popular and well-liked at school for being handsome and athletic. He is insecure and anxious about his social status and his future prospects.

The two of them start a secret affair when Connell’s mother, who works as a cleaner for Marianne’s family, picks him up from her house. They find solace and comfort in each other’s company, but they are afraid of exposing their feelings to the world. Connell worries about losing his reputation among his friends, while Marianne feels unworthy of love and happiness. They break up and make up several times, each time hurting each other in different ways.

When they go to college in Dublin, their roles are reversed. Marianne becomes more confident and popular, while Connell feels out of place and depressed. They reconnect and resume their relationship, but they also face new challenges and temptations. They struggle with their mental health, their sexual identities, their political views, and their career aspirations. They drift apart and come back together, each time changing and learning from each other.

Normal People is a novel that portrays the realistic and nuanced dynamics of a modern romance. It shows how two people can influence each other’s lives in profound ways, even when they are apart. It also examines the social and cultural forces that shape their identities and choices, such as class, gender, family, education, and power. The book is written in a simple yet elegant style, with short chapters that alternate between Marianne’s and Connell’s perspectives. The dialogue is sharp and witty, while the narration is intimate and emotional.

Normal People is a novel that will resonate with anyone who has ever experienced love, loss, or loneliness. It is a story that celebrates the beauty and complexity of human relationships, as well as the pain and joy of growing up. It is a book that will make you laugh, cry, think, and feel.