Normal People

Marianne is a loner in high school. Connell is a smart, popular jock. But Connell's mom cleans Marianne's house, and when they are drawn together, they tell no one. Rooney's second novel arrives here with a full wind of anticipation, with a half-dozen awards in the UK and Ireland and the twenty-something Rooney talked about as the voice of her generation. But the novel at the center of that storm might surprise you with its modesty: it's the story of that single relationship, of two (mostly) normal people working out, through their early twenties, whether they should be together. Some of you will consider it a masterpiece, some of you might shrug. I thought it was wonderful, with a subtle attention to character, love, and power that gathered over time. What will you think?