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Erin
Just wanted to add that based on this book and Conversations with Friends, it seems the author likes to romanticize anorexia. In both books she makes a point to note the female protagonists� steady decline into starvation without any consequence, only that they’re basically looking thin.
Idk, I really loved both books but this gave me pause. Sally Rooney, you ok, girl?
Idk, I really loved both books but this gave me pause. Sally Rooney, you ok, girl?
Towhid Islam
That's one opinion/interpretation of the ending (of the novel). I for one, couldn't ask for a better ending, because the author let each one of us, readers, to imagine however we wish to believe how the story of Connell and Marianne shall continue. While such an ending presents an opportunity for a sequel for the author (after all, she needs to eat), I couldn't have asked for more. To continue on and read about these two people go their separate ways once more and get back together again, would be dull and boring.
My interpretation of the ending, is that both have matured sufficiently to recognize and accept these two people are at their best when they are together. Therefore, in my imagination, Connell would simply refuse to go to NYU without Marianne. Perhaps he would convince her to apply for a master's program at NYU as well and would only embark on his MFA, if Marianne was accepted so that they would be together. Or, if Marianne had no further interest in (higher) education, Connell would find a master's program nearby so that they could continue to be together. I remember, it is only Connell who keeps on telling Marianne that he loves her, whereas she barely says so, just once. In the last few pages the author revealed that Marianne finally realized that she is truly herself only when she is with Connell. I expect these two to grow old together.
My interpretation of the ending, is that both have matured sufficiently to recognize and accept these two people are at their best when they are together. Therefore, in my imagination, Connell would simply refuse to go to NYU without Marianne. Perhaps he would convince her to apply for a master's program at NYU as well and would only embark on his MFA, if Marianne was accepted so that they would be together. Or, if Marianne had no further interest in (higher) education, Connell would find a master's program nearby so that they could continue to be together. I remember, it is only Connell who keeps on telling Marianne that he loves her, whereas she barely says so, just once. In the last few pages the author revealed that Marianne finally realized that she is truly herself only when she is with Connell. I expect these two to grow old together.
Joseph Pfeffer
While I gave the book a rave, and stand by that, the ending seems the less satisfying the more time I put between me and the book. Basically, Connell is still fucking Marianne over. He's always tended to stuff her in the closet, pull her out when he wants to fuck her, then put her back in. Admittedly, that all changes when he refuses to hit her, then saves her from the psychotically rageful Alan.
But in the last scene we see what starts as a moment of domestic bliss turn into yet another game-playing move by Connell. He's accepted a scholarship to something like the Columbia MFA program, but he doesn't tell Marianne until he gets accepted - until, that is it's a done deal. As usual, Marianne overreacts, which Connell must have known she would do. So the dynamic between the two of them has not changed. It probably never will. And we have the makings of a sequel.
What's unsatisfying, though, is that the ending feels unbalanced. Connell is going to move on to literary glory. Marianne has a boring job and is working on a deadly dull degree in political science. She'll stay in Dublin while Connell does New York. He'll no doubt find a new girlfriend, an artsy American girl from Barnard, let us say, and then he'll reationalize that to Marianne. Marianne, meanwhile, will fall back into her masochism which is never far away. She's the loser. (I hate it when a great book has an unsatisfying ending, because it colors my view of the entire book.)
But in the last scene we see what starts as a moment of domestic bliss turn into yet another game-playing move by Connell. He's accepted a scholarship to something like the Columbia MFA program, but he doesn't tell Marianne until he gets accepted - until, that is it's a done deal. As usual, Marianne overreacts, which Connell must have known she would do. So the dynamic between the two of them has not changed. It probably never will. And we have the makings of a sequel.
What's unsatisfying, though, is that the ending feels unbalanced. Connell is going to move on to literary glory. Marianne has a boring job and is working on a deadly dull degree in political science. She'll stay in Dublin while Connell does New York. He'll no doubt find a new girlfriend, an artsy American girl from Barnard, let us say, and then he'll reationalize that to Marianne. Marianne, meanwhile, will fall back into her masochism which is never far away. She's the loser. (I hate it when a great book has an unsatisfying ending, because it colors my view of the entire book.)
Andrea
I think the whole point is that for 'normal people' there aren't any happy endings, just a never ending set of choices that may or may not make you happier day by day. I see them destined to repeat their cycle of together-apart-together, without resolution.
Jennifer
I thought the major issue was Marianne's horrible family and the deep suffering she clearly struggles with on a daily basis because of their lifelong abuse. I would love to read a sequel in which Marianne gets help and learns to overcome this; as well as what Connell decides to do and how their relationship continues over the years. Even if they don't live happily ever after together, they clearly have a magnetic connection that will not let them lose contact forever.
Cari
Both main characters in this novel suffer from mental illness. Connell suffers from severe anxiety that at some point turns into depression with suicidal thoughts. Marianne endures years of physical and emotional abuse from her family to the point that it accutely affects her self-identity (self-esteem and self-worth). She seeks harmful relationships and is very depressed too. These themes are central to the story. Especially because to an important extent, their illness is kept secret and they long to have a relationship like "normal people."
Towards the end Connell goes to therapy and gets better. Marianne is also healing but the book states that it is mainly due to her relationship with Connell. While she does not mention therapy, her outlook on life is more positive. The ending is open. Things are not tidily solved but at least it seems like a new beginning for bother of them.
It depends on how triggering these themes are for you. The story ends in a hopeful note, one in which maybe both characters are moving towards a healthier life.
Towards the end Connell goes to therapy and gets better. Marianne is also healing but the book states that it is mainly due to her relationship with Connell. While she does not mention therapy, her outlook on life is more positive. The ending is open. Things are not tidily solved but at least it seems like a new beginning for bother of them.
It depends on how triggering these themes are for you. The story ends in a hopeful note, one in which maybe both characters are moving towards a healthier life.
mary
as a feminist, i cringed all thru this novel--why women writers present this tiresome trope that is marianne-- anything to please a man, long as its debasing--is she saying something re: all the men are emotional nazis ? or, is this newest generation hopelessly mental ? not clear....
not worthy of a booker nod....
not worthy of a booker nod....
Jeanne
My problem with the book is that I also know a lot of people with similar mental health problems, spectrum disorders, anxiety, etc. I guess that means the title Normal People is apt but it also made for a very dreary read. It was like so what? So she is miserable and unable to find her way out and he becomes miserable (you wonder if maybe he should have never met her) and then what? The ending is more of the same. They sort of reach a balance, but really they both seemed to me to be addicted to misery.
Ayesha
It may just be me, but I don't perceive her lack of eating and the desire to consume anything as anorexia, but rather a deep form of tiredness and self-loathing. She may just be acting this way as the thought of having to get up and fill herself just seems so pointless and tiresome; or my original theory based on what I've seen from people around me, that she deems herself unworthy of pleasure, a theme recurrent throughout the novel, which leads to her continuously suppressing her need to eat.
Catherine
Perhaps the writer wanted the effect that "plus ça change..." as far as the dynamic between Marianne and Connell. I agree though, that for the reader, it felt like the book simply stopped. I found it unsatisfying. We could easily have turned the page and seen a chapter heading "12 weeks later..." with no surprise.
Dani
I really did not like the ending and found the overall book disappointing. :(
Kathy Phillips
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David Hambling
It's a happy if unconvincing ending. The anorexia is conveniently waved away.
Nicole
the ending itself is sort of open-ended, a ;little bittersweet, but there is a climactic event toward the end when she finally starts to turn things around.
Judith
Connell & Marianne come to realize there will never be anyone else for either of them, but feel compelled to walk away from every chance of mutual happiness. She's a masochist, he's clinically depressed, and they are both so damaged that neither feels deserving of love, and they can't break the cycle of self-punishment. Some things can't be fixed...
Shelley
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