BBC: Diving into the Rollercoaster of Emotions in "Normal People" by Sally Rooney

Settle in and grab "your drink of choice" because we're about to dish on all things "Normal People" by Sally Rooney. 

This book has left us reeling, pondering, and itching for more discussions because this rollercoaster of emotions took us on a wild ride + read until the end to find out the shortlisted Beda Book Club summer reads.

And if we are being honest, we have all felt like an awkward misfit or outsider at one point in our life or more. The unpleasant yearning and feelings of loneliness is a universal experience.

A large part of our emotional response come from the extremely frustrating dance of love and timing in this book. Just when you think Connell and Marianne are finally on the same page, life throws them another curveball. It's like watching a train wreck in slow motion—you can't look away even though you know it's going to hurt.

The book sheds light on a very common issue in relationships - communication, or lack thereof. Connell and Marianne are masters of miscommunication, and it's both infuriating and relatable. How many times did you want to shake some sense into them and yell, "Just talk to each other already!"?

So, Connell and Marianne's relationship is... complicated, to say the least. They're like magnets, drawn to each other despite the chaos they create together. But hey, who are we to judge? Love makes us do crazy things.

Reading this book was a ride, and I know it forced us to reflect on some of our own relationships, especially past ones. Adult relationships are hard and the unfurling of the messiness of it in the book was somehow comforting.

Rooney brings forward really important topics and doesn't shy away from exploring power dynamics in relationships. Seeing Connell’s struggle with his identity and Marianne’s journey to self discovery, shows how societal pressures and expectations shape our interactions. It's a sobering reminder of how power imbalances can seep into even the most intimate of connections. 

Let's not forget about the ever-present class divide lurking in the background. Connell and Marianne come from vastly different worlds, and it shapes their experiences in ways they can't even begin to comprehend. Rooney's exploration of class and privilege adds another layer of complexity to an already intricate narrative.

Kudos to Rooney for addressing mental health in such a raw, honest way and most importantly, relatable way. From Marianne's struggles with depression to Connell's battle with anxiety, we see how these issues impact their lives and relationships. It's a reminder that mental health is just as important as physical health and deserves to be talked about openly and without stigma.

"Normal People" is more than just a love story—it's a raw, unflinching look at the messy, complicated nature of human relationships, and that's what makes it so damn good.

So, it's time to brush up on this gem (or start reading if you haven't read it before go go go!), buckle up, and prepare for our inaugural trivia quiz on this heartfelt book.

You have until Monday midnight to complete the quiz and 5 winners will be chosen out of the top scorers.

THESE SPECIAL BEDA PRIZES COULD BE YOURS

P.S read our previous blog if you want to know more about the Beda Book Club

With love, 

Alia

It's a Beda Girl's Summer and we have shortlisted our top contenders.

Let us know which one you are the most excited to read. 

Cleopatra and Frankenstein - Coco Mellors

"A debut novel of love and privilege that's made for TV"

- Los Angeles Times

Sugar, baby - Celine Saintclare

"Are these women being taken advantage of—or are they on the ride of their lives?"

- 'The Best Books of 2024 So Far', Vogue