Normal People inspiring my normal life

Since coming home from university for Christmas break, our nation has been thrown in Tier 4 followed by a third national lockdown. Subsequently, I have found myself with a lot of spare time around my studies. It’s safe to say that lockdowns aren’t particularly inspiring or fulfilling, therefore, I wanted to ensure that I use my spare time in a way which benefits my spirits, i.e. not scrolling through my phone for hours on end. I used to love reading when I was younger but fell out of love with it when it became compulsory to read every morning during form time, and even more so when I got to university and had an abundance of complex texts to read every week . However, this lockdown I decided to read for pleasure again.

I recently read Normal People by Sally Rooney and was completely unaware of the mass craze which surrounded it within the first lockdown. I’m pretty sure I saw someone recommend it on Instagram so thought I’d give it a go and hoped that it would ease me back into reading for pleasure. Since reading the book and finishing the 12 episode adaption on BBC Three, I have completely fallen back in love with reading again.

Rooney tells the story of Connell and Marianne, who grew up in the same town in Ireland. Already, the location of the story was perfect to me as my family are from Ireland. Although I have not visited Ireland since I was young, I am fascinated by the country and obsessed with the Irish accents. Connell and Marianne have a complicated story, however, their strong bond and the amount of care and love they have for one another prevails throughout the book.

What particularly struck me about this book was how it explored the mundane and relatable aspects of the process of falling in love. The book and TV show can feel slow at times, but, unlike American shows which are loud and dramatic, Normal People explores everyday and simple details of relationships, intimacy and love. Rooney’s approach to love encourages you to appreciate the small details within your own life and the special relationships that you have. I feel as though, in this era of digital media, we are bombarded with posts about love and relationships which are displayed in an extravagant manner. For instance, it always seems to be a competition as to which couple can travel to the most exotic destination or which couple can buy the most expensive gifts for one another. However, Normal People highlights the beauty in the simplicity of relationships and how special it is to find an intimate bond with someone. In the current global situation we are experiencing, it is so important to find magic in your everyday life. Furthermore, the book importantly highlights the reality that university life isn’t always positive and can be completely lonely at times. Connell also depicts a raw presentation of declining mental health, which is hugely important to represent within male characters. Highlighting the value of men expressing their troubled mental health and seeking professional assistance is definitely an aspect that many TV shows wrongly shy away from.

Moreso, the TV show completely did the book justice. Connell and Marianne have been perfectly casted. Connell is a popular but quiet rugby boy who loses his social power when he attends Trinity College and Marianne is an intelligent, vulnerable but arrogant girl who slowly falls in love with the life she has, despite all the hardships she faces within her family. Like the book, the show highlights the simplicity of falling in love, highlighting that the process of love is never straightforward, but that doesn’t make it any less beautiful.

Love, Lola x