Is Normal People Worth Your Time?

Today, I am going to be breaking down the incredibly popular novel, Normal People, and its subsequent BBC Three adaptation. I will speak about the two major criticisms the book faces and analyze some of the key moments in Connell and Marianne's story. And, hopefully, by the end of this video, you'll have an idea of whether or not Normal People is a story that is worth your time and brain space.
CONTENT WARNINGS: Discussions and depictions of mental illness (specifically anxiety and depression), trauma, abuse, and sex.
Article about Marianne: www.thecut.com/2020/05/marian...
Resources:
Master document: docs.google.com/document/d/1-...
Master list of important links: linktr.ee/kl3098
Another master list of places to donate, petitions to sign, etc.: blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/
Bail funds in various cities: / 1266545974350090243
Playlist of Black Booktubers (created by Myonna): • Black Booktubers
Yemen Crisis: yemencrisis.carrd.co/
Donation thread supporting Trans Women: / 1270410149136527360
Social Media:
Instagram: / fulloflit
Goodreads: / daria
Music: / clearskyempee3
Thanks so much for watching!!

[@op-training]

It might seem a small point, but to Americans reading this, Connell and Marianne are from the Republic of Ireland, not Northern Ireland. These places have very different cultures. The Republic of Ireland is much more unified culturally and sees itself as very distinct from the UK. People from there describe themselves simply as Irish. Northern Ireland on the other hand is still split into two communities, Catholic and Protestant, and is part of the UK. So although Connell and Marianne are from separate classes they are very definitely Irish, not Northern-Irish. And, by the way, the college they go to, Trinity College Dublin, is the Irish equivalent of Oxford and Cambridge in the UK, for elite students.

[@mirvavilla3966]

I like your analysis on the whole but I disagree on the point about Marianne's appearance. I think we're meant to think that she's unattractive because that's how her school mates (including Connell) see her. The small school obsesses over her actions because she is an outcast and socially inept. Sure, some of the things she does are weird, but not earth-shatteringly so. So when she goes to university, nobody has any preconceived notions about her and she blossoms because the academic environment suits her (or maybe, when the school uniforms are removed, other students can detect that she's wealthy and thus from a similar background). Similarly, Connell is now seen as the strange one, because he is working class, comes from a small village and doesn't share the same interests.

[@davidcalderhead8658]

This is how I saw it as well. Her attractiveness is shown when she dresses up for the Debs fundraiser and all the folks at school who think she's ugly start complimenting her. They only saw her as unattractive and weird because they didn't like her. Spilling chocolate (in the book) on her blouse and cleaning it off in the bathroom is seen as a huge indictment of her character, but is it really that strange?

[@renatanovato9460]

Her nudity is shamed by the girls. Thay say she is weird because she took her shirt off. But even this story is a hear say. No one actually saw her.

[@coryf725]

Side note, the sex in this show was done just right. It felt real, intimate, erotic. The sex in 365 days now, was fucking awful. It was cartoonish and cringe. In normal people, the director committed to the act of making the scene about the sex. In 365 and fifty and a bunch of other supposedly "erotic" movies, I noticed that these over the top and polarizing songs will play. The music is such a distraction, that it's almost like the directors fear making something that might titillate. Idk sex scenes are weird. Loved normal people, cried.

[@flapjackalopis711]

Good analysis only thing i disagree with is the Marianna adaptation not being true. I never considered her gross or weird in the book at all, i feel like the way its written is meant to kind of let the reader know her "grossness and weirdness" is in itself a dramatization of her from her the perspective of her classmates. In the book the yogurt/shirt scene is described as being relatively normal but that the school made a big deal of it solely because they decided to overdramatize it as they had never seen Marianne so exposed (since she is usually so private). As for her looks, Connell tells her the only reason Eric insinuates that shes unattractive is because Eric thinks she looks down on him and Connell even says that if Eric thought he had the slightest chance with her, he wouldnt act that way If anything this is what makes her character so interesting, because it shows how people can force a perception of you that is not even true, but is just based on their personal feelings towards that person. Daisy's interpretation of Marianne in my own opinion, was exactly how I imagined.

[@MinaReads]

Not me about to cry just seeing this clip of him in therapy, I suppose I should watch/read this soon. Loved this video as always Daria!

[@renatanovato9460]

I totally agree with you about the miscommunication thing. It is not a rom com trope. It is a real relatable problem they both face. There is a point when he tells her he doesn't even know what he feels. Expressing himself is difficult. And as you said, she has been so abused by her family that she can't believe that talking will change anything.

[@sprinkledpages2977]

you are SO INCREDIBLY ARTICULATE!!!! I could listen to you speak about any topic for hours! i've been wanting to read this book for a while but hearing you talk about it makes me want to drop everything and read it NOW

[@aaronslauter1722]

I dont know if Marianne should be considered gross for spilling her yogurt but ... lo que quieras

[@EK-ev3pt]

Yeah I agree, imo that scene was there to show how much social behaviour is scrutinised by peers in high school/secondary school and how Marianne didn't gaf about it lol

[@nidhireddyreads]

this should be a series on your channel i love it sm 🥺

[@danirayn5916]

I think Daisy is beautiful, don't get me wrong, but she's not Angelina Jolie. She's definitely a more understated type of pretty which is how I imagined Marianne.

[@claudiaiwv7815]

OMG THAT counseling scene! What outstanding writing, what a performance! Had to stop everything and just show it to my husband. Absolutely incredible and such a powerful message about mental health, especially mens! Worth it, just for that!

[@jacquelinelugo5518]

I loved Normal People, I actually watched the show first before I read the book (didn't know it was a book until after I finished the show). I loved it so much because of how real it was. We finally got a show that wasn't about high school romance (it started there) but it wasn't just the main focus. We finally got a rom com for those of us in our 20s and it was beautifully done.

[@brittanybarrowbooks9133]

This was fantastic! I think you very eloquently said exactly how I felt about the book too. I really need to get on watching the Hulu series!

[@skyemccready]

The only thing that bothers me about Marianne and Connells relationship is the big gaps in time where they’re not talking to each other. I don’t know, if I really cared about someone that much and loved someone that much, I wouldn’t be able to ignore them for that long

[@IndieCindy3]

That’s YOU, but everyone is different. There’s someone I love dearly who I had to cut off all ties with. It’s extremely hard, but it’s also for the best that way. And it obviously goes both ways… if the other person feels the same way , wants to either be respectful or just doesn’t care enough to put any effort in maintaining communication/ties, then things just stay the way they are.

[@Gerulcia]

Hey, thanks for the video and review that really dives deep into interpretation especially the miscomunication part. I think that it's additionally worth of mentioning that it is the coming of age story so I think that it's self explenatory that the main characters coming from such different background and carring some quite heavy emotional burden could struggle with conceptualising and expressing their own emotions and thoughts at young age of early adulthood age. Giving to that personality trades it all seems so human and authentic as you mentioned. There is one thought that your video riggered in my mind that the author imposes somehow the study of character throught more of a psychonalitic or cognitive approach and drow some parrals to their emotions of alienation. The positive father figure are lacking in both households. For Marianne father's absence carries a lagacy of domestic violence that her brother repeats what has great reprecurtion in her insecurities and overall behaviour. That is here apparent, but we might omit Connol's or not give much of attation of Connol's background (apart of financial situation). His uncertanity might be affected by his ubringing as well. Beying raised by single father, not knowing who his father was, it might bring some feelings of alienation and abandonment.

[@hazelmacwan8432]

I loved the book and the adaptation sm, so glad you made this video!

[@roncorbett7300]

Great review - especially picking up on the key nuanced aspects such as their misunderstandings / ‘reading’ of each other. It’s a shame that this quality of acting and writing is perhaps even rarer today than in the past - especially in the commercial film- making world. If there is a stand out element in this total triumph of a book and an adapted to series it is the depiction of insecurity, mental illness and anxieties that many young men can go through during the 16-24 year old stage. The positive portrayal of the counselling scene and the fact that the young man suffering (Connell) was on the surface a good looking, confident popular guy was simply outstanding. As was the fact that his depression was fully triggered by his schoolmate committing suicide. - Suicide rates in young male adults is still not commonly recognised.

[@dejasaur]

I could listen to you talk for hours! this book didn't really interest me but I had fun listening to you break it down.

[@renatanovato9460]

The book is amazing as is the adaptation. I would venture to say they are the best story of the decade.

[@rudrikaiyer9773]

oh wow you summed up all of my thoughts!! this book is brilliant and i'm so glad that you liked it too! LOVED this :)) i understand why this book is gets so much hate but to me it's simply wonderful

[@beautifulday1996]

love your discussion of the book! i think there's a difference in miscommunication as a plot device to create drama and miscommunication as a central theme of a story and normal people obviously has the latter. it's not tropey because it is rooted in the character's insecurities and views of themselves... anyway, i'm glad you liked the book and the show because the thumbnail had me worried that you didn't lmao

[@beautifulday1996]

@@FullofLit i think this is also why the no quotation mark writing style worked so well because it reflected that in a way. everything was so in their heads and they themselves confused what they felt/thought with what they actually communicated, hence their breakup and so on... really, what a fantastic book, i now feel like doing a reread actually!

[@kanellita]

i watched the show and it quickly became one of my favorites, and i'm really looking forward to reading the book! great video💌

[@bronwyn117]

Hated the book, loved the series. The acting was phenomenal, and Paul Mescal brought me to tears so many times.

[@ivorym.3595]

definitely will be buying this book after this review, thank u so much!!

[@moonlitmellie]

Gah I’m conflicted with this book. I loved seeing the juxtaposition of their high school and college/adult identities. The underlying discussion about consent and self worth was really well done. However, it’s super frustrating to see the characters grow but their actual relationship stay stagnant, like they were pretty much in the same place towards the end as when they first started to me.

[@renatanovato9460]

Girls, i have to desagree with you here. Their relationship evolved to a whole other level. They are both more maturue, they have figured out what they want in live, they have learned to repesct themselves and each other. They have become real friends who support each other through terrible times. They are not judgemental, they are honest and open. They learned that distance cannot grow them apart, and that even if they don't end up together, what they have lived is real and strong. They became better ppl because of and for the other. Love is not about getting married.

[@ElizabethNicoleSchwartz]

I think I've only heard of the show in passing but I never knew what it was about or anything so I guess I'll have to check the book out when I get the chance :)

[@JoseMatutina1964]

I hit "Subscribe" because of your great analysis on this one! KZbin made good on recommending this.

[@davecoz4227]

not wanting to nit pick but it's a West of Ireland town. "Northern Ireland" is a seperate country from Ireland. (Don't ask as that's a whole bag of cats)

[@davecoz4227]

No worries, and thanks for such an informative and entertaining review, as Connel would say, 'it's class!'!

[@katiemichellerivas3071]

I'm curious to know more about your ideas on adaptation. I just found your channel and haven't gone back and watched many videos, but here you make a really big argument for fidelity between the novel and the show. I haven't engaged with this show or novel at all, but you make a strong argument that the show is very faithful to the novel. Do you think fidelity is the end all, be all of adaptation? If something doesn't adhere to the original story /exactly/ it is not a good adaptation? I ask because I'm getting my MA in lit, focusing on adaptation and cultural theory and am just curious to know what people who haven't read 7 books on the subject think lol.

[@leilam529]

Yess the audiobook is amazing!! It made the story so much more compelling and the switch between voices, narration, and characters just made it so much better.

[@raychelreed5565]

Funny enough, when I described the plot synopsis to my roommate, she had the same complaint about the weird, unpopular girl's actress since she looked like "the Irish Anne Hathaway." Then it got me thinking that they really should have gone "Princess Diaries" on this actress more LOL

[@arathipoovathoor3405]

Loved the video !

[@deuteragonist1078]

I'm about to read Normal People book club-style with my mom and godmother!!!

[@aphroditereads]

peak content analysis

[@hassanaftab1270]

I just dont understand why two people who are madly in love. Having sex all the time. Wanted to be with each other yet dont marry and don't stay together through they wanted to...

[@iwantsifegold]

Ok, is it possible that Marianne's look is more a result of an overreach of the main character's narration? (like Joe always looking "not so bad" because his narrating the story type of thing) nothing she did look like a massively repulsive act to me. not to mention is from the point of view of a girl that struggles to like herself and a guy that needs public opinion so bad it shapes his decision.

[@danny9331]

Thank you!

[@viebibliophile]

Beautiful review! I was one of those people who was put off by the writing style. Although I agree with you that their voices are so different that we can easily separate their lines without quotation marks, it still seems unnecessary to me to write that way. I mean, what exactly is the purpose of removing quotation marks from the story? How does it contribute to the book? But yeah other than that you may have just convinced me to give it another try! 💜

[@androy001]

I agree normal people was so amazing... book and TV show. The sex scenes were handled well because they used an intimacy coordinator, which was probably the best decision they ever made.

[@NomenFugazi]

Absolutely correct. Although a great actress,Daisy is way too attractive to make the novel character believable on screen.The ending,really puzzling.They are in love,communicating better than ever.She has an abusive family life. One sole real friend in Joann.What prevents her to move with him for one year to New York.She had no problem spending a year in Sweden,or the summer in Italy.Believe me,someone truly in love,would.

[@EK-rx2ju]

Sweden and Italy are both in Europe, which doesn't require a Visa to live in for other Europeans. It would be way too much of a sacrifice for a recent arts graduate to move to New York solely for another person. Marianne has her own future to think about.

[@rodrigocamacho8834]

Am I the only one who did not think the yogourt scene was gross?? but rather something everybody does at home when you want to clean a small spot on your shirt. Marianne is just ballsy and challenge society by doing it right in the school washroom and that's why I like Marianne, she gives f*uc% about society.

[@hungrycaterpillar6065]

Definitely yes

[@taker68]

That should be Are...in the title, FYI.

[@Marunoe1]

I read the book today, It completly destroyed me. Little bit triggering.

[@bronwyn117]

I disagree with you about Daisy....I thought she was really unattractive in the beginning.

[@Klenovyj]

I dislike this story so so so much because miscommunications for all and every small and big things make me mad. Struggled so much in my own life with that because people can not use their mouth the proper way... that it just made me angry by looking at this additionally. for some it may be relatable, but i guess it was just too much for me xD sadly didn't get to therapy part because of this

[@sagara4e]

I only got to episode 4 and I cannot go pass it. I cannot sympathize with Connell because he treated her so badly in highschool and when he is struggling at uni, all I can think is, yeah karma is a bitch, you have NO sympathy from me. I don't understand how anyone can stand him

[@user-ns4gl3vg2y]

I’m sorry to myself that I Wasting my time to Watch this stupid show

[@1987Liono]

You think Paul Mescal is attractive ? I'm Irish and I think he looks average.