Michael Kovacs reviewed Normal People by Sally Rooney
Normal People
3 stars
I think I don't like media with people who recognize that they don't feel good, but don't want to try and better their situation. It's hard to watch people make the same mistakes over and over again, to sacrifice their dreams and happiness, to cling to their suffering as if it makes them deeper or more artistically valid, rather than seeking help when it’s available. Maybe this uncomfortableness with this kind of content comes from my own life experiences and it is hard to watch happen again (and again and again throughout this book). As someone who has been to multiple therapists throughout my life, I understand mental health is complicated and just saying "get some help" is significantly harder than it can seem to people on the outside, especially if deep down you don't feel deserving of other people's help and overall attention. With all of that said, I think it is fair to say I just don't like this kind of media where these characters are flawed and hurting, but they never seem to get a moment of reprieve from their internal struggles that feels optimistic and the story ends with them still just as flawed and hurting.