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I had to collect my thoughts for a while, so here's what I have so far. I read Normal People and thought it was okay, maybe I wasn't complex enough to understand Marianne and Connor's relationship, but I rated it three stars in the end. I did not plan on buying any other Sally Rooney books, and the only reason I bought this one was because of the hype. And the hype was right. This book had absolutely nothing and everything at the same time. I practically had to tear myself away from the book, and that hasn't happened in a long time. What I find interesting, though, is I feel as if Rooney has taken me and split me in half to make Alice and Eileen. Loved it.
Did not need to be 400 pages. Guessed the killer midway but then said “no, that's stupid.” SPOILER: guessed the family was dead 100 pages in and Anna was “talking to them” as a way to cope. Ummm what else is there to say? It would've been better if written by a women/ also made the story a commentary on how society never really believes women / how young boys don't necessarily see women as human due to societal stances and such.
To keep it “short”, although Tartt's writing style is one of my favorites, her books (whether intentionally or not) are very white-catered. Class is a very broad theme in TSH and TGF and her use of prejudiced characters (once again, intentional or not) is a bit weird to me. I let it slide for TSH cause that was the whole point of the story, how class can easily drive someone to murder, or have prejudices due to their elitism, but idk. It seems weird for Donna (if it is the point of her novels) to talk about class and stuff. And I DO love the stories, they're very interesting, but I just don't think Donna is the right person TO make these points that are often brought up in her books. I liked the premise (kid “steals” world-famous painting) and the writing, but it all fell flat for me.
