Intermezzo by Sally Rooney

Posted by Ms A on October 18, 2024 in All, Book Club Fodder, Grab it Now | 2 Comments

I think Sally Rooney must have good sex. What other explanation could there be for the way she weaves sex into so much of her writing? Normal People, Conversations with Friends, and Beautiful World, Where Are You all feature an above-average amount of top-shelf intimacy. Funnily enough, all bestsellers.

Before you power up your gadget of choice, these sex scenes are far from bodice-rippers. Quite the opposite. Rooney’s characters enjoy a highbrow, complex, and intellectual brand of sex and sexual tension—the kind that disenfranchised Hinge users could only wish for. She explores intimacy not just as a physical act, but as a way to build her stories, incorporating the power dynamics, communication styles, and insecurities of her characters.

In between sex scenes, Rooney manages to weave tiny, everyday emotions and observations into the simplest of stories. It really is humanity under a microscope.

In her newest book, Intermezzo, we meet two brothers (32 and 22) who are grieving the death of their father. In fact, the story opens at the funeral. The dynamic between these brothers is complicated, and despite their similarities, they can’t find common ground at a time when they need it most.

Thankfully, there are plenty of women around to support and often distract them. Firstly, there is their mother (even though she re-partnered many years before and has a new family of her own) and several girlfriends. Interestingly, both brothers are dating women with significant age gaps—a big theme in this book. Rooney explores the typical (and not-so-typical) stereotypes that come with age gaps and the deep insecurities that result.

The plot itself is not particularly expansive. Set in Ireland over just a few months, with a handful of characters dealing with a handful of problems, it’s more of a study than a story, leaving readers with much to contemplate about men, siblings, and the role of the people around them. You may spot some underlying themes of faith and religion in there too – not uncommon in Irish fiction in my experience.

Rooney’s writing style is unconventional and often unemotional, but it does the job beautifully, especially once she swings open the bedroom door.

And that’s my two cents’ worth.