Sally Rooney has already established herself as an extremely talented author with her previous novels, but with “Intermezzo”, she’s proven her talents as a writer have only strengthened since “Normal People”. Despite criticism that her work is too trivial, and focused on romance, “Intermezzo” proves that her ability to dissect the complexities of connection doesn’t only lie in romantic relationships, familial might even be her strong suit.
The novel revolves around two brothers, Peter and Ivan, who are forced to confront their strained relationship after their father’s death. Peter, a successful barrister in Dublin, has a long and complicated history with Sylvia, his ex-girlfriend, and a more carefree, physically charged relationship with Naomi, a much younger lover. Ivan, awkward and more reserved, is embroiled in a romantic affair with Margaret, a woman much older than he is.
The alternating narratives of Peter and Ivan are written in two entirely different styles. While Ivan’s chapters are more matter-of-fact, and how Rooney normally writes, Peter’s are like their own book entirely, written in the convoluted manner of Peter’s thoughts. Peter’s narration, though often fragmented and difficult to follow at first, offers an intimate glimpse into a man struggling to reconcile his desires and disappointments. Ivan’s sections, in contrast, are more composed, a calm counterpoint to Peter’s erratic thoughts. It’s this contrast that captures the novel’s central theme: despite the deep connection the brothers share, their astute differences cause an inability for them to truly communicate their feelings.
“Intermezzo” is, at its core, a story about love, both romantic and familial. The brothers’ relationship is layered with years of complicated resentment, affection, and guilt, and Rooney’s exploration of this is as compelling as the romantic entanglements that unfold around them. The love stories in “Intermezzo” are messy, and outside the realm of today’s social norms, but they are also achingly real. With these romances, Rooney shows that love doesn’t always fit into the binary they’re expected to fit into.
While the content of the book can get heavy at times, especially when Rooney writes about Ivan and Peter’s complicated relationship, but the romantic relationships in the book can be a nice breath of fresh air at times. Ivan’s and Margaret’s relationship especially was quite charming, and a big contrast from the almost overwhelmingly sad sections where Peter would talk about his innermost thoughts. While Ivan could be immature and act quite impulsively at times, his sections were for the most part more lighthearted and focused around his fast growing feelings for Margaret.
“Intermezzo” may not be a book for everyone, but for those who appreciate Rooney’s sharp, reflective style, this might be her best book yet. She was able to perfectly capture complicated sibling and romantic relationships, write two completely different characters in two different writing styles, and once again break her readers’ hearts and put them back together again.
