Critics at Large | The New Yorker Sally Rooney’s Beautiful Deceptions
Sally Rooney's latest novel, 'Intermezzo,' dives deep into the complex relationships between brothers and the heavy themes of grief. The hosts play a lively game of Rooneyverse bingo, exploring recurring motifs in her work. They analyze the philosophical layers of her stories, such as mastery and personal identity, while reflecting on her status as a millennial voice. The discussion underscores Rooney's ability to both captivate and challenge readers, showcasing her knack for making the profound relatable and binge-worthy.
46:53
Rooney Mania
- Sally Rooney's novels are anticipated with midnight release parties and branded merchandise.
- This hype, reminiscent of Harry Potter, includes bucket hats, coffee trucks, and dog bandanas.
A Sadder Rooney
- Rooney's "Intermezzo" is considered her saddest and most accomplished work.
- It explores sadness, grief, and the characters' inability to cope with tragedy.
The Good Life?
- "Intermezzo" explores the classic philosophical question of 'the good life'.
- It presents an idealized domesticity juxtaposed with the characters' struggles with grief and relationships.
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Intro
00:00 • 4min
Exploring Rooney's 'Intermezzo': Brothers and Behavioral Dynamics
03:38 • 17min
Exploring Mastery and Spirituality in Rooney's Works
20:31 • 5min
Exploring Grief and Relationships in Rooney's Narrative
25:42 • 8min
The Cultural Impact of a Millennial Voice
33:26 • 2min
Capturing Generational Essence: The Impact of Sally Rooney
35:44 • 12min
The Enduring Pleasure of Literary Engagement
47:53 • 3min
Normal People
Sally Rooney
Normal People is a character-driven novel that delves into the intricate relationship between Marianne and Connell, starting from their high school days in County Sligo, Ireland, and continuing through their university years at Trinity College Dublin. The story explores themes of love, class division, mental health, and the complexities of human connection. Marianne, from an upper-class background with an abusive family, and Connell, from a working-class background, engage in a secret relationship in high school due to Connell's fear of social judgment. As they grow and navigate different social worlds, their relationship is marked by periods of intense connection and separation, influenced by their socioeconomic backgrounds and personal insecurities. Rooney's writing is characterized by its spare prose, detailed character development, and a deep exploration of the psychological and emotional nuances of the characters[2][4][5].
Intermezzo
Sally Rooney
Sally Rooney's "Intermezzo" is a short story that delves into the complexities of relationships and the search for meaning in life. Rooney's signature style is evident in the story's sharp wit and insightful observations about human nature. The characters are relatable and flawed, their struggles and triumphs resonating with readers. The story's exploration of themes of love, loss, and identity is both poignant and thought-provoking. Rooney's ability to capture the nuances of human emotion is evident in every line, making "Intermezzo" a captivating and unforgettable read.
Beautiful World, Where Are You
Octavi Gil Pujol
Sally Rooney
Sally Rooney's "Beautiful World, Where Are You?" delves into the complexities of modern relationships, exploring themes of intimacy, identity, and the challenges of navigating life in a rapidly changing world. The novel follows the intertwined lives of two friends, Alice and Eileen, as they grapple with their personal and professional lives. Rooney's signature style of sharp dialogue and introspective narration creates a compelling narrative that resonates with readers. The book examines the pressures of social media, the search for meaning, and the enduring power of human connection. It's a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the search for belonging in a world that often feels overwhelming.
Conversations With Friends
Sally Rooney
The book follows Frances, a 21-year-old college student and aspiring writer, and her best friend Bobbi, as they navigate their relationships with an older married couple, Melissa and Nick. The novel delves into themes of youthful idealism, the challenges of intimacy, and the intricacies of human connections. Frances's inability to be vulnerable and her complex relationships with Bobbi, Nick, and Melissa form the core of the narrative, highlighting the tensions and misunderstandings that arise from their interactions. Rooney's writing is praised for its sharp dialogue, insightful character observations, and its exploration of modern romance and friendship[1][3][4].
Daniel Deronda
George Eliot
Published in 1876, 'Daniel Deronda' is George Eliot's final novel and a thought-provoking exploration of love, identity, and society. The story follows the lives of Gwendolen Harleth, a beautiful but spoiled and selfish young woman, and Daniel Deronda, a selfless and alienated man searching for his true origins. The novel delves into the complexities of Victorian society, including imperialism, the oppression of women, and racial and religious prejudice. Daniel's journey leads him to discover his Jewish heritage and become deeply involved in the nascent Zionist cause, while Gwendolen navigates a troubled marriage and seeks redemption. The novel is notable for its sympathetic portrayal of Jewish culture and its critique of antisemitism, making it a radical and controversial work in its time[1][3][5].
Middlemarch
George Eliot
Middlemarch, written by George Eliot, is a novel that delves into the complexities of provincial life in 19th-century England. The story revolves around the intersecting lives of its characters, particularly Dorothea Brooke and Dr. Tertius Lydgate, as they navigate marriage, vocation, and social class. Eliot critiques the conventional romance narratives of her time by portraying marriage as a complex and often problematic institution. The novel also explores themes of idealism, self-interest, hypocrisy, and the constraints on women's lives. Set in the fictional town of Middlemarch between 1829 and 1832, the novel incorporates historical events such as the Great Reform Act of 1832 and early developments in medicine. Eliot's realistic portrayal of ordinary human life, with its quiet tragedies and small triumphs, has made 'Middlemarch' a masterpiece of English literature.
Hamlet
William Shakespeare
The play revolves around Prince Hamlet's journey to avenge his father's murder, which was committed by his uncle Claudius. Hamlet's father's ghost appears and reveals that he was poisoned by Claudius, who then married Hamlet's mother, Gertrude. Hamlet feigns madness while he investigates and plots his revenge. The play explores themes of betrayal, mortality, and the human condition, culminating in a tragic finale where nearly all main characters die, including Hamlet, Claudius, Gertrude, and several others[1][3][5].
The Corrections
Jonathan Franzen
My Struggle
Karl Ove Knausgaard
Don Bartlett
The 'My Struggle' series by Karl Ove Knausgård is a deeply personal and detailed account of the author's life. The books cover his childhood, his complex relationship with his father, his struggles with writing, and his experiences with love, family, and friendship. The series is known for its raw energy, candor, and the author's unique style of breaking down his life into its most mundane and elemental aspects. The books have received widespread critical acclaim and have been translated into numerous languages[5][6][7].
The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
null
James Joyce
James Joyce's "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man" is a semi-autobiographical novel that follows the intellectual and artistic development of Stephen Dedalus, a young man growing up in Dublin at the turn of the 20th century. The novel explores Stephen's journey of self-discovery, his struggles with religious faith, and his burgeoning artistic ambitions. Joyce's masterful use of language and stream-of-consciousness technique captures the complexities of Stephen's inner life, his emotional turmoil, and his artistic awakening. The novel is considered a masterpiece of modernist literature, its themes of self-discovery and artistic creation continue to resonate with readers today. It's a coming-of-age story that delves into the complexities of identity and artistic expression.
Those Winter Sundays
Those Winter Sundays
None
Robert Hayden
Almost immediately after the publication of Sally Rooney’s “Normal People,” in 2018, Rooney-mania hit a fever pitch. Her work struck a cord among a generation of readers who responded to evocative descriptions of young people’s lives and relationships. Before long, Rooney had—somewhat reluctantly—been dubbed “the first great millennial author.” On this episode of Critics at Large, Vinson Cunningham, Naomi Fry, and Alexandra Schwartz discuss “Intermezzo,” Rooney’s hotly anticipated fourth novel, which explores the dynamic between two brothers grieving the death of their father. The book is a sadder, more mature read than Rooney’s fans may have come to expect, but it retains her characteristic flair for making consciousness itself into a bingeable experience. “That is the great achievement of the realist novel for me,” Fry says. “The fact that Rooney is making this enjoyable for a new generation—amazing. Maybe it’s a conservative impulse, but there’s something reassuring for me about that.”
Read, watch, and listen with the critics:
“Conversations with Friends,” by Sally Rooney
“Normal People,” by Sally Rooney
“Beautiful World, Where Are You,” by Sally Rooney
“Intermezzo,” by Sally Rooney
“Those Winter Sundays,” by Robert Hayden
William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”
“Normal Novels,” by Becca Rothfeld (The Point)
“The Corrections,” by Jonathan Franzen
“My Struggle,” by Karl Ove Knausgaard
The Neapolitan novels, by Elena Ferrante
“Sally Rooney on the Hell of Fame,” by Emma Brockes (The Guardian)
“A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man,” by James Joyce
The Harry Potter novels, by J. K. Rowling
“Why Bother?” by Jonathan Franzen (Harper’s Magazine)
“Middlemarch,” by George Eliot
“Daniel Deronda,” by George Eliot
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