Sally Rooney Prep Guide: Get Ready for "Intermezzo!”
Sep 23 2024

Calling all Sally Rooney stans! What book do you recommend for first-time Rooney readers? With her new book “Intermezzo” dropping on September 24th, it’s time for a little refresher. Whether you’re an OG fan of Normal People or new to her nuanced worlds of emotionally intelligent yet somehow emotionally avoidant characters, this guide will get you ready to vibe with all things Rooney. Let’s dive into her most iconic works—both on paper and on screen!


Step 1: “Conversations with Friends” (Book)
If you haven’t read “Conversations with Friends” yet, now is your chance. This is peak Rooney: 20-something-year-olds navigating complicated relationships, friendships, and, of course, their own existential crises. Meet Frances, a poet who’s a little too cool for feelings (but who’s kidding who?), and Bobbi, her enigmatic ex-girlfriend turned best friend. Add a married couple, Melissa and Nick, into the mix, and watch the messy dynamics unfold.Key takeaway: Everyone’s sleeping with someone they probably shouldn’t be, and you’ll obsessively highlight all the subtly devastating lines that make you feel seen.Step 2: “Conversations with Friends” (TV Show)
Now that you've read the book, binge the TV adaptation on Hulu (or your preferred streaming service). It’s a slow burn, but that’s the charm. Just like the book, this isn’t a fast-paced drama—more like a deeply introspective mood piece. Watch as Frances and Nick’s affair heats up and then cools down...and then heats up again.Fun tip: Keep an eye out for the gorgeous Dublin scenery. It’s basically a co-star.Step 3: “Normal People” (Book)
Next up: the book that made Rooney a household name, “Normal People.” If you haven’t experienced the emotional rollercoaster of Connell and Marianne’s “will-they-won’t-they” romance, you’re in for a treat. These two Irish teens are polar opposites—he’s quiet and popular; she’s misunderstood and lonely—but their connection is undeniable.Warning: Be prepared to fall headfirst into their on-again, off-again love story, complete with awkward misunderstandings and heart-wrenching moments.Step 4: "Normal People" (TV Show)
You have to follow up the book with the TV show! “Normal People” (also on Hulu) beautifully captures the intensity of Connell and Marianne’s relationship. And, let’s be honest, the chemistry between Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones is chef’s kiss. It’s visually stunning and emotionally charged—every look, every silence, feels like it could break you.Pro tip: Keep tissues handy for Episode 10. If you know, you know.Step 5: "Beautiful World, Where Are You" (Book)
Before we get to Intermezzo, let’s not forget Rooney’s "Beautiful World, Where Are You," her 2021 novel that tackled relationships, work, friendship, and the anxieties of being a millennial in a world that’s falling apart. This one takes a step back from her previous stories of youthful angst and gives us older, slightly more seasoned characters—Alice, Felix, Eileen, and Simon—grappling with love and purpose in a modern world.Bonus: The email exchanges between Alice and Eileen? Still trying to figure out!Step 6: Get Excited for “Intermezzo!”
Now that you’ve devoured Rooney’s earlier works, it’s time to gear up for Intermezzo. We don’t know too much yet, but expect more of that classic Rooney mix of complicated relationships, intense internal monologues, and characters who are somehow both self-aware and completely lost. The release is just around the corner, so get ready for another deep dive into the messy world of modern love.Whether you’ve read the books, watched the shows, or both—Sally Rooney is all about those relatable, awkward moments that make you question everything. So, buckle up, grab your Intermezzo pre-order, and get ready for more of that Rooney magic!
Conversations with Friends
By Sally RooneyWritten with gemlike precision and marked by a sly sense of humor, Conversations with Friends is wonderfully alive to the pleasures and dangers of youth, and the messy edges of female friendship

Normal People
By Sally RooneyNormal People is the story of mutual fascination, friendship and love. It takes us from that first conversation to the years beyond, in the company of two people who try to stay apart but find that they can’t.

Beautiful World, Where Are You
By Sally RooneyBeautiful World, Where Are You is a new novel by Sally Rooney, the bestselling author of Normal People and Conversations with Friends.