Book Review: Intermezzo by Sally Rooney

Introducing Intermezzo by Sally Rooney - If you don’t know then get to know! The literary darling who can make even the most mundane of conversation sound like a philosopher's musings. Just when we thought Rooney has shown us all the layers of modern relationships, she’s back with her uniquely quiet, intense prose that cuts deep without ever raising its voice. 

Intermezzo digs into the male psyche through the contrasting perspective of Peter, a lawyer in his 30’s who is self-medicating to sleep and struggling to manage his relationships with two very different women, while his younger brother Ivan, a twenty-two year old chess prodigy who has always been socially awkward and learns to navigate his new relationship with an older woman as they’re thrown into the pangs of grief after the passing of their father. 

What I found interesting was how Rooney’s style of writing changed according to the character. When she writes about Peter it is in a sharp style highlighting the anxiety that he is facing. Short fast sentences. Mixed up thoughts, confusion. It’s jumpy. It’s heightened. It’s a very intelligent way to convey Peter’s state of mind. With Ivan, there is more of a relaxed flow. It’s easier to read as they produce a sense of calm and peace. You’d think the contrast of these two styles could be jarring, it’s far from it. It made me relate to the characters even more so. 

Rooney has created yet another profound, relatable exploration of how we connect, miscommunicate and leave marks on other people's lives. With her typical subtlety, the dialogue is so raw you almost feel like you’re eavesdropping. Intermezzo - meaning interval or pause. Perhaps Rooney is inviting her audience to pause, slow down, to read between the lines and to find the meaning of what is left unsaid. 

So, if you’re ready for a break from the louder parts of life, Intermezzo is a pause worth taking.