Sally Rooney's Intermezzo Released to Critical Acclaim

Sally Rooney's latest novel, Intermezzo, is considered her most moving and fully developed work to date. The story centers on two Irish brothers, Peter and Ivan Koubek, who navigate the complexities of love and grief following their father's death. Peter, a 32-year-old lawyer, is caught between his younger girlfriend and his ex, Sylvia, while 22-year-old Ivan, a socially awkward chess prodigy, starts a relationship with an older divorcee, Margaret. Critics have praised Rooney's delicate portrayal of relationships and her ability to capture the psychological ramifications of love and loss. The novel, while filled with grief, also offers humor and is seen as a return to form for Rooney, blending her signature conversational drama with a deeper exploration of what it means to be 'normal.' Intermezzo is noted for its rich character development and its setting in Dublin, drawing comparisons to James Joyce's Ulysses.