Literary Pulse: Intermezzo Reviewed

Last year, like many readers who keep up with BookTube and bookstagram, I too indulged in reading the works of Sally Rooney. After reading all her works, I found myself in a love-hate relationship with her works—captivated by her explorations of relationships but frustrated by the intentionally detached pacing of her books. Despite not being particularly fond of her work, when Intermezzo was released, I marched to my local bookshop to get my hands on a copy. 

Rooney’s Intermezzo is an exploration of grief, family dynamics and the many shades of love. At its core, the story follows two brothers with vastly different personalities as they cope with the loss of their father. 

Much of the novel feels like a delicate dance—its scenes measured and intentional, each moment capable of shifting the trajectory of a character’s life in profound yet understated ways. Rooney’s ability to craft memorable, deeply human characters is on full display. I deeply appreciate how she does not shy away from making writing unlikeable characters, in general, as it challenges me as a reader. 

Structurally, the shifting points of view throughout Intermezzo are seamless, with each character’s voice distinct and compelling—though I did find Peter’s perspective pulling me out of the narrative. The chemistry between Ivan and Margaret is palpable, a testament to Rooney’s skill in capturing relationships in all their nuance.

Rooney’s style of writing is often plain, almost clinical, mirroring the mundane yet revelatory moments of everyday life, likening her storytelling to Austen-esque narratives. 

The novel rewards patience, offering a chess-like interplay of characters whose moves and countermoves shape the emotional landscape. Its slow pace mirrors life’s own ebb and flow, culminating in an ending that, much like reality, suggests continuation beyond the page rather than a neatly tied conclusion.

Bonus content (for comic relief):

Here's me anxiously pretending to read at IKEA in attempt of getting a cute picture