The Booker Prize Podcast

Why Sally Rooney's Normal People is more than just a love story


Listen Later

Sally Rooney is one of the best-loved writers of her generation and her second novel, Normal People, has been overwhelmingly popular across the world – first in book form and then its TV adaptation. Nominated for the Booker Prize 2018, Normal People follows Marianne and Connell as they come of age and figure out their place in the world. It's a love story that has touched readers everywhere but it's also a novel that has something to say about class and politics, in particular. So tune in to this episode to hear Jo and James discuss our February Monthly Spotlight pick.


In this episode Jo and James:

  • Consider how the book became so popular
  • Whether the haters have a leg to stand on
  • Share a brief biography of Sally Rooney
  • Summarise the plot of Normal People
  • Discuss the themes explored in the novel

  • Reading list:

    • Normal People by Sally Rooney
    • Conversations With Friends by Sally Rooney
    • Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney


    • A full transcript of the episode is available at our website.


      Follow The Booker Prize Podcast so you never miss an episode. Visit http://thebookerprizes.com/podcast to find out more about us, and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok @thebookerprizes.

      Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

      ...more
      View all episodesView all episodes
      Download on the App Store

      The Booker Prize PodcastBy The Booker Prize

      • 4.4
      • 4.4
      • 4.4
      • 4.4
      • 4.4

      4.4

      59 ratings


      More shows like The Booker Prize Podcast

      View all
      Bookworm by KCRW

      Bookworm

      573 Listeners

      The Penguin Podcast by Penguin Books UK

      The Penguin Podcast

      148 Listeners

      The Book Review by The New York Times

      The Book Review

      3,855 Listeners

      The New Yorker: Fiction by WNYC Studios and The New Yorker

      The New Yorker: Fiction

      3,322 Listeners

      World Book Club by BBC World Service

      World Book Club

      365 Listeners

      Books and Authors by BBC Radio 4

      Books and Authors

      365 Listeners

      Bookclub by BBC Radio 4

      Bookclub

      236 Listeners

      Between The Covers : Conversations with Writers in Fiction, Nonfiction & Poetry by David Naimon, Tin House Books

      Between The Covers : Conversations with Writers in Fiction, Nonfiction & Poetry

      445 Listeners

      London Review Bookshop Podcast by London Review Bookshop

      London Review Bookshop Podcast

      128 Listeners

      Backlisted by Backlisted

      Backlisted

      580 Listeners

      The New Yorker: The Writer's Voice - New Fiction from The New Yorker by WNYC Studios and The New Yorker

      The New Yorker: The Writer's Voice - New Fiction from The New Yorker

      2,107 Listeners

      The Book Club Review by The Book Club Review

      The Book Club Review

      117 Listeners

      The Waterstones Podcast by Waterstones

      The Waterstones Podcast

      36 Listeners

      NPR's Book of the Day by NPR

      NPR's Book of the Day

      606 Listeners

      This Cultural Life by BBC Radio 4

      This Cultural Life

      104 Listeners