Sally Rooney has achieved another literary milestone with her fourth novel Intermezzo becoming the fastest-selling book in Ireland during 2024. The Irish author’s latest work received widespread critical acclaim, with many reviewers describing it as “utterly perfect” and her most mature work to date.
Critics Praise Rooney’s Literary Evolution
Sally Rooney has garnered unanimous praise from critics for Intermezzo, which many consider her most accomplished novel yet. Anthony Cummins of The Guardian called it “truly wonderful” and “a tender, humorous page-turner that delves into the complexities of grief.”
The Independent’s Jo Hamya awarded the book five stars, stating that She has “finally tapped into the full extent of her talent.” Critics noted the novel demonstrates greater confidence compared to her previous works.
Anna Bonet from The i described Intermezzo as “mature and profound,” suggesting it represents a culmination of Sally Rooney’s literary development. The consensus among reviewers indicates this marks a significant evolution in her writing style.
Shift in Focus from Female to Male Protagonists
Sally Rooney made a deliberate departure from her typical female protagonists in Intermezzo, instead focusing on two grieving brothers. The novel follows Peter, a 32-year-old Dublin barrister, and Ivan, his socially awkward 22-year-old brother who plays competitive chess.
The story explores how the brothers cope differently with their father’s death whilst navigating complex romantic relationships. She told The New York Times she simply “followed the story that unfolded” rather than consciously choosing male perspectives.
This narrative shift allows Rooney to explore brotherhood dynamics and male vulnerability in ways her previous novels hadn’t addressed. Critics praised her ability to capture authentic male voices and relationships.
Record-Breaking Commercial Success
Sally Rooney’s Intermezzo achieved remarkable commercial success upon its September 2024 release. Faber & Faber launched their “biggest trade campaign ever” to support the book’s publication, reflecting enormous anticipation from readers worldwide.
The novel became Ireland’s fastest-selling book of 2024, surpassing even Sally Rooney’s previous bestsellers. Beautiful World, Where Are You previously sold over 40,000 copies within five days of its 2021 release.
Bookstores organised midnight launch events reminiscent of Harry Potter releases, demonstrating Sally Rooney’s unique position in contemporary literature. These events highlighted her ability to generate mainstream excitement typically reserved for genre fiction.
Exploration of Grief and Complex Relationships
She centres Intermezzo around themes of grief, family dynamics, and complicated romantic relationships. The novel examines how the brothers process their father’s death whilst pursuing relationships with significant age gaps.
Peter navigates relationships with both his first love Sylvia and younger student Naomi. Meanwhile, Ivan becomes involved with Margaret, a 36-year-old arts program director. She uses these relationships to explore power dynamics and emotional vulnerability.
The title “Intermezzo” references both musical interludes and chess terminology, reflecting the novel’s exploration of transitional periods in life. Sally Rooney developed the story from watching chess tutorials during COVID-19 lockdowns.
Critical Analysis of Character Development
Sally Rooney received both praise and constructive criticism regarding character development in Intermezzo. Critics particularly appreciated the nuanced portrayal of the central brothers and their complex emotional landscapes.
However, some reviewers noted that secondary female characters seemed less developed. The Financial Times’ Shahidha Bari observed that Naomi resembled a “Gen Z interpretation of the Manic Pixie Dream Girl.”
Despite these minor criticisms, most critics agreed that Sally Rooney had successfully expanded her storytelling abilities. The novel demonstrates her capacity to create compelling narratives beyond her established comfort zone.
International Recognition and Influence
Sally Rooney continues maintaining her position as one of the most influential contemporary writers. Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people worldwide in 2022, recognising her cultural impact.
Her novels have been translated into over 47 languages, demonstrating global appeal that transcends cultural boundaries. Sally Rooney has become particularly popular in China and the United States, expanding her readership internationally.
The success of Normal People and Conversations with Friends television adaptations further cemented her cultural significance. Both BBC series received critical acclaim and introduced Sally Rooney’s work to broader audiences.
Political Engagement and Social Commentary
She maintains active engagement with political issues, regularly expressing views on global topics and social movements. Her novels consistently incorporate commentary on class dynamics, housing crises, and economic inequality.
Intermezzo continues this tradition with observations about wage labour, Dublin’s housing crisis, and monetary power dynamics. Sally Rooney seamlessly integrates political themes without overwhelming the narrative structure.
Her approach to political commentary has earned respect for its authenticity rather than performative activism. Sally Rooney addresses social issues through character experiences rather than didactic messaging.
Writing Process and Creative Development
Sally Rooney revealed her writing process began with Ivan’s character before discovering his brother Peter during creative development. She told The New Yorker that Peter’s personality became clear “in that moment of realisation.”
The age gap between brothers serves specific narrative purposes, with Peter seeing Ivan as childlike whilst Ivan views Peter as epitomising adulthood. Sally Rooney developed sympathy for both characters’ perspectives throughout writing.
Her approach demonstrates organic story development rather than predetermined plotting. Sally Rooney allows characters to guide narrative direction, resulting in authentic emotional complexity.
Literary Style and Technical Excellence
Sally Rooney continues refining her distinctive prose style, which critics describe as economical yet emotionally resonant. Intermezzo demonstrates more impressionistic writing compared to her typically spare approach.
The novel alternates between character perspectives, allowing readers insight into multiple emotional experiences. Sally Rooney masterfully handles dialogue, capturing conversation subtleties and human communication complexities.
Her technical improvements show continued growth as a craftsperson. Critics noted increased confidence in narrative voice and character development throughout Sally Rooney’s literary evolution.
Future Projects and Career Trajectory
Sally Rooney currently lives and works in Castlebar, County Mayo, continuing her writing practice away from metropolitan literary centres. She maintains relative privacy regarding future projects whilst focusing on current work quality.
Her career trajectory suggests continued literary significance for years to come. Sally Rooney has established herself among the foremost millennial writers, with each novel demonstrating artistic growth and commercial appeal.
The success of Intermezzo positions her for continued influence in contemporary literature. Sally Rooney has proven her ability to evolve artistically whilst maintaining the emotional authenticity that initially captured readers’ attention.
Sally Rooney’s Intermezzo represents a significant achievement in contemporary fiction, demonstrating her continued growth as both artist and cultural commentator. Her ability to combine commercial success with critical acclaim positions her among the most important voices in modern literature.
Read More: Benjamin Šeško Completes £74m Move to Manchester United
