Sally Rooney’s latest novel, Intermezzo, has received widespread critical acclaim. Whilst Rooney’s previous novels have typically followed a female protagonist, Intermezzo focuses on the relationship between two grieving brothers with seemingly little in common. Ivan, a 22-year-old chess player, is described as a “complete oddball”, whilst his older brother, Peter is a smooth-talking barrister. The novel has been praised for its handling of themes such as intimacy, communication, and grief.
Critics have described Intermezzo as Rooney’s richest treatment yet on romantic entanglements. Anthony Cummins of The Guardian called the novel “utterly perfect”, whilst Anna Bonet of The i hailed it as Rooney’s “best book yet.” Despite these accolades, Bonet also noted that Intermezzo was not without its flaws, pointing out that some of the subsidiary female characters were not as fleshed out as they could have been.
Rooney has stated that she did not feel that she “had to write a book where the male voice is central.” Instead, she said she “felt her way through the story that seemed to emerge when I encountered these characters.” Discussing her approach to writing, Rooney emphasises the importance of making every book the perfect version of itself, rather than worrying about how it will be perceived in relation to her other work.
Intermezzo is Rooney’s fourth novel, with her previous works Normal People and Conversations with Friends both receiving adaptations in recent years. Whilst some critics have noted that Intermezzo departs from the spare style that characterises Rooney’s earlier works, others have praised it for venturing outside of her formal comfort zone. Nonetheless, Intermezzo has been almost universally acclaimed as a poignant and compelling read
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