Intermezzo is Irish writer Sally Rooney’s most recent novel. It explores similar themes to her previous books, Conversations with Friends, Normal People, and Beautiful World, Where Are You. They all interrogate the search for love or meaningful connection with other people.
In Rooney’s previous novels, a common theme has been the relationship between a young woman and an older man, frequently a man who is a mentor to the young woman. Intermezzo is slightly different. It follows the love loves of brothers Peter, a successful Dublin barrister in his thirties and Ivan, a chess champion ten years his junior. Peter has two women in his life, one the same age as him and the other a much younger woman. In contrast, Ivan falls in love with an older woman. As readers, we witness how Peter and Ivan navigate their relationships with the women in their lives as well as between themselves.
As with her previous novels, Rooney writes sex scenes that ring true and express the personalities of the people involved. When they are not making love, the characters walk the streets, undecided about what to do next. Rooney’s characters are all very self-aware and often highly educated, people who often compare themselves to characters in literature.
Sometimes the degree of hesitation and rehearsal in the characters appears extreme. That said, of all Rooney’s novels, I enjoyed Intermezzo the most. The characters seemed more mature than those in previous novels. Being closer in age to the brothers’ mother I particularly enjoyed the dialogue between mother and sons. I say the same things myself.
Rooney’s writing style is another source of pleasure in Intermezzo. Rooney is an accomplished writer who maintains a good pace and is masterful in her use of sensual detail to draw readers into a scene. Ivan’s love for the family dog is a case in point.
I was sorry when I finished reading this novel. For a while there, I lived in my imagination in Ireland and really cared about the characters. If you don’t mind a bit of indecision and a lot of rain, this novel is for you.
