Normal People: An Impressive Adaptation of an Equally Impressing Novel
US version of Normal People
by Avery Crotty
Reading is an experience incomparable to anything else. There’s something therapeutic about the ability to escape into an inanimate object—to leave behind the blue lights and persisting chirps and bells that have become an unavoidable part of daily life. Despite the rapid development of technology, losing your surroundings to descriptions of lush forests, gory battles, and romantic dialogues remains one of the most magical experiences known to man. In years past, the world of literature never deigned to cross paths with the entertainment industry. The bookworms and film junkies stayed in their respective places, committed to different areas of media enjoyment.
As technology has become increasingly important, literature has adapted, pursuing relevance in the modern day by way of adaptations. Bestselling series are given a massive budget and turned into movies. As for readers, the response to their favorite books being transformed for the screen is generally unenthusiastic. Years and years of disappointing adaptations have solidified the conception that no book-turned-movie is good, and none will ever be better than the book. Commonly, important aspects of books that are extremely important to readers are often left to the wayside— these aspects spanning from unique character quirks to the passing of time as a whole. As a reader myself, I’ve generally agreed with these judgments, choosing to separate the book from the movie as much as possible. This all changed when I watched the critically acclaimed series “Normal People”.
Alternative cover for Normal People
Normal people, a novel by the Irish author Salley Rooney, gained popularity in the mid 2010’s via social media. Readers in were enthralled by the simple story of love and were blown away by their personal similarities to the main characters, Connell and Marianne. The book was extremely successful, and beautifully documented the relationship of two young adults from County Sligo, in Ireland. The beauty of the story lies in the nature of their love, how it develops, and how through the span of years they weave in and out of each other’s lives.
In May of 2019, BBC Three and Hulu announced a 12-episode series set on adapting the book to screen, and it’s safe to say that readers were nervous. Many worried that the way in which Rooney artfully navigates the thoughts and emotions of the characters wouldn’t carry across to a film. The novel was praised for its subtleties, exemplifying the human thought process, especially in young people. Rooney manages to take a common set of experiences and make them into a masterpiece. In this, she memorialized the feelings and lives of other people—normal people.
One of the details of Rooney’s writing that sets her apart from other authors is her attention to the internal landscape of the characters. While many believed that this would be difficult to translate onto the screen, the phenomenal performances from actors Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal changed their minds. From their resemblance many people’s perceptions of the characters to their personal similarities to Connell and Marianne, Edgar-Jones and Mescal seemed to become their characters. Their identities became intertwined with the story, showing viewers their commitment to the series as well as their commitment to acting. Many important details from the book are not directly stated, instead the expressions and movements of the actors and intricacies of the cinematography capture the things left unsaid.
Moreover, "Normal People" successfully captures the essence of time, a narrative element that often proves elusive in visual adaptations. The novel spans several years, tracing the evolution of Connell and Marianne's relationship through the ebb and flow of time. The series achieves this fluidity seamlessly, employing cinematography and storytelling techniques that immerse the audience in the characters' transformative journey.
In the realm of book-to-screen adaptations, the synergy between writing, direction, and performance is pivotal. "Normal People" not only mirrors the narrative but elevates it through a cinematic language that adds layers to the storytelling. It stands as a testament to the possibilities inherent in adapting literature for the screen when done with meticulous care and a deep understanding of the source material.
As I reflect on my initial reservations about the adaptation, "Normal People" stands as a beacon of hope, disproving the idea that every book-to-screen transition is destined for disappointment. In celebrating its success, we are reminded that in the right hands, a television series can capture the essence of a novel, breathing new life into a beloved story while offering a visual feast for both devoted readers and newcomers alike.
