I was a big fan of Sally Rooney’s Normal People when I read that and so when I saw Intermezzo was receiving rave reviews, I knew this could well be another of hers that I fell in love with.
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The story is fairly simple, focusing on the story of two brothers who are grappling their separate relationships in their own way. There are no thrills or fast-paced action moments, just some brilliant writing and raw, believable characters.
Intermezzo plot – 4.5/5
As I said before, the plot of Intermezzo isn’t exactly going to blow your mind. The book focuses on two brothers and how they’re dealing with their own relationships. One brother gets involved with an older lady and thus that story is about how that’s going to work in the long run. Then the other brother is in a very surface-level relationship with one woman after his previous relationship broke down because she thought she couldn’t give him what he wanted.
And that’s it really.
Now, that may not sound like a lot to get excited about, but the way that Sally Rooney writes their stories, describes their emotions and lays out the environment creates such an engrossing and deeply enjoyable tale.
It’s gritty, it’s raw and sometimes it’s a little uncomfortable but all of this just adds to the feeling that we’re reading a real story here about two genuine and believable characters. I was utterly engrossed throughout.
Intermezzo characters – 4.5/5
In almost the same breath, being able to describe the plot as I have, it feels like I can describe the characters in a very similar way. Our two main protagonists, the brothers, are so very different and yet, as you read more, seem to be quite similar at the same time. One is a fairly isolated, highly intelligent man, whilst the other is a successful and driven man, both in very different circles.
However, as the story unravels, they begin to realise they’re more alike than maybe the circles in which they inhabit suggest and this brings them both closer but also further apart.
The women in their lives are also fascinating, with Rooney managing to extract real, defining personality traits out of the three, which I always think helps me as the reader define which we’re talking about but also gives you favourites and then those to vouch for. Despite very little from each of them, Rooney manages to build great characters across the board with subtle but brilliant writing.
Intermezzo final rating – 4.5/5
Intermezzo isn’t a page-turner in the traditional sense, but it is a deeply satisfying read for anyone drawn to well-crafted writing and authentic characters. It’s a quiet exploration of grief, family, and complexity that rewards patience and attention. It might not shake up your world, but it will stay with you long after the last page. The story is one of those novels that quietly sneaks under your skin without the need for grand gestures or explosive plot twists. It’s a beautifully written story that finds depth and honesty in the everyday struggles, raw emotions, and messy relationships of its characters. If you’re after endless action, this isn’t the book for you, but if you appreciate finely crafted prose and characters who feel wholly human—flawed, vulnerable, and sometimes painfully real—then Intermezzo will resonate.
