Book Review: Intermezzo

Intermezzo
By Sally Rooney
Review by Claudia

Intermezzo can be described as the next episode in Sally Rooney’s series of novels about young adults and adult-adults figuring out what to say to each other, and how much they mean when they say it. Two brothers born ten years apart are adjusting to life without their father, who has passed away after a long illness. Peter tries to cope with his grief using socially acceptable means like not responding to his emails and combining sedatives with alcohol. Ivan, on the other hand, begins a surprising and wholesome relationship with Margaret, who is close in age to his older brother, and simultaneously finds himself lifted out of his chess ratings slump. Meanwhile their mother, who has long been on the fringe of their lives, keeps asking when someone will take responsibility for the family dog (please not her) and honing her ability to make every phone call an emotional tightrope walk.

This novel is written in signature Rooney style; no speech marks, long curls of characters’ downward spiraling thoughts, Catholic angst, functional commuter trains, some excellent steamy sections and those moments that make me want to shout, “oh for god’s sake, just say something!” Rooney captures so well the way that siblings can be hard and cruel to each other, the way we can react in the present day to slights and stings from years past with stored venom. Chess is crucial to the relationship of the brothers, and the novel is light on scenes where the game is closely depicted. There’s a taste of it in a match between Ivan and a friend, but only a taste, so chess lovers may find themselves shortchanged. Lovers of self-sabotage, however, will find their fantasies fulfilled. Highly recommend.

You can also listen to Josh’s review from RDU below