Intermezzo by Sally Rooney

I sat down to finish this in a coffee shop and had to leave because I started tearing up. Devastatingly beautiful, honest, precise — it articulates the inarticulable, but somehow never comes across as didactic or overly earnest. I've always been a certified Rooney Head™ and a Conversations With Friends purist, but here, I bend the knee. This is is her best work yet, full stop

On the shelf

8 months ago

Comments

James Kylstra

@jamesFeb 25, 2026

So good

Emily Teague

@emilyteagueMar 10, 2026

Based on your review, I grabbed this book and read it. What a quietly devastating, beautifully written story about grief, love, and the messy ways people try to care for each other. Great recommendation

Across Rec League

Intermezzo

Aya C

@ayaaaa

Phoebe Ward

@phoebeward

Levi

“Grappling with grief of a loved one, with what once was and what could have been. Battling the persona we've given ourselves and what society has given us vs who we really are. Spoiler: Horny”