INTERMEZZO

This is the first book by Sally Rooney which we have added to the Den as we weren’t immediate fans of hit novels, 'Conversations with Friends' and 'Normal People'. However, 'Intermezzo' definitely ticked the boxes in the Den. This is a beautifully written story centred round the relationship of two brothers and their respective complicated love lives set against a background of dealing with grief. Rooney sensitively examines why society presumes that any relationship which breaks the traditional mould immediately signals failure.

The story, as the title suggests, covers an intermezzo in the relationship between the two Koubek brothers. Peter and Ivan are coping with the death of their 65 year old father. Cracks in their relationship have started to emerge after Peter, who is 10 years older than Ivan, gives his father’s eulogy without considering whether Ivan, who at 22 was closer to his father, would like to say a few words. Their relationship had been running into difficulties following the separation of their parents, when Peter was already starting a life in law with a great new girlfriend, whilst Ivan was left to live with their mother and her new husband and children.

Ivan is introverted and a gifted chess player but fears he is never going to make it as true champion. To get by, he freelances and attends an event in a small town outside Dublin where he competes with keen chess players simultaneously. The events co-ordinator is the gentle natured Margaret, recently separated from her alcoholic husband. To Ivan, she has a refreshing and understated outlook on life. Margaret is drawn to Ivan’s quiet intelligence and mature approach to life. Margaret offers Ivan a lift back to his digs after the event and they unexpectedly click and start seeing each other every weekend. But the elephant in the room is Margaret is 13 years older than Ivan. Whilst this causes her angst, Ivan accepts it for what it is. Rooney’s handling of this relationship is wonderful to read and you can completely understand their different approaches to whether they should be together or not.

When we meet Peter, he is in a terrible place suffering from insomnia psychosis and downing Xanas and Diphenhydramine with red wine. His life has been in turmoil since Sylvia, the woman he was destined to marry suffered an accident which has left her in considerable pain and unable to have an intimate relationship. The true nature of Sylvia’s accident is never revealed which makes this storyline all the more suspenseful, but Peter and Sylvia remain close and thrive on each other’s inquisitive intellect. To avoid commitment, he has chosen to have a casual relationship with a student called Naomi, who is outspoken, rough round the edges and again there is a mysterious background to her situation which is only hinted at. Peter finds he is in love with these two completely different women but is convinced he has to choose one over the other which only adds to his turmoil.

Rooney tackles the juxtaposition of these relationships. And behind the emotional turmoil are the 3 independently minded women who silently enable the brothers to try and resolve their rift. The change in Rooney’s style of writing, particularly for the two brothers adds a layer of maturity as it reflects their different state of minds. This exploration of the inner workings of the characters adds depth and relatability which for us made this book a more interesting read than her earlier work.