INTERMEZZO - Sally Rooney

This book explores the emotional lives of two brothers, Peter and Ivan Koubek, as they confront grief, love, and personal identity in the wake of their father’s death. Peter, a confident Dublin lawyer in his thirties, seems to have everything under control, yet behind closed doors, he’s struggling. His inability to sleep without medication and his torn feelings between Sylvia, his enduring first love, and Naomi, a carefree college student, expose the cracks in his polished exterior. Rooney masterfully captures how Peter’s success becomes a mask, hiding the deeper pain and confusion that comes with loss and the search for emotional fulfillment.

Ivan, a 22-year-old competitive chess player, stands in stark contrast to his elder brother. His introverted nature and self-perceived awkwardness make him feel disconnected from others, especially from Peter. When Ivan meets Margaret, an older woman with her own complicated past, their connection becomes a turning point in his emotional journey. The tenderness and vulnerability between Ivan and Margaret feel authentic, as Rooney explores how unexpected relationships can offer solace during times of grief. Through Ivan’s character, we see a quieter, more introspective struggle with identity and belonging.

What Rooney does best in *Intermezzo* is to weave the brothers’ stories together, showing how grief impacts their relationships in different ways but also draws them closer. The novel is a tender meditation on the ways we try to hold ourselves together when life feels overwhelming. Despite the heavy themes of loss and emotional disconnection, there is a sense of hope and possibility throughout the narrative. Rooney’s writing is both sharp and empathetic, making *Intermezzo* a deeply human exploration of love, family, and the quiet resilience that can emerge from pain.