Anyone watched Normal People (spoiler warning)

[KeepWashingThoseHands]

I really enjoyed it initially and like a good romance drama but then just felt very depressed by the last few episodes with how Marianne is increasingly abused/exploited by males in her life.

Haven't read the book(s?). Will there with another series? I need happy endings!

The book is bloody dull. Don't bother. Very over-rated writer.

I started watching but yes, then started to find it really uncomfortable and never finished.

I've heard colleague describe it as "sweet" etc, unless she comes out on top in the end I didn't see it like that at all. I wouldn't want that relationship for my daughter

Her brother and the s& m guy in particular were very sinister. It was a desperately sad series in my eyes

I was recommended it by someone who said how amazing it was, and I really tried, stuck with it until episode 8, but it was far too dull and depressing for me. It was a chore to watch!

I didn't particularly rate the book. It was an easy enough read, but apart from Marianne an Connell I found some of the characters very one dimensional (her mother and brother for example).
A friend of mine described the book as "very milennial" which I think is true. I think you can tell the writer is very young. It sounds horribly condescending but I imagine her books would be so much better when she's older with more life experience.

It's one of the very few examples of the tv/film being better than the book!
The show very closely followed the plot of the book and the ending was the same. In my head the ending meant that Connell and Marianne had matured enough to be secure they don't always need to be physically together to stay together.
I don't think they should do another series. Although I wouldn't object to seeing any more semi naked footage of Paul Mescal.

I haven't watched the end of the TV series, but assuming it follows the novel closely, I wouldn't see the ending as sad -- Marianne is free of her awful family and is going to do a postgrad course in Dublin, and Connell has published his first story and has been accepted onto an MFA in NY. They've helped one another grow up.

There's a long thread on Telly Addicts that you might be interested in joining.

Lots of opinions and views

Is it worth sticking with? First episode seemed really dull I gave up

If you’re not into after the first episode then I wouldn’t bother with any more of it. I really enjoyed it but half way through I found the on again off again a bit boring and just felt like giving their heads a shake-all these silly misunderstandings that could have been resolved by finishing a sentence.

I liked it although the two lead characters are very frustrating.
Got me thinking about my first relationships as a teenager.

There’s a thread somewhere In telly addicts. as a PP has said. Seems it’s a bit ‘marmite’.
There’s also a thread saying the sex was a bit much. 🤷‍♀️

I found the book ok, the tv series so uninspiring that I still haven't finished it.
Conor is no hero; he lumps around moodily and doesn't take the initiative on anything.
He is enabling Marianne's abuse.

My daughter says her friends think it's ace but she can't see it.
It may be an age thing. The older ones among us can see through the bullshit.

Interesting - so think after this I'll skip the book and need to find the telly addict thread.

Hopefully can find more recommendations on how to spend/waste my time :)

Thanks!

Here's the thread

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/telly_addicts/a3892899-Normal-People-on-BBC3?msgid=96928469