Can somebody explain the ending of Normal People to me

[happilybemused]

Ive just binge watched it and it just seemed to end very abruptly with no closure.

If you've read the book is the ending any different ie do we get more of a sense pf what would happen between them going forward.

Or were we suppose to draw our own conclusions?

Thanks

I just took it that they split up yet again.

Well that's 6 hours of my life I'm never getting back 😂

I think we’re just supposed to never know - they might end up together or might not..

Haven’t read the book so don’t know if it’s different.

@happilybemused

Same with the book...hours of my life I’ll never get back!

I binge watched it too and thought it was very good. I thought the ending was clear, Connell is going to New York, Marianne is staying in Ireland and no promises for what may or may not happen in the future.

I didn't finish the book. Is the programme worth watching?

Found the book boring and a complete non end, my friend (an English lit grad) thought it was one of the best books she’d ever read!

I saw it as they were both Boeing a healthy and settled place to do what they wanted, knowing they are there for each other in the future for when the time may be better

I saw it as they were both Boeing a healthy and settled place to do what they wanted, knowing they are there for each other in the future for when the time may be better

I also took it this way. That they'd finally reached a place where they could let this happen and it be ok.

It did make me cry though. It made me hope that it leaves room for a sequel.. but it probably would be as good.

Even though it was a sad ending, I think I'd have rather it ended like that, than for it to have been a 'and they lived happily ever after' or a worse ending (One Day!).

I felt the end signified them finally being secure enough to do other things and not be emotionally reliant on each other.
They spent their teenage years being depressed because they weren't happy without each other. When they were together they didn't communicate so there were lots of misunderstandings which led to more unhappiness.

I loved it. I found it really reflective of my own awkward teenage years.

Yea the book ends like that too. I thought the book was very boring and the characters tedious, my mum.and sister both recommended it to me saying it was amazing.

I haven't seen the end of the TV series, but the novel is quite clear. Connell will go to NY (assuming he can fund the course), Marianne will stay in Dublin. Marianne (we're in her POV for the finale) is the one urging him to go. She thinks that Connell may come back in a year, or never come back, or come back changed, and that they can never have again what they have now, but that each of them has changed the other for the better.

They love each other completely. Enough to wish everything good for the other, even if it is without them. Marianne loves his love of literature, it was she who said to change from Law to English and his course in NY could well set him on he path to his potential and his happiest/most rewarding future. She also has finally found a healthy place to be and love for herself via his love for her. Her healthiness and feeling of belonging is and hard won. That love won't die nor might it ever be relived.

Thank you for all your reply's. Really appreciated and helpful. Had completely missed the point.

I’m glad I wasn’t the only one op!

This is a good artist. Apparently in the book they talk about splitting up over a number of weeks rather than coming out of the blue.

https://mashable.com/article/normal-people-book-vs-tv-series/?utmsource=social&utmmmedium=facebook&utmcampaign=mash-com-fb-main-link&utmmcontent=entertainment

Article !

Marianne appears in Conversations with Friends, so we know a little bit about her future.

She does? Oh please say more. So want to know.

She is the editor of a literary magazine who employs the main character. That is all I can remember. I paid no attention to ger personal life [facepalm]

I need to read conversations with friends now!

You are being set up for series 2

You are being set up for series 2

I don't know if I want another one or not. I found it so perfect as it was, I'd be scared they'd ruin it. But it could also be so good. It would need to be the same directors etc I think.

I am living In Scandinavia and have not seen or heard anything of the book - although it could have been a massive hit here too. I watched it and don't really get it - perhaps I''m too old. Like the poster above saying 'it was too perfect'

Normal people - humourless, self obsessed, miscommunicating teens more like. I found all the sex a bit icky.