Intermezzo, by Sally Rooney

 

Characters

Peter Koubek – older brother, lawyer Sylvia Larkin – professor, chronic pain Naomi – college student   Ivan Koubek – younger brother, chess champion Margaret Kearns – Peter’s age, runs arts and recreation center   Father – died of cancer at beginning of story   Christine – mother, left family when Ivan was 5 Frank – new husband Darren – son, 3 ½ years older than Ivan   Alexei – dog

 

For Discussion:

NOTE: All page numbers are from the hardback edition.

1.      There were a very small number of important characters in the novel.  How well did the author develop their personalities and feelings?  Which ones did you feel connected to?  Which ones would you have liked to know?

2.      Did you like the author’s writing style – no quotation marks, short incomplete sentences,  (see page 68 when describing Peter’s drug use), very long paragraphs sometimes four pages?  Was her writing style effective to the topic of the book?

3.      Grief was a major topic running throughout the novel, particularly with Peter.  How did the author handle this topic?  Was she effective?

4.      The author addressed other heavy subjects such as what work has value (page 107) and Jesus vs. God (pages 189-190).  Did this add to the novel for you or was it a distraction?

5.      Ivan was concerned about the environment and therefore would not fly or wear new clothes except for underwear?  What did that tell you about his character?

 

6.      Peter and Sylvia were in a serious relationship when Sylvia’s accident happened.  She told him she was not going to ruin his life and to leave.   At that point Peter threw a candlestick to the ground and eventually contemplated suicide.  Could this situation have been saved or handled differently?

7.      Peter also had a falling out with Ivan and stopped all contact with him.  Were these things Peter’s fault?  Should others have seen what a difficult time he was having after his father’s death and helped him?

8.      In the end, Peter and Sylvia decide to go ahead with what feels right to them which involved including Naomi in their relationship.  And then Margaret and Peter decide that perhaps all five will spend Christmas together and not worry about what others will think.  Do you think this will work?

9.      This book received multiple awards and mentions including being a finalist for the Barnes and Noble Book of the Year, Associated Press Top 10 Books of the Year, a Best Book of the Year by the New York Times and others.  Why do you think it received so much attention?  Would you recommend this book to a friend?  Why or why not?