
By Giulia Piceni. Cover image: Anja Stroka for I’M Firenze Digest.
Have you ever heard about Sally Rooney’s Intermezzo? The Internet likes to call her “Colleen Hoover for thought girls” and I would wholeheartedly agree that this description captures the essence of her writing, including both its strengths and weaknesses. Sally Rooney, the acclaimed Irish author known for her successful novel Normal People, has established her reputation through her unmistakable style with no quotation marks in dialogue, sharp, minimalist prose, and emotionally charged plots. She has become the go-to author in the literary world for raw, relatable traumas that resonate with readers, leaving them with plenty to discuss or even cry about.

Her latest novel, Intermezzo, delves into the lives of two brothers navigating the recent loss of their father while juggling the messy realities of love, ambition, and work. True to her signature plots, Rooney shines her spotlight on characters in their early twenties, a stage of life she consistently explores in depth.
This article will not only highlight reasons to pick up a Sally Rooney novel but also provide insights into the dynamics of Intermezzo.
Sally Rooney’s Intermezzo: why is the book of the moment
Along the way, we’ll unpack how Rooney’s trademark exploration of the struggles faced by twenty-somethings enriches the story, weaving universal themes into the book’s narrative.
So, sit back, relax, and prepare to immerse yourself in Rooney’s world. For an added experience, why not enjoy this chef’s kiss playlist while you read?
1. In Sally Rooney’s Intermezzo Heightened Emotions Leave Space for New Definitions of Love
The twenties are a transformative time when emotions run high. Love for friends, family, or even a beloved pet—like Alexei, the charming dog in Intermezzo—hits harder than ever. It’s a period where everything feels intense, immediate, and profound.
Ivan, just 23, is the youngest of the brothers in Sally Rooney’s story. Recently graduated and a rising star in the chess world, he has temporarily set aside his passion to care for their father during his illness. It’s during a chess tournament that he meets Margaret, a 36-year-old divorced organiser of cultural events. Their chemistry is immediate, and an unconventional love story begins to unfold between them, regardless of social norms. Yet, when Ivan tries to share his excitement and concerns with his brother Peter, he faces resistance.
Peter, a 33-year-old lawyer, is quick to judge his brother, yet he is not without contradictions himself. He is having an affair with Naomi, a 22-year-old university dropout who makes ends meet by selling her nudes online. Initially, Naomi serves as a physical stand-in for Sylvia, Peter’s true love, who, after a tragic accident that left her physically impaired, can no longer engage in a sexual relationship. This arrangement, intended to allow Peter to maintain a semblance of “normalcy”, is scrutinised and questioned throughout the story, highlighting the complexity of love and how it cannot be universally defined in a single form.

2. Intermezzo and the Emotional Rollercoaster of Family in Your Twenties
The twenties are a time when family relationships often feel like an emotional rollercoaster, reminiscent of the tumultuous period of adolescence. It can feel as though you are 15 again —fearful of the world, overwhelmed by upcoming responsibilities, and unsure about how to face reality. This transitional phase of life is referenced in the book’s title, as intermezzo signifies a shifting moment between one act and the other. During this time, you might feel out of balance. Also, for the first time, you may begin to realise that your dynamic with your parents is slowly changing: they become increasingly dependent on you, and you are confronted with the unsettling truth that they are not eternal.
In Intermezzo, Ivan, the younger of the two brothers, lives with their ailing father and feels his loss more deeply due to their proximity. Meanwhile, Peter, who already lives independently in a big city, struggles with feelings of detachment and regret, unable to reconcile his emotions. He failed to communicate with their father when he was still alive, missing the chance to bridge the gap between them, and now that opportunity is forever lost. This loss has left both brothers feeling estranged from reality, forcing them to question how they have lived and how they continue to live in the absence of a loved one. Like teenagers adrift in uncharted waters, they find themselves struggling to make sense of a new and unfamiliar world.
3. Nothing Will Be Perfect. But That’s Okay
In Sally Rooney’s Intermezzo it’s clear that this is a time to embrace life with all its imperfections. The pursuit of perfection is futile; the goal is simply to keep moving forward. When the fear of running out of time looms, remember that everyone progresses at their own pace. Don’t be too hard on yourself; you’re here to learn first how to survive, then how to truly live. If life brings you pain, take the time to endure it. Allow yourself to feel it fully, immerse yourself in it, and then find a way to keep going. You have your own recipe for happiness, so don’t let anyone dictate how you should pursue it.
In this context, Ivan’s character is deeply relatable. He constantly seeks perfection and self-fulfilment through chess, but he decides to step away from his passion due to the weight of his father’s severe health struggles. His choice to pause his career isn’t a failure; it is an act of love. With Margaret’s encouragement, he rediscovers the strength to chase his dreams and ultimately achieves the success he had always envisioned.
On the other hand, Peter feels the relentless pressure of life in his own way. He feels aimless and burdened, particularly by his struggles with monogamy. His journey serves as a reminder that life is a vast, uncharted territory where feeling lost is an inevitable part of the experience. Mistakes are unavoidable, but they shouldn’t stop you from striving toward your greatest aspirations. Ultimately, the twenties are just the beginning—a time to explore, stumble, and learn. As Sally Rooney’s characters affirm at the end of Intermezzo, what truly matters is that we continue to move forward.